Stargazer Cannabis Festival 2026: Your Complete Guide to Ohio's Biggest Weed Celebration

Mark your calendars: June 12-14, 2026. The Stargazer Cannabis Festival is returning to Waverly, Ohio for what's shaping up to be the state's most ambitious cannabis celebration yet. Spread across 80 acres of wooded venue along the scenic Scioto River, this three-day festival combines live music, cannabis competitions, educational workshops, and immersive art installations into an experience that sits somewhere between Bonnaroo and a really well-organized industry expo.

If you're in the Midwest and looking for the premier cannabis culture event this summer, this is it. Here's everything you need to know.

The Basics

When: June 12-14, 2026 (Thursday through Saturday)

Where: Waverly, Ohio (approximately 70 miles south of Columbus, along the Scioto River)

Setting: 80 acres of wooded festival grounds with river access, camping areas, and multiple stage areas

The venue itself is a significant part of the appeal. Unlike convention-center cannabis events that feel like trade shows with better lighting, Stargazer leans into the outdoor festival experience. Think wooded paths between stages, art installations tucked among the trees, and the kind of natural beauty that pairs particularly well with the festival's primary botanical focus.

Music Lineup

The 2026 lineup is still being finalized as of press time, but confirmed acts include performances across multiple stages. The Main Stage Friday features Austin & The Syd Experience, Colton Marner, and Harland The Rapper. Headliners confirmed so far include Reddy Red, Matt Keegan, and Andy Shaw Band.

The festival has historically blended genres—hip-hop, jam bands, indie rock, and electronic music all find representation. The musical programming runs from afternoon through late night across multiple stages, with the kind of curated flow that keeps you moving between acts without dead time.

For the most up-to-date lineup information, the festival's website (stargazerfest.com) maintains a dedicated lineup page that's updated as artists are confirmed.

Cannabis Programming

This is what separates Stargazer from a generic music festival. The cannabis-specific programming includes:

Cannabis Competitions

Expect flower competitions judged by panels evaluating appearance, aroma, flavor, effects, and overall experience. These events have become increasingly sophisticated, borrowing frameworks from wine and craft beer judging to provide structured, consistent evaluation. Categories typically include best sativa, indica, and hybrid, along with specialty awards for concentrates and edibles.

Educational Workshops

The workshop schedule covers territory from cultivation techniques for home growers to industry business development. Previous years have featured sessions on organic growing methods, terpene science, extraction technology, and navigating Ohio's evolving regulatory landscape.

For newcomers to cannabis, introductory sessions cover topics like understanding product labels, dosing fundamentals, and the differences between consumption methods. The educational programming aims to serve both the experienced enthusiast and the curious newcomer.

Immersive Art Installations

The wooded venue lends itself to art installations that reward exploration. Interactive light installations, sculpture, and multimedia pieces are distributed throughout the grounds—some announced, some discovered by wandering. After dark, the art programming takes on a different character entirely, with projection mapping and LED installations transforming the forest canopy.

Practical Considerations

Ohio Cannabis Laws

Ohio legalized adult-use cannabis in November 2023, with retail sales beginning in 2024. Adults 21 and older may possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and up to 15 grams of concentrates. Public consumption laws vary by municipality, and festival-specific policies will apply on the grounds.

Important: while cannabis consumption is permitted within the festival grounds under their event policies, driving under the influence remains illegal and enforcement on surrounding roads should be expected. Plan transportation accordingly.

Camping and Accommodations

The festival offers on-site camping across multiple tiers—from basic tent camping to premium glamping options. Given the rural setting, on-site camping is strongly recommended over attempting the drive from Columbus or other cities daily. Past attendees consistently report that the camping experience is integral to the festival's community atmosphere.

RV camping is available with limited hookup sites. Arrive early on Thursday for the best spots, as premium camping areas fill quickly.

What to Bring

For the experienced festival-goer, standard camping-festival essentials apply: comfortable shoes (the grounds are wooded and can be uneven), layers for temperature variation between day and night, rain gear (June in Ohio is unpredictable), sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. The Scioto River location means humidity is a factor—plan accordingly.

Cash is recommended for vendor purchases, though most vendors also accept cards. ATMs will be available on-site but expect lines.

The Broader Context

Stargazer exists within a growing ecosystem of cannabis festivals nationally. The industry has evolved from the days when cannabis events were essentially protest rallies with vendors. Events now attract over 20,000 professionals and enthusiasts at flagship gatherings, and the format has diversified: from consumption-focused festivals like Stargazer to B2B trade shows like Hall of Flowers to advocacy-centered events like the National Cannabis Festival in D.C.

What Stargazer does particularly well is bridge the culture gap. It's neither a pure industry networking event nor purely a party. It's the rare space where cultivators talk shop with consumers, where education happens alongside celebration, and where the community aspect of cannabis culture—often lost in the corporatization of the legal market—finds genuine expression.

Getting Tickets

Tickets are available through the festival's official website. Pricing tiers typically include single-day passes, full-weekend general admission, and VIP packages with enhanced access and amenities. Early-bird pricing tends to offer meaningful savings, so if you're committed, don't wait.

Group discounts are often available for parties of four or more—worth inquiring about if you're rolling with a crew.

The Verdict

For Midwest cannabis enthusiasts, Stargazer Cannabis Festival represents the best combination of music, education, community, and celebration available in the region. The outdoor setting, multi-day format, and dedicated cannabis programming create an experience that dispensary visits and home sessions simply can't replicate.

Whether you're a seasoned festival veteran or considering your first cannabis event, Stargazer's combination of accessible programming, beautiful natural setting, and genuine community atmosphere makes it an easy recommendation. Just remember: hydrate, pace yourself, and maybe pack an extra pair of dry socks. June in southern Ohio can get interesting.

See you on the Scioto.