We’re not saying you should go full Post Malone, but if you’re itching for new ink, the Villain Arts Tattoo Festival is the place to do it. The massive traveling tattoo event makes its first San Antonio stop November 14–16 at the Freeman Expo Hall, bringing hundreds of top tattoo artists to the Alamo City.
For body mod fans, the convention is a full-throttle immersion into tattoo culture with a vendor hall, live demos, and the chance to be tattooed by nationally recognized artists. The San Antonio show is the only 2025 stop in Texas, and organizers expect up to 30,000 attendees, so it’s best to book a spot as early as possible.
In addition to the pained yowls coming from the expo hall floor, attendees can expect to hear from tatted celebrities and personalities from reality competitions like Ink Master. Professionals can attend seminars covering industry topics like how to form an LLC and tattoos and taxes.
General attendees can while away the post-poke recovery time by watching the sideshow entertainment. Among the featured acts are sword swallower Reggie Bügmüncher, contortionist Camille Zambon, and Ringling Brothers’ clown James Maltman.
Villain Arts also promises performances from the Cenobyte Suspension troupe, who will dangle overhead on hooks inserted through the skin a la The Cell or the Hellraiser franchise. Yikes! Maybe keep your eyes squared firmly ahead.
Tickets are $20 for a single day and $40 for a three-day pass, and individual tattoos are not included in the admission. Those who want new ink must be 18 or over and carry a proper ID. Although Villain Arts does not list an age restriction for general attendance, squeamish kiddos should probably be left with a sitter.
San Antonio tattoo fans who want a more intimate experience can travel north the weekend before Villain Arts. The small-but-mighty Kinda Good Tattoo Convention is swooping into East Austin’s Kind Tropical bar on November 8 and 9. The two-day poke fest features 30 artists from across the globe and flash art tattoos ranging from $100-$300.