When and where is the Salt Lake City Tattoo Convention?

The 21st Salt Lake City Tattoo Convention runs March 6-8, 2026, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, located at 100 South West Temple in downtown Salt Lake City. The event spans three days, with doors opening at noon on Friday and Saturday and 11 AM on Sunday.

What happens at this event?

The convention features over 200 tattoo artists working live in booths, daily tattoo competitions judged by industry professionals, and vendor booths selling tattoo supplies and art. Attendees can book appointments with specific artists beforehand or walk the floor to find available artists for same-day tattoos.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets are available through the official website at https://www.slctattooexpo.com/. Options include single-day passes and full-weekend passes. Prices vary by purchase date, with early bird rates typically available several months before the event.

What should I bring or expect?

Bring a valid ID, as you must be 18 to enter, and cash for tips and merchandise. Wear comfortable shoes for walking the concrete floor. Artists provide their own equipment, but bring reference images if you want to discuss specific designs. Food trucks are available outside, or you can exit for lunch and re-enter.

Is this event good for first-time attendees?

Yes. The layout is straightforward with wide aisles, and the atmosphere is welcoming to newcomers. First-timers can watch artists work, ask questions about the process, and get small tattoos without pressure. The Saturday afternoon hours are busiest, so arrive early if you prefer a quieter experience.

Salt Lake City Tattoo Convention #21 (2026)

Name: Salt Lake City Tattoo Convention #21 (2026)
Start: 2026-03-06
End: 2026-03-08
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center

The Salt Lake City Tattoo Convention #21 runs from March 6 to March 8, 2026, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City. This is the 21st edition of the annual event, which has grown from a small gathering of local shops to a three-day convention drawing artists and collectors from across the Mountain West and beyond. The convention fills the exhibition hall at the Salt Palace with over 200 tattoo booths arranged in rows across the concrete floor. Attendees can walk the aisles to watch artists work on fresh pieces, book appointments for future sessions, or get tattooed on the spot if an artist has availability. The event includes daily tattoo competitions in categories like black and grey, color work, traditional American, and small tattoos, with judging typically happening on Sunday afternoon. A stage area hosts seminars on machine building, color theory, and business practices for tattooers. Salt Lake City has developed a distinct tattoo culture over the past two decades. The city is home to a mix of old-school shops that opened in the 1990s when regulations loosened, alongside newer studios specializing in fine line, illustrative, and Japanese-inspired work. The convention reflects this range, featuring prominent Utah artists alongside traveling professionals from Denver, Las Vegas, Boise, and Portland. Many local collectors use the event to book large-scale projects that require multiple sessions. The venue sits at 100 South West Temple, connected to the downtown hotel district. The Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown and the Hilton Salt Lake City Center are both within two blocks of the entrance. The convention center offers paid parking in adjacent surface lots and the underground convention center garage, though spaces fill quickly on Saturday. The TRAX light rail stops at the Gallivan Plaza station three blocks east, providing easy access from the airport and suburbs. Tickets are available through the official website in single-day and full-weekend options. The floor opens at noon on Friday and Saturday and at 11 AM on Sunday. Artists bring their own equipment, but attendees should bring reference images if they want to discuss specific designs. Cash is useful for tips and merchandise purchases, though most vendors accept credit cards. Food trucks typically line up outside the west entrance during lunch hours. Check the official site for the current guest artist list and booth map. The convention typically hosts an afterparty on Saturday night at a nearby downtown venue, details of which are announced closer to the date.