Omaha Tattoo Arts Festival

The Omaha Tattoo Arts Festival is part of the touring Villain Arts convention circuit, which brings tattoo artists from across the country and abroad to one big room for a weekend. In Omaha it fills part of the CHI Health Center.

Visitors can walk the floor and watch artists work, book walk-up tattoos, browse art and merchandise, and catch daily tattoo contests. Sideshow acts and entertainment run throughout the weekend, and guests have included artists known from TV tattoo competitions.

You do not need to get inked to enjoy it; plenty of people come to people-watch, see the contests and meet artists they follow online. Doors stay open late on Friday and Saturday.

Highlights

• Hundreds of tattoo artists working live
• Daily tattoo contests
• Sideshow and stage entertainment
• Celebrity and TV guest artists
• Art, merch and aftercare vendors

Tips for going

• Listed hours: Friday 2 to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Day passes and 3-day passes are sold; kids under 12 get in free.
• Want a piece from a specific artist? Contact them ahead to book; walk-up slots go fast.
• Bring cash for artists who prefer it, and eat before you sit for a long session.
• Parking at the venue runs about $10 to $15; in-and-out parking is not allowed.