‘Vibrant’ tattoo convention returns to Tri-Cities for 15th year. Here’s a guide
A popular event for Tri-Cities tattoo enthusiasts is celebrating 15 years of ink and art.
The Three Rivers Tattoo Convention will be held at the Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 West Grandridge Blvd. in Kennewick, from Friday, Sept. 26, though Sunday, Sept. 28.
The annual tattoo convention brings together artists from more than 50 tattoo shops in one building.
In 2025, participating shops are based throughout Washington state, as well as in California, Oregon, Idaho and Hawai’i.
Throughout the weekend, artists with each shop will display designs for sale and book appointments for everything from small ankle pieces to full back designs.
It’s a three-day escape for tattoo beginners and aficionados alike.
“Our goal has always been to create an event that both artists and the public genuinely look forward to, and that growth and excitement shows in every corner of the convention,” said Sybil Young, the convention center’s director of sales and marketing.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2025 Three Rivers Tattoo Convention.
How has Tri-Cities tattoo convention grown?
When it started in 2010, the Three Rivers Tattoo Convention was a small, two-day show.
“Fifteen years later, it’s grown into a full three-day convention that fills the entire facility,” Young said.
Each year, hundreds of artists, vendors and visitors come to Tri-Cities for the convention.
Young says this boosts the local economy, bringing hotel stays, restaurant visits and shopping at local businesses.
“It’s not just about bringing their skills here; they’re also investing in the community while they’re here,” Young said. “From the SpringHill Suites attached to the convention center to nearby restaurants and shops, the event creates a boost in business for the whole area.”
“Over 15 years, it’s become a weekend that local businesses look forward to just as much as attendees and artists do,” Young added.
In the 15 years since the first convention, tattoos have gained cultural acceptance in the Tri-Cities — and the country too.
“Alongside the size and duration, the culture has evolved too,” Young said. “Tattooing has become far more mainstream and accepted, which means we now see an amazing variety of attendees.”
Young said growing acceptance of body art has been a “huge factor” in the convention’s success, bringing more talented artists and a broader audience to the Kennewick convention center.
“Today, we’re welcoming not just individual collectors, but whole families — people bring their kids, their parents, even their grandparents,” Young said. “It’s become a multi-generational experience. That shift in public perception has helped the show grow from a niche gathering into a large, vibrant celebration of tattooing as an art form and a culture.”
What can I expect at Three Rivers Tattoo Convention in 2025?
While a total of 51 tattoo shops are registered for the 2025 Three Rivers Tattoo Convention, the number of artists at the convention is far higher.
Most shops bring multiple artists and some share booths with other shops, according to Young.
“In fact, we’ve sold out booths for several years running and maintain a full waitlist,” Young said.
Attendees can walk through the convention center and admire the art, or book an appointment to get a tattoo onsite. Some artists will offer sales or special services such as tattoo roulettes, where customers can let fate decide their next tattoo.
There will also be 25 non-tattoo vendors offering services including piercings, jewelry, art prints, specialty photography and temporary tattoos for kids.
“We like to keep the vendor lineup fresh, so attendees can expect both fan favorites and new experiences to explore between tattoos,” Young said.
How to enter daily tattoo contests at the convention
The schedule includes seminars, entertainment and daily tattoo competitions.
Attendees pay $5 to enter each contest. There is no limit to how many contests an individual can enter, or how many tattoos they can enter in a given category. You must pay for each entry. Individual tattoos can only be entered into one category.
Contests are judged blind by a panel of three tattoo artists who award the top three entries for each category. Each win a plaque for both the artist and the attendee.
Aside from the Tattoo of the Day category, entries must be fully healed.
The Tattoo of the Day category includes only tattoos done at the convention that day, and is one of the longest-running traditions of the event. Young says they’ve done it every year.
For contests, “small” tattoos are those measuring up to 6 inches by 6 inches, while large tattoos are anything bigger than that size. Sleeves include both arm and leg pieces, so long as at least three-quarters of the given limb is covered.
What’s the schedule at the Kennewick tattoo convention?
On Friday, Sept. 26, the Three Rivers Tattoo Convention runs from noon to 10 p.m. The daily schedule includes:
- 3 p.m.: Small American traditional tattoo contest
- 4 p.m.: Small color tattoo contest
- 5 p.m.: Small black and gray tattoo contest
- 6 p.m.: Portrait tattoo contest
- 6:30 p.m.: Dreamscape Circus featuring Jordie Campbell
- 7 p.m.: Anime tattoo contest
- 8 p.m.: Jobstopper tattoo contest (head, face, neck and hand tattoos)
- 8:30 p.m.: Dreamscape Circus featuring Jordie Campbell
- 9 p.m.: Tattoo of the Day contest
On Saturday, Sept. 27, the convention center will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The daily schedule includes:
- 10 a.m.: Seminar: Procreate basics for tattoos artists (vendors only)
- 2 p.m.: Coverup tattoo contest (must bring a picture of the covered piece)
- 3 p.m.: Large American traditional tattoo contest
- 4 p.m.: Large color tattoo contest
- 5 p.m.: Large black and gray tattoo contest
- 6 p.m.: Color sleeve tattoo contest
- 6:30 p.m.: Dreamscape Circus featuring Jordie Campbell
- 7 p.m.: Black and gray sleeve tattoo contest
- 8 p.m.: Taylor Kyle the American Mystifier
- 9 p.m.: Tattoo of the Day contest
On Sunday, Sept. 28, you can attend the tattoo convention in Kennewick from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The daily schedule includes:
- 10 a.m.: Seminar: Springing and tuning machines like Jim Rosal (vendors only)
- 1 p.m.: Tribal/mandala/ornate design tattoo contest
- 2 p.m.: Full back tattoo contest
- 3 p.m.: Asian tattoo contest
- 5 p.m.: Tattoo of the Day contest
Additionally, New Generations Car Club will hosts its annual Show Ur Ride Car Show on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with awards at 3 p.m.
Each entry into the show comes with a ticket to the tattoo convention.
Will there be food and drinks at the tattoo convention in Tri-Cities?
Experts say it’s critical to eat and drink water before getting a tattoo to avoid passing out.
Food options at the Three Rivers Tattoo Convention include classics such as burgers, fries and soft pretzels.
Young says there will also be seasonal specials and new options including bibimbap bowls and tacos.
Re-entry is allowed, so if you’d like to leave to get food elsewhere, then come back for more ink, just make sure to get a stamp on your way out.
The convention will have drinks as well.
“We’e become a bit famous for our Bloody Marys — they’re a must try — but that’s just the beginning,” Young said. “The full bar will be open all weekend with a lineup of specialty cocktails created just for the show, plus beer, wine and non-alcoholic options for every taste.”
The Bloody Marys come loaded with flavor and accoutrements, including a full strip of bacon.
How much are tickets to Three Rivers Tattoo Convention?
You can get one-, two- or three-day passes for the convention.
Single day tickets are $15 each, while a three-day pass costs $35. Both are available to purchase through Ticketmaster or in person at the convention entrance.
Two-day passes must be purchased onsite.
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM.