When and where is the Williston Tattoo Expo 2026?

The event runs April 10-12, 2026, at The Grand Williston Hotel located at 3601 2nd Avenue West in Williston, North Dakota. The hotel sits near the intersection of US Highway 2 and US Highway 85, making it accessible from Montana and central North Dakota.

What happens at the Williston Tattoo Expo?

The expo features live tattooing on the convention floor, with artists working on pre-booked appointments and walk-up flash pieces. Vendors sell tattoo supplies, aftercare products, and merchandise. The event typically includes a Saturday evening tattoo competition with categories for various styles.

How do I get tickets to the Williston Tattoo Expo 2026?

Ticket information is available through the event organizers. Contact The Grand Williston Hotel or check local tattoo shop postings in Williston for pricing and advance purchase options. Day passes and weekend passes are typically available at the door.

Where should I stay during the expo?

The Grand Williston Hotel hosts the event and offers room blocks for attendees. Alternative options include the MainStay Suites, Williston GrandView, and various chain hotels along 26th Street East. Book early, as oil field activity can fill hotels quickly.

Is the Williston Tattoo Expo good for getting my first tattoo?

Yes. The expo provides access to multiple artists in one location, allowing you to compare portfolios and styles. Artists are accustomed to working with oil field clients and first-timers. Bring valid ID, as North Dakota requires you to be 18 or older with proof of age.

Williston Tattoo Expo 2026

Name: Williston Tattoo Expo 2026
Start: 2026-04-10
End: 2026-04-12
Location: The Grand Williston Hotel

The Williston Tattoo Expo 2026 is a three-day tattoo convention running April 10 through April 12, 2026, at The Grand Williston Hotel in Williston, North Dakota. The event fills the hotel's event space with tattoo artists from across the upper Midwest and mountain states, offering a concentrated weekend of live tattooing, portfolio reviews, and equipment sales. Williston sits in the heart of the Bakken oil patch, and the local tattoo scene reflects the city's working-class roots and transient oil field population. The expo draws heavily from this demographic, with artists who specialize in American traditional, black and grey realism, and military insignia work. You will see more pipeline and rig worker tattoos than fine art pieces, though the technical skill is high. The Grand Williston Hotel provides the venue, located on 26th Street near the intersection of US Highway 2 and US Highway 85. The hotel has ample parking and offers room blocks for attendees traveling from Minot, Bismarck, or across the Montana border. The event runs standard convention hours: Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. Attendees can expect rows of vendor booths with artists working on appointments and walk-ups. The floor includes tattoo supply vendors selling needles, inks, and machines. There are typically flash sheets available for same-day work, though serious collectors book appointments months in advance. The expo usually hosts a Saturday night tattoo competition with categories for best black and grey, best color, and best small piece. This is a cash-heavy event. While most artists accept cards for the tattoo itself, tips are cash only. Bring government-issued ID; North Dakota law requires tattoo artists to verify age. The hotel has a bar and restaurant on site, and downtown Williston is a short drive for additional dining options. For first-time visitors to Williston, the city is the retail center of Williams County and serves as the primary service center for the surrounding oil fields. The tattoo expo is one of the few large-scale conventions in western North Dakota, making it a regional gathering point for collectors who otherwise drive to Billings or Fargo for tattoo events.