Golden State Tattoo Expo 2026
A premier West Coast tattoo convention hosted by Nikko Hurtado & Carlos Torres, gathering world-class artists at the Pasadena Convention Center.
Event details
- Dates: September 18-20, 2026
- Venue: Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA
- Location: Pasadena, CA
- Organizer: Hosted by Nikko Hurtado & Carlos Torres
- Founded: 2016
- Frequency: Annual
- Attendance: N/A
- Artists / booths: N/A
- Tickets: $30/day - $60 weekend; children 12 & under free
- Tattoo competitions: yes, judged categories run across the weekend
- Website: https://goldenstatetattooexpo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenstatetattooexpo/
About
Held annually each September at the Pasadena Convention Center, the Golden State Tattoo Expo is one of the most prestigious tattoo conventions on the West Coast. Hosted by renowned artists Nikko Hurtado and Carlos Torres, it brings together world-class headliners alongside the next generation of talent for three days of live tattooing, seminars, and judged competitions.
For artists, the expo is a high-caliber stage to compete across roughly seventeen judged contest categories, learn directly from ink masters through seminars, and network with peers and industry vendors. Its concentration of elite realism, black-and-grey, and color specialists makes it a key calendar fixture for professionals looking to build reputation and connections in the Southern California scene.
What to expect
- Judged tattoo competitions across ~17 categories including Best Black & Gray, Best Color, Best Realism, Best Sleeve, and Tattoo of the Day
- Seminars taught directly by world-renowned ink masters
- World-class headliners plus next-generation talent tattooing live on the floor
- Live performances, music, and burlesque entertainment
- Vendor market for original art, jewelry, fashion, tools, and tattoo innovations
- Best of Show pieces tattooed live on the convention floor
Best for
Realism, black-and-grey, and color artists seeking elite competition and exposure
Notable: Co-hosted by celebrated realism artists Nikko Hurtado and Carlos Torres; first held in 2016 and now in its 11th year.
How we check this listing
We last confirmed these details on 2026-07-06. Dates and prices are taken from the organizer and change between editions, so treat the organizer's own page as final before you book travel or a booth.
Checked against: https://goldenstatetattooexpo.com/, https://www.visitpasadena.com/events/golden-state-tattoo-expo/, https://www.worldtattooevents.com/golden-state-tattoo-expo/