Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival 2026; The largest tattoo convention in Canada returns this weekend, October 16th-18th!
Returning for its 23rd annual run, the Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival is back and just as exciting as ever! Canada's mammoth of tattoo conventions has always brought big names, bold entertainment, and a grandiouse array of vendors, piercers, and of course over 650 tattooers all ready to help you with your next tattoo! With no shortage of talented artists, there is an unparralled diversity that the Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival brings to ensure there is something for everyone, lovers of all styles and those who stick to one rejoice! All your tattoo needs will be met here this weekend October 16th-18th, 2026 at BMO Centre (Stampede Park)!
Eikon at Calgary arts and Tattoo Festival 2022 Calgary art and tattoo festival crowd and tattooers Craig Fenrick poster tattoo and arts festival calgary 2026
Behind this big and bold spectacle of body art is Tattoo Veteran; Steve Peace (@stevepeacetattoos) and hosted by Erin Porter (@elporter)! Steve Peace has been tattooing over 30 years and has been running this show since 2004! This is only 1 of 2 annual shows Steve runs in Calgary as he will be running a Winter edition of the Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival in February as well for those that did not get a chance to attend in the Fall, or simply want to participate again!
On top of Calgary, Steve Peace also organizes the Edmonton Tattoo and Arts Festival and will be doing the first ever edition of Tattoo and Arts Festival in Vancouver early January! You can read more about Steve Peace and his work through our exclusive interview article here!
edmonton tattoo and arts festival vancouver tattoo and arts festival tattoo and arts festival Steve Peace
With over 650 artists attending the 2026 Calgary Tattoo and Arts festival, it is challenging to pin-point just a few notable attendees this year, but these are just a handful of the featured Canadian and International artists attending the show; Anthony Tex (@anthony_tex) from Calgary, Steve Moore (@getmooretattoos) from Vancouver, Jamie Allan (@jamieallantattoo) from Scotland, Etuai Rai (@etuatattoo) from Tahiti, Jasper Jarvis (@sadgirltattoo) from the UK, and Jamie Lee Knot (@jamieleetattoo) from the UK just to name a few!
Anthony Tex tattoo Steve Moore tattoo Jamie Lee Tattoo Jamie Allan Tattoo Jasper Jarvis (Sadgirl) tattoo Etuai Rai Tattoo
Aside from tattooing, there is a plethora of entertainment and showcases all weekend long! One of the more notable showcases is the "Off the Skin" art show and sale! Curated by Lizard Queen Conceptuals, this exhibition highlights the multi-disciplinary talents of tattoo artists, showcasing their works outside of tattooing such as paintings, prints, sculptures and more!
With such an array of many different artists from around the world, the Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival wants to do everything it can for its artists to be busy all weekend long. To do so, Steve Peace and the convention present TattooDay! This handy tattoo app allows both clients and artists to easily find the artist they are looking for both at the Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival and around the globe! Artists can upload/showcase their work and notify clients of their availability at the convention for maximum exposure and outreach!
Off the Skin Art Showcase TattooDay App
One of the most anticipated aspects for many artists in modern tattoo conventions are the competitions. Artists who want to show-off their work and compete with their peers for cash prizes, bragging rights, and trophies on the big stage, judged by only a panel of prestigious tattoo artists. Check out some of this years catergories to compete in down below!
Calgary tattoo expo contests
2026 has seen many big annual tattoo conventions, and there is no better way to end the year with bold entertainment, dazzling art showcases, and tons and tons of tattooing at Canada's largest Tattoo and Arts Showcase this weekend only in Stampede Park, Calgary! We hope to see you there!
Burning Desire fireshow Steve Peace judging
Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival
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