New York, as always, has become the epicenter of the tattoo world. From May 22 to 24, 2026, the grand event – NY Empire State Tattoo Expo – unfolded at Hilton Midtown. Despite flight delays due to a thunderstorm and flooding on May 20, we made it to the opening. The venue was an ideal contrast: a business district surrounded by skyscrapers, yet a stone’s throw from Radio City Music Hall, Times Square, Grand Central, and MoMA. This is not just a show – it’s a cultural phenomenon where art meets urban energy.