Horror fans and tattoo lovers: the annual New York Blood and Ink Tattoo & Horror Convention returns to White Plains this weekend.
From Friday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 5, the Westchester County Center will be filled with tattoo artists from around the world, along with tattoo contests, a beauty pageant, sideshow acts, vendors and celebrity guests.
Blood and Ink Tattoo & Horror Convention’s 9th year in Westchester
The convention, co-founded by Chris Wilock and sponsored by his tattoo studio, Addicted to Ink, has a wide variety of activities lined up for 2025. Artists from across the globe, for instance, will be available for those looking for new ink.
But you don’t have to get a tattoo to enjoy this event, Wilcock said. Once called the Westchester Tattoo Convention, the event rebranded last year to include horror.
“There was a lot of overlap with the crowds,” Wilcock said. “Instead of having two different events, (I thought) it would be cool to combine them into one big one with one ticket price.”
“People can come out and enjoy the best of both worlds,” he added.
Ticket holders can enjoy vendors, performers like from aerial expert Soaring Sam and the Coney Island Sideshow Act, plus comedians and DJs.
Celebrity appearances from ‘Saw,’ ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ ‘Charmed’ and more
The convention will have celebrity appearances, too. Among them will be actors Theo Rossi, David Labrava and Emilio Rivera, who will host a “Sons of Anarchy”/”Mayans” panel, and Costas Mandylor and Franky G from the “Saw” movie franchise. Other notable appearances include Slipknot band member, Chris Fehn, and Seth Gilliam of “The Walking Dead” and “The Wire” fame.
“We have like a nice range of stuff that kind of hits on different demos,” Wilcock said. “Last year, we started out horror focused. This year, we went horror, but also adjacent.”
This year’s convention is hosting a special Charmed Reunion Panel and Q&A featuring actors Holly Marie Combs, Brian Krause and Drew Fuller.
“It’s not a horror thing, (but) the crowds kind of like it,” Wilcock said. “So we’re excited to have that reunion.”
The annual Miss Inked Pageant will also be taking place, with the chance for participants to win cash, free tattoos, trophies and other prizes.
A family friendly convention
The New York Blood and Ink Tattoo & Horror Convention welcomes children and families.
“I’m a single dad. I know when you want to go to an event, it’s hard,” Wilcock said. “So we try to program (the convention) where it’s still, at its nature, what it is, but have stuff for the kids to do.”
Each year, it has a dedicated children’s area, The Kids Zone, which provides some kid-favorite activities for free, including bounce houses, games and more. Children under the age of 12 receive free admission.
If you go to the 9th annual Blood and Ink Tattoo & Horror Convention
When: The Tattoo Convention runs from 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 through 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.
Hours vary. Check out bloodandinkny.com/pages/schedule for the full schedule.
Where: Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains.
Cost: A single-day admission ticket begins at $20 plus processing fees. Ticket prices vary by day and type of ticket. See bloodandinkny.com for details.
Admission for children ages 12 and younger is free. Veterans, police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel can also receive free admission at the box office with valid ID.
For more information and to purchase tickets: Check out the event’s website at bloodandinkny.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Tattoo & horror convention returns to Westchester Oct. 3, 2025 weekend. How to attend
Reporting by Samantha Antrum, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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