Prison Ink 2027
Prison Ink is one of the few tattoo conventions staged inside a working prison environment. The festival takes over FÆNGSLET, the former Horsens State Penitentiary built in 1853, where tattoo artists set up booths in the old prison cells along the Arresten cell block and in the Magasinet hall, while the large outdoor prison courtyard hosts food, drinks, live music and extreme sports such as skate and BMX shows.
The 11th edition of Prison Ink takes place over three days, Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 May 2027, with daily opening hours from 11:00 to 23:00. Around 150-200 international tattoo artists from Denmark and abroad take part, and visitors can book a session with a specific artist in advance or simply walk in, as most artists accept walk-in clients on the floor.
The festival also runs a full competition programme with awards in 13 different categories, including best small tattoo, best old school and neo-traditional tattoo, best apprentice tattoo and best work of each day, judged on the Ink Stage. Alongside the tattooing areas there is an exhibition of professional graffiti art, a traders area with vendors, and an outdoor area with food and drinks in the prison yard. Day tickets and three-day passes are sold online through the organiser's ticketing page, and tattoo artists can book booth space by contacting the organiser directly.