
Thousands of inked-up body art fans descended on Sydney for the Rites of Passage tattoo festival on the weekend.

More than 250 tattoo artists around the world gave attendees new ink in hundreds of booths where businesses also sold other tattoo-related products.

The 10,000 patrons also watched 14 tattoo competitions over October 27-29, while nine women competed in the Miss Rites of Passage contest.

Entertainment also included live music, MX Freestyle action, a battle of the bands contest, and meals from local food trucks.

The event has been held in Melbourne for the past five years and added a Sydney leg for the first time this year, taking over the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park.

Organisers said the event was built on the core value of family, and allowing people to be themselves.

'Forget all ego and self-righteousness, and bring it back to what the meaning of 'tattooing' means for each and every one of us,' they said.

'It is an opportunity to share our own story, to wear our journey with pride and to connect to all like-minded people about an art form that has evolved long since the times of outlaw sailors.

'Tattoos are recognised around the world and they are here to stay (well, one would hope so, otherwise you got ripped off).'

One of 250 artists at the Rites of Passage tattoo festival in Sydney on Sunday works on a customer, and has significant ink of his own including on his eyeballs

A couple show off their body art including tattooed eyeballs, numerous piercings, and a forked tongue

An artist completes as complicated and colourful tattoo on a bearded patrons back

The customer stands to show off the completed tattoo across his upper back

Another colourful full-back tattoo being complemented with one on his bald head

This back tattoo features and woman, a smoking revolver, and a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House

A woman takes her young daughter along to watch her get additional tattoos on her leg

A woman gets a new new tattoo on the back of her leg in addition to faces on her arms

A tattoo artist works on a design on the back of a man's lower leg during the festival

A closer look at the tattoo reveals the design to be a demon head complete with horns

An inked-up artist works on a colourful design on a customer's foot

The customer is one of 10,000 who headed for the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park for the three-day festival on October 27-29

Another artist who has tattoos across his arms, neck and face works on another design

The design appears to feature a three-eyed dog with huge fangs coming out of his flesh

A woman rests her mobile phone on her chest as she gets a tattoo on her right arm

The event has been held in Melbourne for the past five years and added a Sydney leg for the first time this year

Organisers said the event was built on the core value of family, and allowing people to be themselves

Entertainment also included live music, MX Freestyle action, a battle of the bands contest, and meals from local food trucks

Tattoos were done in booths out in the open across the festival with hundreds getting new work done