New Mexico Tattoo Fiesta

New Mexico's largest annual tattoo convention, bringing 400+ artists to the Albuquerque Convention Center each July.

Event details

About

Now in its 14th year, the New Mexico Tattoo Fiesta is Albuquerque's biggest annual tattoo convention, taking over the downtown Albuquerque Convention Center for three days each July. The 2025 edition featured over 400 artists from across the state, country, and abroad, alongside live tattooing, tattoo contests, music, vendors, and entertainment. Day passes run $30 and weekend passes $50, with kids 14 and under free.

The Fiesta was founded around 2013 by John "Bael" Sisneros, owner of the well-known Por Vida Tattoo shop (it grew out of the earlier 'Duke City Tattoo Fiesta'), and built its reputation over more than a decade as a destination event with a curated artist roster. After Sisneros was killed in late 2024, the convention has continued in his honor, with proceeds tied to the Bael Foundation. For working artists, it is the marquee Southwest stop in New Mexico - a chance to take walk-ins, build clientele, and compete in front of a strong regional crowd.

What to expect

Best for

Artists wanting the marquee Southwest convention in New Mexico

For artists: booths, applications, hours

Booth pricing is not published for 2026, and there is no online application form. Booth inquiries go by email to the organizer. No deadline or sold-out status has been announced.

Out-of-state artists need a New Mexico RLD guest artist registration: filed online at least 10 days before the event, $100, with CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens certificates plus verification of a home-state license. The organizer registers the show with the NM Board of Body Art for July 10-12, 2026 and files a list of every attending artist, so expect your name on it.

Hours are Friday, July 10, 2026, 1PM to 11PM, Saturday 11AM to 11PM, Sunday 11AM to 7PM, at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 2nd St NW. An artist dinner is set for Thursday, July 9, 2026, 7pm to 10pm. Contests run all three days, with a $10 entry per tattoo paid at the contest table.

Visitors pay $30 for a day pass, $50 for the weekend, $20 for a three-day military, police or fire pass with ID, and no charge for children 14 and under; bought online with fees, 2026 tickets run $38.32 to $61.04. Venue garage parking is $10 to $20 per vehicle, no in and out. The hotel block is at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 201 Marquette Ave NW; the rate is not published.

Notable: Founded by the late John "Bael" Sisneros of Por Vida Tattoo; the event now continues in his memory, tied to the Bael Foundation.

How we check this listing

We last confirmed these details on 2026-09-05. 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://www.newmexicotattoofiesta.com/, https://www.newmexicotattoofiesta.com/info, https://www.newmexicotattoofiesta.com/contests, https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/body-art-practitioners/licensing-registration-and-renewal/, https://albuquerquecc.com/about-us/visitors/parking/