When and where is the Cryptid Tattoo and Oddities Expo?

The event runs May 23-24, 2026 at the Washington State Fair AgriPlex Building in Puyallup, Washington. The AgriPlex is located on the fairgrounds off Meridian Avenue, approximately 35 miles south of Seattle.

What happens at this event?

The expo combines live tattooing with oddities vending. Tattoo artists work on clients throughout the weekend while vendors sell preserved specimens, bone art, cryptid books, and occult items. The focus is on dark art, neo-traditional, and paranormal-themed tattoos rather than traditional styles.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets are available through the official website at https://www.cryptidexpo.com/. Check the site for early bird pricing and day-of ticket availability.

What should I bring or expect?

Bring cash for tips and small purchases from oddities vendors. Wear comfortable shoes for concrete floors. If you want a tattoo, bring reference images and check with artists beforehand about availability. The venue has food vendors but you can bring water.

Is this event good for first-time attendees?

Yes. The AgriPlex Building is smaller than major city convention centers, making it easy to navigate. The cryptid theme creates a specific atmosphere that is less intimidating than massive commercial conventions. You can watch tattoos being done, browse oddities, and talk to artists without the overwhelming crowds of larger shows.

Cryptid Tattoo and Oddities Expo

Name: Cryptid Tattoo and Oddities Expo
Start: 2026-05-23
End: 2026-05-24
Location: Washington State Fair – AgriPlex Building

The Cryptid Tattoo and Oddities Expo is a two-day convention scheduled for May 23 and 24, 2026 at the Washington State Fair AgriPlex Building in Puyallup, Washington. This event occupies the intersection of tattoo culture, cryptid lore, and oddities collecting, drawing crowds interested in Bigfoot, UFOs, and dark art. The AgriPlex Building sits on the Washington State Fairgrounds about 35 miles south of Seattle and 10 miles east of Tacoma. The building has concrete floors and high ceilings typical of agricultural exhibition halls, which provides the ventilation and open space needed for multiple tattoo stations operating simultaneously. Puyallup is a city of roughly 40,000 people that hosts the state fair each September, so the infrastructure handles large crowds and the venue has established parking and accessibility features. This is not a standard tattoo convention. The oddities component brings vendors who sell preserved specimens, bone art, occult books, taxidermy, and cryptid memorabilia alongside traditional tattoo supply booths. You will find tattoo artists specializing in dark art, neo-traditional, blackwork, and illustrative styles that complement the paranormal theme. Live tattooing happens throughout both days, with artists taking both pre-booked appointments and walk-up clients depending on their schedules. The event typically runs from late morning to early evening on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available through the official website, with options for single-day or weekend passes. The fairgrounds have extensive paved parking lots that charge daily rates, and several chain hotels sit along Meridian Avenue near the Highway 512 interchange for attendees traveling from Seattle, Tacoma, or Portland. The Pacific Northwest maintains a documented history of cryptid sightings, from Sasquatch reports in the Cascades to UFO activity around Mount Rainier. This regional fascination with the unexplained shows up in local tattoo culture, which often favors nature themes mixed with macabre or mysterious imagery. The expo reflects that aesthetic. Attendees should bring cash for tips and small purchases from oddities vendors, though most tattoo artists accept cards for larger pieces. Wear comfortable shoes because the concrete floors are hard on feet after hours of walking, and dress in layers as agricultural buildings can shift temperature depending on outside conditions.