When and where is the Oklahoma City Tattoo Arts Festival?

The 2026 event runs June 19-21 at the Oklahoma Convention Center, located at 100 Mick Cornett Drive in Oklahoma City. The venue sits near the intersection of Interstates 40 and 35.

What happens at this event?

Artists tattoo clients in open booths while attendees walk the floor. The convention includes piercing stations, art vendors selling prints, tattoo supply companies, and competitions for best tattoo in various categories.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets are available through the Villain Arts website at villainarts.com. You can buy single-day or weekend passes online in advance or purchase tickets at the door.

What should I bring or expect?

Wear comfortable shoes for walking concrete floors. Bring cash for tips and small purchases, though vendors accept cards. The floor gets crowded on Saturday, so arrive early if you want to book same-day tattoo appointments.

Is this event good for first-time attendees?

Yes. The open floor plan lets you watch artists work before committing to a tattoo. You can browse portfolios, talk to artists, and get a sense of the process without pressure.

Oklahoma City Tattoo Arts Festival #8 (2026)

Name: Oklahoma City Tattoo Arts Festival #8 (2026)
Start: 2026-06-19
End: 2026-06-21
Location: Oklahoma Convention Center

The Oklahoma City Tattoo Arts Festival is an annual tattoo convention held at the Oklahoma Convention Center in Oklahoma City. The 2026 event is the 8th edition and runs from Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21. The convention fills the exhibition hall with rows of tattoo booths where artists work on clients in the open. You can walk the floor and watch the tattooing process from stencil application to final shading. The event includes piercers offering walk-up piercing services, art vendors selling original prints and tattoo-themed merchandise, and supply companies selling ink and equipment. Competitions run throughout the weekend with categories for different tattoo styles including black and grey, color, and small tattoos. Oklahoma City has a growing tattoo scene with established shops scattered through the Plaza District, Paseo Arts District, and downtown core. The convention brings local Oklahoma artists together with traveling artists from Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, and beyond. Many Oklahoma City shops use the convention as a chance to book appointments with out-of-state clients who prefer meeting in person before committing to large pieces. The venue is the Oklahoma Convention Center at 100 Mick Cornett Drive in the southern part of the city. The building has surface parking lots on site and is located near the intersection of Interstate 40 and Interstate 35. Hotels are available in the Bricktown district about ten minutes north of the venue, including the Hampton Inn, Aloft Oklahoma City Downtown, and the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel. The Plaza District offers additional dining options about fifteen minutes away. Tickets are available at the door or online through the Villain Arts website. Single-day passes and full weekend passes are typically offered. The floor gets crowded on Saturday afternoon, so arrive early if you want to book walk-up appointments with popular artists. Bring cash for tips and small purchases, though most vendors accept credit cards. Wear comfortable shoes because you will walk concrete floors for several hours. The convention center has food concessions inside, but many attendees drive to nearby restaurants during breaks. The event is produced by Villain Arts, a company that runs tattoo conventions across the Midwest and South including shows in Philadelphia, Louisville, and New Orleans. Artists and vendors register through villainarts.com/support.