Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo
- Dates
- Expected July
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Sep 2, 2026
Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo's next dates haven't been announced yet. The last festival was 24 to 26 July 2026 in Manchester, NH. Froligo tracks free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
Age, licensing and hygiene
Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages; kids 16 and under are admitted free if accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket
The experience
What's special
The 18th Annual Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo runs Friday through Sunday, July 24 to 26, 2026, inside the DoubleTree by Hilton on Elm Street in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. The organiser calls it one of New England's largest tattoo expos, and the weekend fills more than 100 booths with tattoo artists, body piercers and vendors, run alongside daily contests with cash prizes, sideshow acts, a beer garden and food trucks. Hours stretch late into the night on Friday and Saturday, closing at midnight both days, with a shorter Sunday session ending at 8pm. A weekend pass covers in-and-out access for the full run, and kids 16 and under get in free with a paying adult. Because the expo and its official hotel share the same building, visitors flying or driving in can book a room without worrying about a separate commute to the show floor. Booth space for 2026 sold out ahead of the event, a sign of how established the expo has become on the New England tattoo calendar after seventeen previous years
What happens on the floor
Pieces go on in the open, start to finish. You can watch, and talk to artists between clients.
Finished and same-day work is judged on stage in named categories, usually late in the day.
Machines, inks, aftercare, art and clothing. Aimed at artists, but open to anyone through the door.
Who is tattooing
No artist roster has been published for this edition, so there is no way to pick an artist in advance from the official pages.
Seminars
Teaching sessions for working artists. These are booked and paid for separately from show admission, and admission does not include them.
- Emily Elegado
Around the tattooing
Also running
- Suspension performanceScheduled Friday 7pm and Sunday 5pm
- Sally Sapphire AerialistScheduled multiple times across all three days
- Reggie Bugmuncher sideshow sessionsMultiple sessions Friday through Sunday
What it costs
Admission is the only price the show sets. Tattoo work is priced by each artist and paid to them directly, so agree the price before the machine starts.
No refunds for contestants who do not attend a tattoo contest after entering
The market and the food
Official site references a beer garden and food vendors on-site; no specific vendor names or dietary details were found in the bundle
Hours and the floor
Held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Manchester, NH
Getting there
How do I get to Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo?
By car
Most people drive to Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🚙 Car hire
Where
Venue
DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Live Free or Die Tattoo Expo?
Accessibility & comfort
What the organiser or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
Confirm your specific needs with the organiser's access team before you travel.
Pricing
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