Inked & Amped - Tattoo and Rock Festival (2026)
Inked & Amped is a tattoo convention and rock festival taking place May 8-10, 2026, at the Old Main Building on the York Fairgrounds in York, Pennsylvania. The event combines live tattooing with live music performances, creating a festival atmosphere that draws collectors and music fans to Central PA. Dawn Bosley, a tattoo artist with over 30 years of experience, and Chris Potts, who operates the Central PA Tattoo & Horror Expo, are organizing this first-year event. The convention floor will feature tattoo artists working on clients, vendor booths selling equipment and merchandise, and food trucks serving the crowd. The schedule includes tattoo contests where artists compete in categories like black and grey, color, and small tattoos. Live rock bands play throughout the weekend on a stage set up within the fairgrounds. Attendees can walk the floor to watch tattoos being done, browse aftercare products, or book appointments with artists who have open spots. The event runs Friday through Sunday, with doors opening at noon on Friday and 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Artists will work until evening each day, with music continuing into the night. The fairgrounds allow for outdoor seating near the food trucks, and the May weather in York typically ranges from 50 to 70 degrees, making it comfortable for the outdoor portions of the festival. The Old Main Building at 937 Madison Avenue sits on the York Fairgrounds, a historic venue that hosts agricultural shows and community events. York is located in south-central Pennsylvania, about 30 minutes from Harrisburg and Baltimore. The city has supported tattoo conventions for years through Chris Potts' Central PA Tattoo & Horror Expo, establishing the region as a destination for collectors in the Mid-Atlantic. Tickets are available at the door or in advance through the event's website. Parking is free on the fairgrounds. Hotels near the venue include the Yorktowne Hotel downtown and several chain options along Route 30. Attendees should bring cash for vendors and food trucks, though some artists accept cards for deposits. The building has concrete floors, so comfortable shoes are recommended for standing and walking all day.