The three-day event will bring in more than 300 skilled tattoo artists from Arizona and elsewhere for a weekend of ink-slinging, body-mod fun. There will also be tattoo competitions each day, performances by burlesque and freakshow artists, a “Star Wars” costume contest and an art battle.
Hell City Tattoo Fest is put on by an Ohio-based company and has been bringing the event to Arizona since 2002. Durb Morrison, Hell City’s owner and organizer, told Phoenix New Times in 2024 that the festival thrives thanks to the Valley’s booming tattoo scene. “It's been well-received since we brought it there because it's such a huge tattoo and body-mod city,” he says.
What else is on tap for Hell City Tattoo Festival 2025 in Phoenix? Here’s a complete guide with everything to know.
Tattoo work inspired by "Star Wars" at last year's Hell City in Phoenix.
Benjamin Leatherman
Is there a tattoo convention in Phoenix this weekend?
Yes. Hell City Tattoo Festival is Arizona’s biggest tattoo convention of the year. The three-day event includes more than 300 artists plus live entertainment and tattoo competion for prizes.When and where is Hell City Tattoo Festival 2025?
Hell City Tattoo Festival in Phoenix runs from Friday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, 2400 E. Missouri Ave.What are the hours of Hell City Tattoo Festival Phoenix?
Here's the official Hell City 2025 schedule in Phoenix:- Friday, Aug. 22: noon to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 23: noon to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 24: noon to 8 p.m.
A "Back to the Future" tattoo created by Valley artist Manuel Flowers.
Benjamin Leatherman
Hell City Tattoo Festival Phoenix tickets
Tickets for Hell City Phoenix are available at hellcity.com. Advance prices are $27 for Friday and Sunday, $32 for Saturday or $70 for the weekend. Prices will increase at the door.Can anyone get a tattoo at Hell City?
Hell City Phoenix is open to all ages, but only patrons 18 or older can get a tattoo or piercing.Parking at Arizona Biltmore
A public parking structure is available at Arizona Biltmore. Rates are $8 per vehicle for up to four hours, $12 for up to eight hours and $23 for overnight. Valet parking is for $30 per night. 
More than 300 tattoo artists from Arizona and elsewhere will be at Hell City this weekend.
Benjamin Leatherman
Hell City Phoenix artist lineup
More than 300 tattoo and body-mod artists from throughout Arizona and across the U.S. will do their thing at Hell City Phoenix. The lineup includes locals like Mia Manzanedo of Prescott's Modern Craft Tattoo Studio, Dana Nicole of Monarch Studio in Phoenix and Marcus Cova of Yuma's Sacred Culture Tattoo. The full artist roster is available here.Hell City Phoenix tattoo competition schedule
One of Hell City’s biggest highlights are the tattoo competition taking place each day. “The crowds love it and many artists are there to compete,” Morrison told New Times in 2024. Veteran artists like Travis Chick of Dallas Tattoo in Texas and Manuel Flowers of Tempe’s Next Level Studio will judge new and existing pieces in multiple categories. It’s $20 per entry to participate and winners will receive a trophy. Here’s the complete schedule of tattoo compeitions:Friday, Aug. 22:
Registration begins at noon with winners announced from 8 to 11 p.m. on the main stage.
- Best Asian tattoo
- Best new school tattoo
- Most unusual and weird
- Best traditional
- Best geometric tattoo
- Best hand/foot tattoo
- Tattoo of the day
Saturday, Aug. 23:
Registration begins at noon. Winners will be announced from 8 to 11 p.m.
- Best small color
- Best small black and grey
- Best bio/organic
- Best arm/leg sleeve
- Best back piece/chest panel
- Tattoo of the day
Sunday, Aug. 24:
Registration starts at noon. Winners will be announced from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Star Wars tattoo contest
- Best large color
- Best large black and grey (including tribal tattoos)
- Best portrait
- Best overall female
- Best overall male
- Best wet painter
- Tattoo of the day contest
- Best of show
- Artist of show
