2026 US Tattoo Convention Calendar (By Month)
If you’re a tattoo artist, a good convention weekend can do a lot in a short time: new clients, stronger connections, guest spot leads, fresh inspiration, and real momentum. This guide is built for one thing—helping you quickly find announced 2026 tattoo events you can plan around.
How to use this page: Pick your open weekends → choose the closest city (or your favorite destination) → tap the Tickets / Hotel / Booth links under each show to confirm the latest details.
Jump to a Month
January · February · March · April · May–June · July · August · September · October · November
January 2026
Open January shows
Villain Arts — Minneapolis Tattoo Convention (MN)
Dates: Jan 9–11, 2026
City: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- For artists: Bring a “Convention Flash Menu” (size + price + time estimate). Faster decisions = more tattoos.
- For attending: Go in with a target list (artists you want to meet / vendors you want to check). Don’t wander for 6 hours.
- For content: Shoot a clean 4-shot set: flash wall → stencil → mid-session → fresh wrap close-up.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
Tip: On the Villain Arts site, open the Minneapolis event page to see ticket + hotel + booth details.
Days of the Dead — Las Vegas Tattoo Expo (NV)
Dates: Jan 16–18, 2026
City: Las Vegas, Nevada
- For artists: Vegas is a destination weekend—lock in some appointments ahead of time (deposit + time slots).
- For attending: Great show for vibe + culture + visuals. Plan extra time for networking.
- For content: Mix “tattoo” clips with “city” clips. That combo performs better than venue-only footage.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Vendor Info
Villain Arts — Philadelphia Tattoo Convention (PA)
Dates: Jan 23–25, 2026
City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- For artists: Big-city crowds reward clarity—show 2–3 strongest styles only. Don’t “everything-bagel” your booth.
- For attending: Watch how top booths handle deposits, scheduling, aftercare cards—steal the workflow.
- For content: Post in mini-series (3–5 clips same style). Consistency gets recommended.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival — Austin (TX)
Dates: Jan 30–Feb 1, 2026
City: Austin, Texas
- For artists: Texas crowds love readable flash—split your board into categories (traditional / lettering / small bangers).
- For attending: Pay attention to booth lighting and setup. “Looks clean” = “feels trustworthy.”
- For content: Do a 3-part story: prep day → show day → post-show recap (what you learned / what you booked).
Links: Tickets / Show Info · Hotel / Location · Booth / Contact
Villain Arts — Jacksonville Tattoo Convention (FL)
Dates: Jan 30–Feb 1, 2026
City: Jacksonville, Florida
- For artists: Strong weekend for volume—bring fast-moving designs you can finish same day.
- For attending: Pack business cards / stickers / QR page—guest spot conversations happen fast.
- For content: Film reactions + reveal shots (with consent). Social proof sells better than captions.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
February 2026
Open February shows
Villain Arts — San Diego Tattoo Convention (CA)
Dates: Feb 13–15, 2026
City: San Diego / Del Mar area, California
- For artists: Clean setup wins here—bring table covers, barriers, and keep your station photo-ready.
- For attending: Vendor aisles are gold. Compare aftercare, needles, transfer supplies, and workflow tools in one trip.
- For content: Drop a “San Diego show bookings open” post 3–6 weeks early. That’s where the money is.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
Note: Villain Arts has additional announced 2026 stops (Cleveland, Maine, Atlanta, Charlotte, etc.). Use the same site to open each city page for official dates and links.
March 2026
Open March shows
Motor City Tattoo Expo — Detroit (MI)
Dates: Mar 6–8, 2026
City: Detroit, Michigan
- For artists: Treat this like a serious show—bring your strongest portfolio pieces and clean booth branding.
- For attending: Split your day: 50% artist booths (inspiration), 50% vendors (tools you’ll use every week).
- For content: Close-ups win—linework, saturation, healed work reference. Keep it technical and clean.
Links: Tickets · Hotel / Venue · Booth / Vendor Info
DC Tattoo Expo #15 — Arlington (VA)
Dates: Mar 20–22, 2026
City: Arlington, Virginia (DC area)
- For artists: This show is known for a curated lineup—have your portfolio + socials ready if you’re pursuing booth opportunities.
- For attending: Great for high-quality networking. Go introduce yourself—this is where collaborations happen.
- For content: Share your process and why you tattoo the way you do. People remember the artist, not just the image.
Links: Tickets / Info · Hotel · Registration / Booth
Villain Arts — Chicago Tattoo Arts Festival (IL)
Dates: Mar 20–22, 2026
City: Chicago / Rosemont, Illinois
- For artists: Run a hybrid schedule: pre-booked appointments + a small block for walk-ups.
- For attending: Perfect “midwest anchor” show if you’re building a tour route.
- For content: Film a “Day at the Convention” vlog—prep → tattoo → wrap → recap. Simple, effective.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
April 2026
Open April shows
International Hudson Valley Tattoo Convention — Poughkeepsie (NY)
Dates: Apr 10–12, 2026
City: Poughkeepsie, New York
- For artists: Bring a clear deposit policy + aftercare cards. You’ll look more professional than 90% of booths.
- For attending: A great Northeast weekend trip—easy in/out and usually strong local traffic.
- For content: Post a recap: what styles were trending, what clients asked for, what you’re doing next.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Submissions
Ink Mania Fest — Tampa (FL)
Dates: Apr 24–26, 2026
City: Tampa, Florida
- For artists: This is a high-energy event—design your booth so people can “get it” in 5 seconds.
- For attending: Go with a mission: learn one new technique, meet one new collaborator, find one new vendor.
- For content: Write 10 quick shot ideas before you arrive. You’ll thank yourself later.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth
Villain Arts — Baltimore Tattoo Arts Festival (MD)
Dates: Apr 24–26, 2026
City: Baltimore, Maryland
- For artists: Research load-in and parking ahead of time. Saving your back is saving your money.
- For attending: Watch pricing strategies and how artists handle consultations in a loud environment.
- For content: Capture the customer journey (with permission): consult → stencil → tattoo → wrap → smile.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
May–June 2026
Open May–June notes
Villain Arts has multiple additional announced 2026 stops during May and June (Kansas City, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Denver, Raleigh, Oklahoma City, and more). For official dates + tickets/hotel/booth links, use the annual city list on their site: Villain Arts Official.
- For artists: If you’re touring, chaining two nearby cities often makes travel costs worth it.
- For attending: Pick the show closest to your client base—those contacts convert fastest after the weekend.
- For content: Build a “Tour Series” format and repeat it (same intro/outro). Consistency grows faster.
July 2026
Open July shows
Villain Arts — Houston Tattoo Arts Festival (TX)
Dates: Jul 24–26, 2026
City: Houston, Texas
- For artists: Summer heat = fatigue. Hydrate like it’s your job. Schedule micro-breaks.
- For attending: Great place to test what sells: quick bangers vs. higher-ticket custom work.
- For content: “Bookings open for Houston” posted early usually outperforms day-of posts.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
August 2026
Open August shows
Hell City Tattoo Festival — Phoenix (AZ)
Dates: Aug 14–16, 2026
City: Phoenix, Arizona
- For artists: Hell City crowds appreciate quality. Keep your booth clean and your work front-and-center.
- For attending: Bring a notebook. This is a show where you’ll actually learn from what you see.
- For content: Focus on details—texture, contrast, healed-work references. The pros notice.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Application
September 2026
Open September shows
Austin Tattoo Invitational — Austin (TX)
Dates: Sep 4–6, 2026
City: Austin, Texas
- For artists: Invitational-style shows shine with appointments. Pre-book and protect your energy.
- For attending: Come ready to connect with artists in your lane—this is where future guest spots start.
- For content: Tell the story behind the piece. People share meaning more than “just a tattoo photo.”
Links: Tickets / Info · Hotel · Contact / Participation
Villain Arts — Meadowlands Tattoo Convention (NJ)
Dates: Sep 4–6, 2026
City: New Jersey (NYC metro area)
- For artists: Your “where to book” should be impossible to miss—studio address, booking link, QR code.
- For attending: If you want foot traffic and variety, metro-area shows usually deliver.
- For content: Do a “Top 3 flash designs people picked today” post + poll. Easy engagement.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
Three Rivers Tattoo Convention — Kennewick (WA)
Dates: Sep 25–27, 2026
City: Kennewick, Washington
- For artists: Regional shows are underrated—strong chance of repeat locals if you follow up right.
- For attending: Solid option for PNW artists who want a productive weekend without a huge travel budget.
- For content: Make it local: “PNW tattoo trends I saw this weekend” performs well in-area.
Links: Tickets / Info · Hotel · Booth / Application
October 2026
Open October shows
Villain Arts — New Orleans Tattoo Arts Festival (LA)
Dates: Oct 16–18, 2026
City: New Orleans, Louisiana
- For artists: This city is perfect for a “convention + guest spot” combo. Add 2–3 days if you can.
- For attending: Amazing for content and culture—plan your shots outside the venue too.
- For content: City + tattoo storytelling = easy shares. Keep it cinematic, not spammy.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
November 2026
Open November shows
Hell City Tattoo Festival — Columbus (OH)
Dates: Nov 6–8, 2026
City: Columbus, Ohio
- For artists: Have your application package ready (portfolio + socials + contact + clean booth photos if possible).
- For attending: Great place to study top-level execution and booth professionalism.
- For content: Post a real recap—what you learned, what surprised you, what you’re improving next.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Application
Villain Arts — Tampa Tattoo Arts Festival (FL)
Dates: Nov 20–22, 2026
City: Tampa, Florida
- For artists: End-of-year shows are perfect for “wrap-up bookings.” Pre-book to protect your schedule.
- For attending: Vendors often bring deals—great time to restock and upgrade.
- For content: “Year in review” + “What I’m taking into 2027” gets strong saves and shares.
Links: Tickets · Hotel · Booth / Artist Info
Quick FAQ (Short + Useful)
- Should I buy tickets early? If it’s a big show or you’re traveling, yes. Early planning saves money and stress.
- First convention—booth or attend? If budget is tight, attend first and study workflows. Booths work best when your process is dialed.
- What’s the #1 thing artists forget? Backup supplies and power setup (extensions/strips). Fix that and your weekend improves instantly.
A Message from TATARTIST
Whether you’re traveling show-to-show in 2026 or staying home and grinding in your studio—we’re rooting for you. May your hands stay steady, your back stay healthy, and your work keep getting freer and sharper. From all of us at TATARTIST: peace, happiness, and a better year for the whole tattoo community.
Sponsored Opportunity: TATARTIST Furniture Sponsorship (200K+ IG Artists)
Are you a tattoo artist with 200,000+ followers on Instagram and officially participating in a 2026 in-person tattoo convention (artist booth, featured guest, or invited artist)? You can apply for TATARTIST tattoo furniture sponsorship—including items like client chairs, artist chairs, armrests, and studio carts (based on fit and availability).
How to apply (send all of the following):
- Your Instagram profile link (public follower count visible)
- The 2026 convention(s) you’re attending (name + dates + city, or a confirmation screenshot)
- Your primary style + a link to your portfolio/website/pinned post
- Your preferred collaboration format (in-booth usage, short videos, photo set, live session, etc.)
Submit your request via the TATARTIST Contact page: tatartist.com
Contact TATARTIST's official Instagram account: tat.artist
Note: Sponsorship spots are limited. Final sponsorship items, rules, and deliverables are confirmed after review and agreement.
