2026 and 2027 Tattoo Conventions
Tattoo, piercing, and PMU conventions across the United States and Canada. Every date is verified with the promoter, the venue, or official ticketing.
October 2026
Villain Arts New Orleans Tattoo Arts Festival
UpcomingTattooErnest N. Morial Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Grand Rapids Tattoo Festival
UpcomingTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Next Level PMU
UpcomingPMUHilton Toronto/Markham Suites
Organizer: Next Level PMU
Workshops, business sessions, awards
November 2026
Hell City Tattoo Festival Columbus
UpcomingTattooHyatt Regency Columbus
Organizer: Hell City
Villain Arts San Antonio Tattoo Arts Festival
UpcomingTattooFreeman Expo Hall C
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Tampa Tattoo Arts Festival
UpcomingTattooTampa Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
January 2027
Amarillo Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooSpark by Hilton
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Vancouver Tattoo and Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooVancouver Convention Centre
Organizer: TLC Business Strategies
1st annual. Separate from the Vancouver Tattoo and Culture Show
Villain Arts Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooPennsylvania Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Ink Masters Chattanooga Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooEmbassy Suites by Hilton Chattanooga
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Villain Arts Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooHyatt Regency Minneapolis
Organizer: Villain Arts
18th annual
Ink Masters Atlanta Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedMixedLoudermilk Conference Center
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Tattooing and piercing
Villain Arts San Diego Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooDel Mar Fairgrounds
Organizer: Villain Arts
5th annual. Moved from February
Ink Masters Nashville Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooQuattro Evento Receptions
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival
ConfirmedTattooPalmer Events Center
Organizer: Golivefast
Villain Arts Maine Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooThompson's Point
Organizer: Villain Arts
5th annual. Moved from late February
February 2027
Villain Arts Jacksonville Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooPrime F. Osborn III Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Ink Masters Rosemont Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Ink Masters Grovetown Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedMixedColumbia County Exhibition Center
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Tattooing and piercing
Ink Masters Kansas City Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooMarriott
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Villain Arts Cleveland Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooHuntington Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
12th annual
Manitoba Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooAssiniboia Downs
Organizer: Manitoba Tattoo Expo
Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival Winter Edition
ConfirmedTattooBMO Centre Hall A, Stampede Park
Organizer: TLC Business Strategies
Ink Masters Austin Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooAustin Marriott South
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
7th annual
DC Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedMixedOrganizer: Exposed Temptations Tattoo and Exposed Arts Inc.
15th annual invitational. Tattooing, piercing, seminars
March 2027
Villain Arts Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooAmericasMart Building 3
Organizer: Villain Arts
10th annual
Ink Masters Odessa Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooEctor County Coliseum, Barn G
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Motor City Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooDetroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Organizer: Motor City Tattoo Expo
31st year. Seminars and contests
Ink Masters Killeen Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooKilleen Civic and Conference Center
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Four-day show
Villain Arts Charlotte Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooPark Expo Liberty Hall
Organizer: Villain Arts
6th annual
Little Rock Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Ink Masters Alamo City Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooHilton Garden Inn San Antonio-Live Oak
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Villain Arts Chicago Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooDonald E. Stephens Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
17th annual
Ink Masters Lake Granbury Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
April 2027
Edmonton Tattoo and Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooEdmonton EXPO Centre
Organizer: TLC Business Strategies
19th edition
Milwaukee Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooBaird Center
Organizer: Tattoo Fest
Separate from Villain Arts Milwaukee
Villain Arts Baltimore Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooBaltimore Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
19th annual
Ink Masters Pigeon Forge Tattoo Expo
ConfirmedTattooThe Ramsey Hotel and Convention Center
Organizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Villain Arts Raleigh Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooNC State Fairgrounds
Organizer: Villain Arts
6th annual
Memphis Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooGraceland
Organizer: Tattoo Fest
Toledo Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
May 2027
Villain Arts Cincinnati Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooFirst Financial Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
9th annual
Villain Arts St. Louis Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooAmerica's Center Convention Complex
Organizer: Villain Arts
3rd annual
St. Louis Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Separate from Villain Arts St. Louis
Villain Arts Kansas City Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooSheraton Crown Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
12th annual
June 2027
Villain Arts Omaha Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooCHI Health Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
9th annual
Saginaw Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Saginaw Tattoo Festival
Villain Arts Houston Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooNRG Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
9th annual
Toronto Tattoo Show (NIX)
ConfirmedTattooMetro Toronto Convention Centre
Organizer: Northern Ink Xposure
27th edition
Davenport Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Villain Arts Denver Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooNational Western Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
10th annual
Green Bay Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Villain Arts Oklahoma City Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooOKC Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
9th annual
Louisville Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
APP 30th Annual Conference and Exposition
ConfirmedPiercingPlanet Hollywood
Organizer: Association of Professional Piercers
Professional piercing conference and trade expo
July 2027
Pacific Ink and Art Expo
ConfirmedTattooNeal S. Blaisdell Center
Organizer: Pacific Ink and Art Expo
New July dates
Villain Arts Greensboro Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooGreensboro Complex
Organizer: Villain Arts
1st annual
Twin Cities Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Villain Arts Long Beach Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooLong Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
3rd annual
Lansing Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
August 2027
Villain Arts Nashville Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooThe Fairgrounds Nashville
Organizer: Villain Arts
6th annual
Villain Arts Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash
ConfirmedTattooWildwoods Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
17th annual
Fort Wayne Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Hell City Tattoo Festival Phoenix
ConfirmedTattooArizona Biltmore
Organizer: Hell City
Villain Arts Colorado Springs Tattoo Arts Festival
ConfirmedTattooNorris Penrose Event Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
4th annual
September 2027
Cedar Rapids Tattoo Festival
ConfirmedTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
2027 Dates TBA
Recurring events with no 2027 dates published by the promoter yet. We add dates once the official source posts them.
Villain Arts Palm Springs, Portland OR, Milwaukee, Syracuse, Meadowlands, Asheville, Savannah, New Orleans, Tampa, San Antonio
TattooOrganizer: Villain Arts
Promoter states the full 2027 lineup is not yet posted
Ink Masters Tattoo Show stops after April
TattooOrganizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Tour publishes week to week
Musink Tattoo and Music Festival
MixedOrganizer: Musink
Vancouver Tattoo and Culture Show
TattooOrganizer: Vancouver Tattoo Show
Separate from the January Vancouver Tattoo and Arts Festival
Saskatoon Tattoo Expo
Tattoo2026 ran Apr 10 to 12
Rive Sud Tattoo Expo
Tattoo2026 ran Apr 3 to 5
Pile O' Bones Tattoo Convention
Tattoo2026 ran Mar 13 to 15
NY Empire State Tattoo Expo
TattooOrganizer: NY Empire State Tattoo Expo
Capitol City Classic Tattoo Convention
TattooOrganizer: Capitol City Classic
Montreal Tattoo Show
Tattoo1st edition was June 2026
Kamloops Tattoo Show
Tattoo2026 ran Jun 12 to 14
Ink The 6ix Toronto Tattoo Expo
Tattoo2026 ran Jul 10 to 12
Art Tattoo Montreal
TattooOrganizer: Art Tattoo Montreal
Promoter site confirms a 2027 return, no dates
Golden State Tattoo Expo
TattooOrganizer: Sullen Clothing
SPCP 36th Annual Convention
PMUOrganizer: Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals
No 2027 city or date
Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival Fall Edition
TattooOrganizer: TLC Business Strategies
Next Level PMU
PMUOrganizer: Next Level PMU
Hell City Tattoo Festival Columbus
TattooOrganizer: Hell City
2026 moved to November
Days of the Dead Tattoo Expo
TattooOrganizer: Days of the Dead
Past 2026 Events (46)
Villain Arts Minneapolis Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooHyatt Regency Minneapolis
Organizer: Villain Arts
17th annual
Villain Arts Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooPennsylvania Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
28th annual
Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival
PastTattooPalmer Events Center
Organizer: Golivefast
Juried art-show format
Villain Arts Jacksonville Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooPrime F. Osborn III Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Ink Masters Grovetown Tattoo Expo
PastTattooOrganizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Villain Arts San Diego Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooDel Mar Fairgrounds
Organizer: Villain Arts
Ink Masters Rosemont Tattoo Expo
PastTattooOrganizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Villain Arts Maine Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooThompson's Point
Organizer: Villain Arts
Motor City Tattoo Expo
PastTattooDetroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Organizer: Motor City Tattoo Expo
30th annual
Villain Arts Atlanta Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooAmericasMart Building 3
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Charlotte Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooPark Expo Liberty Hall
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Chicago Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooDonald E. Stephens Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Omaha Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooCHI Health Center Omaha
Organizer: Villain Arts
Edmonton Tattoo and Arts Festival
PastTattooEdmonton EXPO Centre
Organizer: TLC Business Strategies
Villain Arts Baltimore Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooBaltimore Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Fraser Valley Tattoo and Culture Show
PastTattooOrganizer: Vancouver Tattoo Show
Villain Arts Kansas City Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooSheraton at Crown Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Toronto Tattoo Show (NIX)
PastTattooMetro Toronto Convention Centre
Organizer: Northern Ink Xposure
26th edition
Villain Arts Cincinnati Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooFirst Financial Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
8th annual
NY Empire State Tattoo Expo
PastTattooNew York Hilton Midtown
Organizer: NY Empire State Tattoo Expo
11th annual
Villain Arts St. Louis Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooAmerica's Center Convention Complex
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Palm Springs Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooPalm Springs Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
1st annual
Villain Arts Denver Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooNational Western Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
APP 29th Annual Conference and Exposition
PastPiercingPlanet Hollywood
Organizer: Association of Professional Piercers
Professional piercing conference and trade expo
Villain Arts Raleigh Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooNC State Fairgrounds
Organizer: Villain Arts
5th annual
Capitol City Classic Tattoo Convention
PastTattooDoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento
Organizer: Capitol City Classic
Villain Arts Oklahoma City Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooOKC Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Pacific Ink and Art Expo
PastTattooNeal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
Organizer: Pacific Ink and Art Expo
Villain Arts Long Beach Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooLong Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Portland Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooThe Rose Quarter
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Houston Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooNRG Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
8th annual
Ink Masters Anchorage Tattoo Expo
PastTattooOrganizer: Ink Masters Tattoo Show
Villain Arts Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash
PastTattooWildwoods Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
16th annual
Hell City Tattoo Festival Phoenix
PastTattooArizona Biltmore
Organizer: Hell City
Villain Arts Nashville Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooThe Fairgrounds Nashville
Organizer: Villain Arts
Great North Tattoo Fest
PastTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Art Tattoo Montreal
PastTattooGrand Quai du Port de Montreal
Organizer: Art Tattoo Montreal
22nd edition
Villain Arts Colorado Springs Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooNorris Penrose Event Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
3rd annual
Villain Arts Meadowlands Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooMeadowlands Expo Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Asheville Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooHarrah's Cherokee Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Syracuse Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooThe Oncenter
Organizer: Villain Arts
Golden State Tattoo Expo
PastTattooPasadena Convention Center
Organizer: Sullen Clothing
SPCP 35th Annual Convention
PastPMUOrganizer: Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals
Hands-on, limited-seat PMU convention
Villain Arts Savannah Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooSavannah Convention Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival
PastTattooBaird Center
Organizer: Villain Arts
Madison Tattoo Festival
PastTattooOrganizer: Tattoo Fest
Planning Your Convention Experience
Tattoo conventions are the perfect opportunity to get work from artists you admire, discover new talent, and immerse yourself in tattoo culture. Book early. Popular artists fill up fast.
For artists, conventions offer a chance to grow your client base, network with peers, and showcase your work to a wider audience.
Tattoo Convention FAQ
The questions that come up before every show. Policies vary by convention, so confirm details on each event's official site.
How do you get tattooed at a tattoo convention?
Two ways: book ahead or walk up. Most artists open convention books weeks in advance through their own pages, and popular artists fill up before the show. Many also take day-of walk-ups for flash designs, first come, first served. Check the artist list on the convention's site and reach out early.
Do you need a ticket to attend a tattoo convention?
Yes, almost always. Conventions sell day passes and weekend passes at the door or online, and getting tattooed does not include admission. You pay the entry fee plus the artist's rate. Check the convention's official site for current ticket prices before you go.
How much does a tattoo cost at a convention?
Expect normal studio rates or slightly higher. Artists price their own work, and many set convention-specific flash pricing or minimums to cover travel costs. Bring more than you think you need (cash is still preferred at many booths) and confirm pricing with the artist before you sit.
What should you bring to a tattoo convention?
Bring a government-issued photo ID (every reputable artist checks age), your payment method plus cash for tips, comfortable clothing that exposes the placement you want, water, and snacks. If you're getting tattooed, eat a real meal beforehand and plan loose clothing over the fresh tattoo for the trip home.
Can tattoo artists work at a convention in another state?
Usually yes, with paperwork. Most states and host cities issue temporary event permits so visiting artists can legally tattoo at the show, and the convention typically coordinates them. Requirements and fees vary by location, so artists should confirm the process with the promoter and the local health department well before the event.
Know of a convention we missed?
Help us keep this list complete. Drop us a line with the details and we'll add it to the calendar.
Submit a ConventionWant this handled automatically?
Apprentice sends consent forms, deposits, and prep instructions before clients arrive. No printing. No chasing. Everything signed and ready.