The Windy City Tattoo Show is making its way to Lethbridge this September, and it could be the perfect place to finally get that new ink you’ve been thinking about. Over three days, you’ll be able to meet more than 200 artists and check out their portfolios before booking a tattoo, then stick around to watch them compete across different categories for cash prizes. So, if you’ve been looking for some inspiration for your next piece, this is a great place to start.
Here’s everything you need to know before heading to the show.
What is the Windy City Tattoo Show?
The Windy City Tattoo Show is an annual tattoo convention held in Lethbridge, Alta., where tattoo artists, industry vendors, and tattoo enthusiasts can connect. Rather than booking an appointment in a traditional tattoo shop, conventions like this let you walk around, discover new artists and get a better feel for their work.
What can I do while I’m there?
According to the Windy City Tattoo Show, more than 200 artists are expected at the 2026 show. You’ll have an opportunity to meet the artists, look through their portfolios, and see the different styles they specialize in, with the option to book a tattoo during the convention.
There will also be a Tattoo of the Day competition being held on all three days of the event, where one tattoo completed that day at the convention will be chosen as the winner. The judging will take place at 11 p.m on Friday, 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The artist behind the winning tattoo will receive $500 in cash along with various prizes, and each daily winner will automatically move on to the Best in Show competition, which will take place at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The winning artists of the Best in Show competition will take home $1,000 in cash, plus prizes.
How do I book a tattoo during the show?
According to organizers, all of the tattoo artists are available to book in advance, so it’s worth reaching out directly to the artist before the show to arrange an appointment with them if you already have someone in mind.
Some artists may accept walk-up appointments during the weekend, depending on their availability, so you can also check with artists at the show if you haven’t booked ahead. Your event ticket will only cover admission to the show, so you’ll need to pay the artists separately for the tattoo.
Is there anything else to do while I’m there?
Beyond the tattooing and competitions, there will also be live performances happening throughout the weekend. Friday night will feature performances from Reggie Bugmuncher, the Hazard Girls and LuLu Adore. Saturday will have more live entertainment, with Reggie Bugmuncher taking the stage at 5 p.m. and again at 8 p.m., while Sunday will focus more heavily on the final rounds of the tattoo competition.
Vendors will also be set up throughout the space, giving you a chance to browse tattoo-related products, artwork, and clothing.
Is the tattoo show family-friendly?
Friday is an 18+ event, with the show running from 2 p.m. until midnight, while Saturday and Sunday are open to all ages, and kids 12 and under can attend for free. Families can spend the day checking out the entertainment, live vendors, and tattoo competitions.
Where is the Windy City Tattoo Show?
The tattoo show will take place at the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre in Lethbridge, Alta. Lethbridge is about 200 kilometres south of Calgary, making it a roughly two-hour drive, depending on traffic and where you’re starting from in the city.
If you don’t want to drive, you can also take a bus from Calgary to Lethbridge. FlixBus currently operates the route, with trips taking around three hours and 20 minutes. There are one-way and round-trip options available, with fares starting at $32.98 at the time of publishing. The bus has multiple pickup locations around Calgary, including the Calgary International Airport, select downtown Calgary hotels and Anderson Station.
For those planning to drive, the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre has on-site parking available for visitors. The Windy City Tattoo hasn’t specified whether parking will be free during the 2026 event, so it’s worth checking their website closer to the show for more details.
How much are tickets?
If you’re planning to check out the Windy City Tattoo Show, you can either grab a ticket for one day or get a weekend pass and go for all three days. Admission for Friday’s adults-only night is $25, while Saturday admission is also $25, and Sunday admission is $20. If you want to attend the entire weekend, a three-day pass is $60. Children 12 and under can attend for free on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of the event.
Keep in mind that these admission prices do not include the cost of getting a tattoo, as tattoo prices will vary depending on the artist and the work you’re looking to get done.
When: Friday, Sept. 11, to Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
Time: Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Agri-Food Hub Hall ‘C’ – 3401 Parkside Dr. S., Lethbridge, Alta.
Cost: Friday: $25 Adult Night, Saturday: $25 Day Pass, Sunday: $20 Day Pass, Weekend Passes: $60, Kids 12 and under: Free
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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