A Huge Tattoo Festival is Happening in Iowa This Weekend

300 tattoo artists from all over the country will descend upon Des Moines this weekend! The annual Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention returns to the Iowa Events Center April 10th through 12th!

What's the Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention?

Middle of the Map is a huge annual tattoo convention that features around 300 tattoo artists from all over the United States. Obviously, there are a ton of Iowa and Midwest artists that attend the event each year, but there are plenty of other states represented, too! The 2026 event will feature artists from Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, California, Tennessee, and even Florida!

In addition to all the artists and vendors, the convention will also feature live music, a silent auction, tattoo competitions, food & beverages, special guests, and more. This year, there's even a WORST tattoo competition, with the winner going home with a free tattoo removal!

What Iowa Tattoo Shops Will Be There?

Artists from tattoo shops from all corners of the Hawkeye State will be showing off their work at the Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention this weekend! Here are some of the shops that will be represented at the 2026 event:

• All Day Tattoo and Art Studio, Ankeny
• Arcadian Tattoo, Des Moines
• Ashley McGee Tattoo, Norwalk
• Black Dahlia Tattoo, Ankeny
• Bloodroot & Bone, Knoxville
• Dark Cloud Tattoo, Iowa City
• Dreamscape Studios, West Liberty
• Driftless Soul Tattoo, Decorah
• DSM Tattoo Collective, Des Moines
• Electric Warlock Tattoo, West Des Moines
• Empire Tattoo, Ankeny
• Evolution Tattoo, Cedar Rapids
• Grim River Tattoo, Dubuque
• Honey and Vinegar Tattoos, Cedar Falls
• Iron Heart Tattoo & Piercing, Des Moines
• Iron Lotus Tattoo & Body Piercing, Cedar Rapids
• Legacy Tattoo and Art Co., Grimes
• Lucky Gal Tattoo and Piercing, Des Moines
• Major Ink Tattoo Studio, Muscatine
• McKeag Art, Cedar Rapids
• Neon Dragon Tattoo, Cedar Rapids
• Nine Dot Studio, Burlington
• Revival Tattoo Studio, Urbandale
• Rosegold Studios, Milford
• Saged Souls Tattoo Collective, Marion
• Soulless Tattoo Collective, Mason City
• Swanky Bits Tattoo, Iowa City
• Triple Diamond Tattoo, Waterloo
• Underground Ink, Webster City
• Warrior Tattoo Studio, Waukee
• Yankee Doodle Dandy Tattoo, Des Moines

Check out a full list of 2026 exhibitors HERE.

Where/When is the Event?

The 2026 Middle of the Map Tattoo Convention will take place at the EMC Expo Center in Des Moines April 10th through 12th. Convention hours for each day are:

• Friday from 2 p.m. to midnight
• Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight
• Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where Can I Buy Tickets?

Tickets for the convention can be purchased online HERE. One-day passes are $25 each and weekend passes for all 3 days are $50. For everything you need to know before you go, check out the official event website HERE.

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READ MORE: The Top-Rated Tattoo Shops Across Eastern Iowa [LIST]