Madison Tattoo Festival
- Dates
- Expected October
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Alliant Energy Center
- Price
- $25 to $55
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Sep 5, 2026
Madison Tattoo Festival's next dates haven't been announced yet. The last festival was 9 to 11 October 2026 in Madison, WI. Froligo tracks current ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
Age, licensing and hygiene
Anyone receiving a tattoo must be over 18, present a valid ID and sign a release form. Children 14 and under enter free with a guardian and under-18s must stay with an adult
Tattoo recipients must sign a release form
The organizer permits only service animals in the festival area and enforces the wristband re-entry rule. No security, first-aid, sterilization or licensing statement is published
The organiser publishes nothing on Any sterilization or single-use-needle statement from the organizer, Any tattoo-establishment licensing or health-department statement, Whether Dane County or Wisconsin licenses or inspects convention body art, First aid or medical arrangements and The text of the release form and any aftercare guidance. Ask the artist you are booking with, and expect a licensed booth to answer without hesitating.
Checked 2026-09-05The experience
What's special
Madison Tattoo Festival is a three day, all ages convention at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, running October 9 to 11, 2026. The live exhibitors page lists well over a hundred attending tattoo artists, each linked to an Instagram account, with Jessica Canvas, Jordanne Le Fae, Rocket and James Mullin promoted as featured artists. A contest programme runs all three days, mixing fresh categories judged nightly with healed categories, including sleeves, back pieces, pop culture and a Best Multi-Day award, plus a Worst Tattoo Contest on Saturday, and healed entries may be work done anywhere by any artist. Admission is a Single Day Pass at $25 on sale (regular $30) or a 3 Day Weekend Pass at $55 on sale (regular $65), both collected at Will Call, with children 14 and under free. Getting tattooed requires being over 18 with a valid ID and a signed release form, and each artist sets their own price and takes appointments or walk-ups directly at the booth. Only service animals are allowed in the festival area
What happens on the floor
Finished and same-day work is judged on stage in named categories, usually late in the day.
Pieces go on in the open, start to finish. You can watch, and talk to artists between clients.
Machines, inks, aftercare, art and clothing. Aimed at artists, but open to anyone through the door.
Getting tattooed here
Admission gets you through the door, not into a chair. Tattoo work is arranged with the artist, not with the show.
To be tattooed by a specific artist, contact them in advance to set up an appointment, usually by social media message, email or a booking link, with some artists posting booking information in their Instagram bio
Some artists take tattoos on a first come, first served basis; ask at their booth. Artist availability is not guaranteed
Who is tattooing
Four artists are separately promoted as Featured on the homepage. Handles were read from the live exhibitors page on 5 September 2026; some may be studio rather than individual accounts
4 artists are listed for this edition, and Instagram handles where the show publishes them.
Featured artist
- Jessica Canvas
- Jordanne Le Fae
- Rocket
- James Mullin
What it costs
Admission is the only price the show sets. Admission does not include a tattoo. Each artist sets and manages their own tattoo price and booking; contact the artist in advance or ask at the booth. No price list is published. A walk-up costs whatever the individual artist charges; the organizer publishes no floor or guide price.
Advance tickets are collected at Will Call. The only stated visitor fee beyond admission is the full re-entry fee for a removed or lost wristband. No contest entry fee is published
The market and the food
Named traders include Tattoo Zoo (tattoo vendor), WickedFast Skin Care (skin care), Prismatic Boutique (boutique), Tuff Bones Pet Supply (pet supply), Black 7 Tattoo Books (tattoo books), River City Tintype (art/photo), L'BRI Pure and Natural (vendor), Gothic Glam Beauty (beauty), Stink Co. (vendor) and Squirrel Craft (craft).
Hours and the floor
Indoor public festival at the Alliant Energy Center, with artist and vendor booths, a Will Call pickup point and a dedicated contest programme
Laid out as artist booths, vendor area, contest area and Will Call.
Indoor and climate controlled. Only service animals are permitted in the festival area
Getting there
Nearest airport Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), about 6 miles northeast.
How do I get to Madison Tattoo Festival?
By car
The Alliant Energy Center is at 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way in Madison, a fairgrounds/expo campus with large paid event lots. Dane County Regional (MSN) is about 6 miles / 15 minutes northeast; downtown Madison and the Capitol are about 10 minutes north
Most people drive to Madison Tattoo Festival. The nearest major airport is Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), about 6 miles northeast, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. 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
Compare car hire at Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), about 6 miles northeast
Search car hire →Live price search coming soon.
Where
Venue
Alliant Energy Center
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Madison Tattoo Festival?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Airbnb & private camping
Downtown Madison, the Capitol isthmus and Monroe St carry the walkable rentals about 10 minutes north; the John Nolen Dr corridor by the venue has the closest chain hotels. Check Badgers home-football dates, which spike October lodging
Search Airbnb →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
Price history and tiers
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