All upcoming events for this year
Status: August 19, 2026
Summer is over, but convention season isn't. Between September and December 2026, over 25 tattoo conventions will take place in the German-speaking world – from the world's oldest tattoo event in Berlin to the Stadthalle in Weilheim, where everyone shares the same sweaty hall floor on Sunday evening.
We have compiled all confirmed dates chronologically so you can plan instead of search.
What happens at a Tattoo Convention
For those attending for the first time: A convention is a hall full of artists who tattoo live for two or three days. You can watch, browse portfolios, make appointments, and at most events, even get tattooed spontaneously if an artist has an open slot.
Additionally, there are contests (Best of Black & Grey, Best of Color, Best of Show), stage programs, and vendors selling jewelry, clothing, and equipment. Admission at most events ranges from 12 to 25 Euros per day, and children are admitted free almost everywhere.
Those who have been around longer know: the real reason to go is the people. A convention is the only place where no one asks what the motif means.
Tattoo Conventions in September 2026
September 5 & 6 – Tattoo Convention Sigmaringen
Location: Stadthalle Sigmaringen, Georg-Zimmerer-Straße 2, 72488 Sigmaringen (Baden-Württemberg) Two days of tattoo art, show program, and contests in the south. Discounted tickets in advance.
September 5 & 6 – Tattoo Convention Lippstadt
Location: Südliche Schützenhalle, 59555 Lippstadt (North Rhine-Westphalia) Second edition. Over 40 studios and more than 80 artists from Germany and abroad, plus live music and stage shows.
September 5 & 6 – Tattoo Convention Riesa
Location: WT Arena, Am Sportzentrum 5, 01589 Riesa (Saxony) Part of the nationwide tour of "Die Tattoo Convention." No advance sales, box office is open.
September 5 & 6 – Tattoo Convention Idar-Oberstein
Location: Messe Idar-Oberstein (Rhineland-Palatinate) Public fair for tattoo artists, piercers, and anyone who wants to check it out first.
September 5 & 6 – Wildstyle & Tattoo Messe Wien 🇦🇹
Location: Wiener Stadthalle, Hall E, 1150 Vienna (Austria) Running since 1995, it is considered Europe's most visited tattoo show. Around 100 international artists and exhibitors, non-stop show program, plus live concerts on both evenings – already included in the 25 Euro ticket price. The European Street Food Festival runs parallel in the forecourt with free admission. Opening hours: Saturday 12 PM – 12 AM, Sunday 12 PM – 8 PM
September 12 & 13 – Tattoo Convention Erfurt (16th edition)
Location: Stadthalle Gotha, 99867 Gotha (Thuringia) Attention: The name remains Erfurt, the location in 2026 is Gotha. One of Thuringia's most famous events, with contests and the election of the Convention Cover Model 2027. Opening hours: Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 6 PM
September 12 & 13 – Tattoo Convention Halle (Saale)
Location: Messezentrum, Messestraße 10, 06116 Halle (Saale) (Saxony-Anhalt) Already booked out for artists – open for visitors, box office on site.
September 12 & 13 – Tattoo & Piercing Expo Eggenfelden
Location: Rottgauhalle, 84307 Eggenfelden (Lower Bavaria) Two days of body art and live acts in Lower Bavaria's Rottal.
September 12 & 13 – Tattoo Convention Hawangen
Location: Mehrzweckhalle Hawangen, Ziegeleiweg 26, 87749 Hawangen near Memmingen (Bavaria) Compact event in the Allgäu, discounted advance sales.
September 18 to 20 – Tattoo Convention Berlin (34th edition)
Location: Arena Berlin, Eichenstraße 4, 12435 Berlin The world's oldest tattoo event and the biggest date for the rest of the year. Over 300 national and international artists over three days, plus vendors, stage shows, a large contest with public voting, and the Badeschiff including outdoor area and food court directly next door. If you only go to one convention this year: This is it.
September 18 to 20 – Kaiserstadt Tattoo Expo Aachen (10th edition)
Location: 100,5 Arena, 52070 Aachen (North Rhine-Westphalia) Anniversary edition in the three-country border region. Established names and newcomers over three days.
September 19 & 20 – Tattoo Convention Emsdetten (Premiere)
Location: Ems-Halle in Stroetmanns Fabrik, 48282 Emsdetten (North Rhine-Westphalia) First edition ever. Over 60 artists from more than 30 studios, plus live music, contests, and vendor area.
September 26 & 27 – Tattoo Convention Weilheim
Location: Stadthalle Weilheim, Wessobrunner Straße, 82362 Weilheim in Oberbayern Weekend full of live tattooing and entertainment south of Munich.
Tattoo Conventions in October 2026
October 10 & 11 – Tattoo Convention Bayreuth
Location: Bärenhalle (MZH), 95463 Bindlach (Upper Franconia) Relaxed event with direct appointment scheduling with artists – walk-ins expressly welcome. Opening hours: Saturday 11 AM – 11 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 7:30 PM Admission: 12 Euros at the door, children under 14 accompanied by an adult free
October 10 & 11 – TATTOO DAYS Rosenheim
Location: Auerbräu Festhalle, 83022 Rosenheim (Upper Bavaria) Convention focusing on tattoo art and culture.
October 10 & 11 – Tattoo Convention Eichsfeld (Premiere)
Location: Obereichsfeldhalle, 37339 Leinefelde-Worbis (Thuringia) First edition with over 30 studios and more than 60 artists, live music and show acts.
October 10 & 11 – Tattoo Convention Chemnitz
Location: dieFABRIK Chemnitz, Zwickauer Straße 145, 09116 Chemnitz (Saxony) New location in 2026 – if you've been there before, don't navigate from memory.
October 17 & 18 – Tattoo Convention Alsfeld (8th edition)
Location: Hessenhalle Alsfeld, 36304 Alsfeld (Hesse) One of the larger autumn events: over 100 artists from more than 50 studios, plus live music and stage program. Running since 2017.
October 17 & 18 – Tattoo Convention Magdeburg
Location: Messezentrum, Tessenowstraße 9a, 39114 Magdeburg (Saxony-Anhalt) No advance sales, box office open.
October 24 & 25 – Kaarst Tattoo Expo
Location: Mercure Hotel Düsseldorf Kaarst, 41564 Kaarst (North Rhine-Westphalia) International artists, tattoo contest, street food, and stage program in the greater Düsseldorf area.
Tattoo Conventions in November 2026
November 7 & 8 – Tattoo Convention Gummersbach (3rd edition)
Location: Halle 32, 51643 Gummersbach (North Rhine-Westphalia) Over 30 studios, more than 60 artists, live music, and show acts in the Bergisches Land.
November 7 & 8 – Wilhelmshavener Tattoo Weekend (5th edition)
Location: Gorch Fock Haus, Viktoriastraße 15, 26382 Wilhelmshaven (Lower Saxony) Maritime-themed event with its own "Best of Maritime" contest category and an on-site tattoo museum. Spontaneous appointments are possible according to the organizer. Admission: 12 Euros in advance, 15 Euros at the door, children up to 12 free with an accompanying adult
November 7 & 8 – Tattoo Convention Altenburg
Location: Stadthalle Goldener Pflug, Beim Goldenen Pflug 3, 04600 Altenburg (Thuringia) Tour stop without advance sales, box office open.
November 28 & 29 – Tattoo Expo Grafenwöhr (6th edition)
Location: Stadthalle Grafenwöhr, 92655 Grafenwöhr (Upper Palatinate) Over 40 studios and more than 80 artists – a respectable number for an event of this size.
Tattoo Conventions in December 2026
December 5 & 6 – Tattoo Convention Bad Hersfeld
Location: Schilde Halle, Benno-Schilde-Platz 4, 36251 Bad Hersfeld (Hesse) Last firmly confirmed tour date of the year. No advance sales, box office open.
Still without a fixed date: December 2026 is announced for Dream Ink at Backstage München and the Tattoo Convention Moosburg an der Isar, but the exact dates are not yet fixed at the time of editing. If you live in Bavaria: keep an eye on the organizers' social media channels.
Outlook: The first major dates for 2027
If you're already planning further – these four are already set:
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 & 16, 2027 | Tattoo Convention Braunschweig | Millennium Event Center Braunschweig |
| February 13 & 14, 2027 | Wetzlar Tattoo Convention (2nd edition) | Buderus Arena Wetzlar |
| March 5 to 7, 2027 | Gods of Ink | Messe Frankfurt, Hall 12 |
| April 2 to 4, 2027 | Tattoo Con Dortmund (30th edition) | Westfalenhallen Dortmund |
Convention Guide: What you should know before you go
Make an appointment beforehand. For big events, good artists are booked weeks in advance. Contact the studios as soon as the exhibitor list is online – usually four to six weeks before the date. For smaller conventions, more walk-ins are available.
Bring cash. Many artists only accept cash, and the ATM in the hall traditionally either has a queue or no signal.
Arrive early. Saturday morning, the hall is empty, artists are well-rested, and you can still get spontaneous slots. From 3 PM onwards, it gets crowded at every booth.
Eat beforehand. Getting tattooed on an empty stomach leads to circulatory problems and emergency glucose from the paramedics.
Wear something you can roll up. Sounds trivial, but it's the most common beginner's mistake. If your new piece is on your upper arm, you don't want to wear a tight long-sleeve shirt. Oversized shirts, wide tanks, anything loose-fitting that won't rub on the wound – and something dark, because fresh tattoos bleed and weep for the first few hours.
What to wear at a convention
There's no dress code, but there's a reality: You'll be standing in an overheated hall for eight hours, sitting under the needle intermittently, and then you'll want to go to a concert or the outdoor area afterwards.
What works: heavy, loosely cut shirts that still drape well after the twelfth wash. Oversized hoodies for the evening when it gets cold outside. Tank tops if your arm needs to stay free. Black, because it's practical.
That's exactly why we at Inked Mafia create our drops – clothes for people who wear ink, not for people who print tattoos as motifs. Our Heavy Oversized Shirts weigh 240 gsm, our Heavy Oversized Hoodies significantly more. Not a costume, just clothes that can handle a convention Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tattoo Conventions
What is the admission price for a Tattoo Convention? For most events in Germany, you'll pay between 12 and 15 Euros per day at the box office. Larger events like Berlin or Vienna might be more expensive, but in Vienna, live concerts are included in the ticket price. Children are admitted free at almost all conventions, usually up to 12 or 14 years old, when accompanied by a legal guardian.
Can I get spontaneously tattooed at a convention? Yes, walk-ins are possible at most conventions, especially at smaller events and on Saturday mornings. However, at large conventions like Berlin, well-known artists are often fully booked weeks in advance. If you want a specific design from a particular artist, inquire well in advance.
How do I find a Tattoo Convention near me? The schedule above is sorted chronologically and covers Germany and Austria. Find your federal state; in autumn 2026, there are events in Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Thuringia, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
What should I bring to a convention? ID, cash, loose clothing, and something to eat or drink. If you're getting tattooed: an idea, some reference images, and patience. If you're underage, you need the consent and usually the presence of a legal guardian in Germany. The exact rules are set by the studios themselves, and many only tattoo those 18 and older.
Is a convention worth it even if I don't want to get tattooed? Yes. You'll see dozens of styles side-by-side, can compare portfolios, and find an artist for a larger project without committing beforehand. Plus, there are contests, stage programs, and vendors. For research before a big piece, a convention weekend is worth more than three weeks of Instagram.
All information without guarantee. Dates, locations, and prices are set by the organizers and may change – please check the official website or social media channel of the respective event before traveling. Do you know of a convention that's missing here? Let us know, and we'll add it to the list.