MANSFIELD — More than 75,000 fans will descend on the Ohio State Reformatory this weekend for three days of music and tattoos at one of Ohio’s biggest festivals.

Whether it’s your first Inkcarceration or your fifth, a little planning goes a long way. Ohio weather can change by the hour, cell service can become spotty and there’s far more to experience than just the music.

We’ve gathered everything you need to know as you head to Mansfield — from what to pack and where to eat to how to get tattooed, tour the historic prison and catch some of the weekend’s best acts.

We did not include camping or hotel information, because hopefully you have made those decisions already.

Consider this your one-stop guide to surviving — and making the most of — Inkcarceration 2026.

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P.S. Don’t forget to check out the pre-party at Warehouse Tavern, which is free with an Ink wristband, on Thursday. Doors open at 5 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m.

If you’re in town early, don’t miss the Inkcarceration pre-party at Warehouse Tavern. Here’s the Facebook Event link.

First-timer’s checklist

For festival newbies, below are a few quick tips. If you read nothing else, keep these in mind:

  • Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll be on your feet all day.
  • Drink more water than you think you need.
  • Pack and wear sunscreen, even if the forecast looks cloudy.
  • Bring a refillable plastic water bottle.
  • Use the Inkcarceration mobile app to build your schedule and reserve self-guided prison tours.
  • Pick a meeting spot in case your group gets separated and you have limited cell service.
  • Tour the Ohio State Reformatory early before crowds build.
  • Pace yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
  • Expect the unexpected. Ohio weather always has a vote.
  • Leave room in your schedule for surprises. Some of the best festival moments are the ones you did not plan.
  • Bring a good attitude. Be patient, look out for the people around you and soak in the full festival experience.

Weather, wardrobe and what to pack

Festivalgoers have one important message: Expect everything.

You’ll likely leave sunburned, muddy or soaked at least once during the three-day festival.

Returning attendees offer their best advice for expecting the unexpected.

Pack for all seasons

Ohio weather changes by the hour. Attendees recommend lightweight clothing during the day, but bring layers or a change of clothes in a locker in case temperatures drop after sunset or storms roll through.

Umbrellas are not permitted, but attendee Catrina Gravel said ponchos are a great alternative for rain gear or something to sit on if the ground gets muddy.

people at concert
Inkcarceration fans rock on in the rain Saturday evening at the former Ohio State Reformatory. Credit: Zac Hiser

Stay Hydrated

A refillable plastic water bottle is allowed under festival rules to take advantage of free refill stations throughout the grounds.

Returning attendees like Katie Rose recommend bring electrolyte or flavor packets to make staying hydrated a little easier.

“Big on the water flavor packs,” Rose wrote. “The free water station sucks.”

She also recommends bringing pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen for long days in the sun.

Festivalgoer Frankie Howell recommends tossing spare bottle caps into your bag before heading to the grounds. Bottles purchased inside the festival have their caps removed, making them harder to carry between sets or refill later.

If you’re packing for your first Inkcarceration, these essentials are worth making room for:

  • Comfortable shoes (multiple)
  • Lotion sunscreen
  • Deodorant
  • Dude wipes
  • Wet wipes
  • Bandana for dust
  • Ponchos
  • Electrolyte and flavor packets
  • Portable charger
  • Protein bars
  • Hats and fans
  • Extra cash
  • Pain reliever
  • Earplugs

Some weather and events may be unpredictable, but the packing list doesn’t have to be. Pack comfortably, smart and party hard.

How to get inked at Ink: A complete walkthrough

Getting tattooed at a prison is the singular reason the festival is called Inkcarceration.

It’s the reason more than one hundred tattoo artists come to the Ohio State Reformatory from across the country, putting themselves and their work in front of a high volume of people, ready and willing to put their services to work.

So how do you go about getting tattooed at Inkcarceration?

It starts online. Some artists allow booking months in advance, only tattooing upon appointment. Others allow walk-ups, but booking online is highly recommended. The list of artists is findable on Inkcarceration’s website.

A woman getting inked at the 2025 fest. Photo: Rob Stroul

The list contains every tattoo artist, who they work for, whether they are appointment-only for Inkcarceration and links to their social media. Most artists have their booking information, as well as examples of their work, front and center on social media.

Walk-up tattoos may be limited to pre-drawn work. The best way to secure a walk-up spot is getting to Inkcarceration early, and heading to the Tattoo X area inside the reformatory immediately.

If you are getting tattooed at Inkcarceration, be sure to mosh with scrutiny. Good aftercare means protecting new tattoos from sweat, sun and dirt – three things inalienable from an outdoor music festival filled with thrash-approving music.

It’s a good idea to come prepared with cash, too. Most artists will accept cardless payment, through platforms like CashApp or Venmo, but it’s never a certainty, especially for the walk-up crowd.

Where to eat, drink, unwind and relax near the festival

Looking for a place to kick back outside of the festival grounds? Below are some nearby places to eat, drink and unwind throughout the weekend.

Eat

Drink 

Unwind

Ink on a budget: Tips to maximize fun without breaking the bank

Inkcarceration’s lineup of food and beverage vendors offer plenty of opportunities to support local entrepreneurs and satisfy your tastebuds. But the tempting aromas, mouthwatering meals and allure of an ice cold drink on a hot day can also drain your wallet fast. 

To save some money at Ink, consider eating a hearty breakfast or early lunch before the gates open to minimize your hunger later. If you’re camping or otherwise staying nearby, bring some snacks and reheatable meals from home to enjoy after the show ends each day.

Remember that outside food and beverages (except for one factory sealed water bottle) aren’t allowed inside the festival. 

If you’re going with friends, consider splitting a meal. Bringing a refillable water bottle (plastic only) and some electrolyte packets can help cut your drink costs. Set a budget for how much you want to spend on food and drinks, then stick to it.

For non-food related tips, we suggest you travel light to avoid paying a locker fee at Ink. 

If you’re looking for something to do outside the gates, take advantage of free and low cost attractions like the Mansfield Art Center, Gorman Nature Center, Fleming Falls Nature Preserve and Richland Carrousel Park.

And once you return, take a free self-guided tour of the Ohio State Reformatory, included with the festival ticket.

What can’t I bring into the fest?

As festivalgoers prepare to enter the grounds of the historic Ohio State Reformatory, there’s a few things they should leave behind at their hotel or camping spot. Here’s what Inkcarceration does not allow into the festival:

  • Chains, chain wallets or spikes
  • Metal containers (ex. Yetis or Hydroflasks)
  • Umbrellas
  • Large bags, backpacks or duffle bags
  • Chairs
  • Aerosol cans
  • Coolers or picnic baskets
  • Outside food or beverages (the one exception is one factory-sealed bottle of water no larger than 20 ounces)
  • Glass containers
  • Strollers
  • Video cameras or GoPros
  • Audio recording devices
  • Laptops or tablets
  • Professional cameras or cameras with removable lenses
  • Selfie sticks
  • Lasers or laser pointers
  • Drones
  • Hula hoops or totems
  • Balloons or beach balls
  • Confetti or glow sticks
  • Whistles or air horns
  • Fireworks or explosives
  • Musical instruments
  • Weapons
  • Drugs or drug paraphernalia
  • Pets (the one exception being service animals, see policy)
  • Colors or patches
  • Unauthorized vending or advertising
  • Walkie talkies or two way radios

Find out more about what is allowed on the festival’s website.

Where can I go for supply runs?

When not at Ink, festivalgoers may need to stock up on ice, water, food and possibly an adult beverage (or two). Here are some local stops within a reasonable distance from OSR that should carry all of the basics:

  • Kroger, 1060 Ashland Road in Mansfield, open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
  • Walmart, 359 N. Lexington Springmill Road in Ontario, open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
  • Meijer, 1355 N. Lexington Springmill Road in Ontario, open 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
  • Target, 2205 Walker Lake Road in Ontario, open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
  • BP gas station, 680 N. Main St. in Mansfield, open 24 hours a day.

Beyond the Music: How to tour the real ‘Shawshank’ prison

Can I visit the historic Ohio State Reformatory during Inkcarceration?

You can see the historic building, obviously. The show is in the old prison’s front yard.

And yes, festival guests are welcome to tour OSR during INK at no additional charge.

Self-guided access to the building is available from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day of the festival, according to Dan Smith, the associate director of the prison.

Guided tours inside the “Shawshank Prison” will not be available during the annual music festival.

Blood Prison was also featured at 2025 Inkcarceration. Photo: Nathan Zucker

OSR, often called “Dracula’s Castle,” was built in stages between 1886 and 1910. The prison opened its doors to its first 150 inmates in 1896 and closed at the end of 1990.

“Blood Prison” will also be available at OSR during the festival.

The haunt inside the walls will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. each day. The price is $15.

Tickets, only available to those who have purchased Inkcarceration tickets, can be purchased online at https://inkcarceration.com/blood-prison/

How not to end up in jail or the hospital

Don’t get arrested. Don’t end up in the hospital.

Two admirable goals for attendees every year at the Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival.

Fortunately, neither of those things have been a big problem since the annual festival came to the former Ohio State Reformatory grounds.

“For the most part, people come out to enjoy the bands and the festivities and there are no real problems,” said Keith Porch, the city of Mansfield safety-service director.

Porch was a long-time Mansfield police officer who retired as chief in 2024 when he stepped into his new role. He has seen the festival since its inception, growing now to welcome 75,000-plus fans over three days.

“People are fairly well behaved. When that event first started, I thought we would have way more incidents and arrests. Anytime you have large crowds and alcohol being consumed … look at concerts around the country, you would think there would be more incidents and fights.

“We have each year a very low number of incidents at this event that result in arrests. That’s still shocking to me, quite honestly,” Porch said.

2024 Ink festivalgoers. Photo: Rob Stroul Credit: Rob Stroul

Mansfield police Sgt. Joe Soehnlen contracts with concert organizers to provide a law enforcement presence inside the concert grounds, according to Porch. Soehnlen then signs up Mansfield officers to work details at the event.

“Our patrol section will work traffic outside the grounds and we will have a couple of Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to assist, as well,” he said.

The city will also have its new 38-foot, $862,079 mobile command center on the festival grounds. That unit will allow enhanced communication and dispatch. It also has a tethered drone that will provide for overwatch from 150 feet above the grounds.

The Mansfield Fire Department will have a presence at the festival, though Porch said concert organizers have a doctor and private EMS on the grounds, as well.

The key, he said, is to have an operational plan for the weekend.

“You have to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” he said.

His advice to stay out of jail and avoid the hospital during the festival?

“Watch the amount of alcohol you consume, especially during the heat of the day. Make sure you stay hydrated. Take care of yourself medically. Don’t become so intoxicated you can’t function,” Porch said.

Navigating road closures and construction

You may notice an increased amount of orange barrels and construction signs in downtown Mansfield. That is mostly due to the Main Street Corridor Improvement Project, which will be completed by October of this year.

At this stage, businesses are open and most of the roadways are navigable or easy to detour. Don’t let this deter you from checking out downtown if you have the time.

Whether you’re traveling through downtown or wanting to explore, here’s a map provided by Downtown Mansfield Inc. of the latest closures this weekend.

Top 10 non-headliners to catch at Inkcarceration

Headliners may sell the tickets, but some of the festival’s most memorable moments happen earlier in the day.

From reunion performances and hometown favorites to rising stars and bands who are known for outstanding live shows, these are 10 non-headlining sets that you might want to check out.

Jeffrey Nothing

Friday, July 17 | 1-1:30 p.m. | Infirmary Stage

A Cleveland native, Jeffrey Nothing was the original front man of Mushroomhead and remains one of Ohio’s most recognizable metal vocalists. His solo performances blend material from his Mushroomhead years with newer music, making this an early-afternoon set longtime fans won’t want to miss.

Rev Theory

Friday, July 17 | 2:50-3:20 p.m. | The Yard Stage

If you’ve watched WWE, NASCAR or played Madden over the past two decades, you’ve probably heard Rev Theory. The hard rock band reunited in 2025 for its first performance since 2014, and Inkcarceration offers fans another chance to catch one of the group’s first festival appearances since returning to the stage.

Sanguisugabogg

Friday, July 17 | 5:15-5:50 p.m. | Infirmary Stage

The Columbus death metal band has become one of Ohio’s fastest-rising heavy acts since forming in 2019. Expect an energetic hometown crowd and one of the weekend’s most lively pits as Sanguisugabogg returns to its home state.

Starset

Friday, July 17 | 5:50-6:25 p.m. | The Yard Stage

Columbus-based Starset brings one of the festival’s most immersive live experiences back to Ohio. Known for cinematic visuals, science fiction-inspired storytelling and arena-sized production, the band’s performances are as much a spectacle as they are a concert.

Cypress Hill

Friday, July 17 | 7:30-8:20 p.m. | The Yard Stage

One of hip-hop’s most influential groups, Cypress Hill helped bridge the gap between rap and rock long before crossover acts became common. Their live performances have leaned heavier over the years, making classics like “Insane in the Brain,” “Hits From the Bong” and “How I Could Just Kill a Man” feel right at home at Inkcarceration.

Sleep Theory

Saturday, July 18 | 3:35-4:15 p.m. | Redemption Stage

Sleep Theory is one of modern rock’s fastest-rising bands. Formed in 2019, the group has quickly collected industry recognition, including Best International Breakthrough Artist at the 2025 Heavy Music Awards and Best New Rock Artist at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. This could be the year to catch them before they move into headlining territory.

Poppy

Saturday, July 18 | 5:55-6:40 p.m. | The Yard Stage

Few artists on the lineup defy genres quite like Poppy. After first gaining attention through surreal YouTube videos, she evolved from electronic pop into metal, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance. Her live shows blend heavy music, pop and performance art into one of the festival’s most unique sets.

Gojira

Saturday, July 18 | 8:25-9:25 p.m. | Redemption Stage

Ask metal fans which band never disappoints live, and Gojira’s name comes up often. The French metal powerhouse is renowned for massive production, synchronized lighting and pyrotechnics, and an atmosphere that consistently ranks among the best at major festivals.

Alien Ant Farm

Sunday, July 19 | 3:25-3:55 p.m. | Redemption Stage

Alien Ant Farm is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its platinum-selling 2001 album ANThology. It’s a fitting time to revisit fan favorites like “Movies” and the band’s enduring cover of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.”

Ice Nine Kills

Sunday, July 19 | 6:25-7:20 p.m. | Redemption Stage

Ice Nine Kills doesn’t just perform songs — the band stages a horror production. Inspired by classic slasher films, its concerts feature theatrical storytelling, elaborate costumes and special effects that transform the set into something resembling a live horror movie.