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Free Comic Book Day

It's time to get your geek on! Enjoy Free Comic Book Day with awesome giveaways, discounts, and activities - perfect for comic book lovers everywhere!

Saturday

May 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFirst Saturday in May

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYComics

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

It's time to get your geek on and celebrate Free Comic Book Day! This special day, held on the first Saturday in May each year, is when comic book stores around the world open their doors and offer a range of free comics for everyone to enjoy. It's a great chance to get your hands on some amazing stories and artwork from some of the biggest names in the industry without breaking the bank. The tradition of Free Comic Book Day was started back in 2002 as a way to promote the comics medium and encourage new readers to explore the wonderful world of comics. So grab your cape, put on your best superhero pose, and join us for an awesome day of free comic books!

DEALS & OFFERS

2026’s deals have wrapped

See who celebrated this year, and browse offers from past years.

Offers wrapped for 2026

Free Comic Book Day ran on May 2. Here’s who celebrated with offers this year.

3 brands offered a deal this year

TIMELINE

Free Comic Book Day Timeline

Inception of Free Comic Book Day

Inspired by retailer Joe Field's column, Diamond Comic Distributors and participating publishers officially initiated the Free Comic Book Day.

First Sweepstakes

The first yearly sweepstakes was held offering fans a chance to win prizes related to comics including shopping sprees based on purchases on this day.

Spider-Man 3 Promotion

Sony Pictures lined up the release of Spider-Man 3 with Free Comic Book Day, offering a special Spider-Man comic for the event.

Record-Breaking Event

More than 1.2 million people visited comic shops across the world on Free Comic Book Day, marking it as the biggest yet.

First Companion Anthologies

Publishers released a series of "Road To..." anthologies for free, serving as a primer for series with imminent major storylines or changes.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Free Comic Book Day

Visit Your Local Comic Book Store

Visit your local comic book store and pick up some of the free comics they are giving away on Free Comic Book Day. Most stores will have a large selection of comics to choose from. Don't forget to check out their other merchandise as well.

HOST

Host a Comic Book Movie Marathon

Throw a comic book movie marathon with all of your favorite superhero films. Watch your favorites, or introduce your friends to new ones. You can even have themed snacks and drinks to go along with the films.

DRESS

Dress Up As Your Favorite Character

Put together an outfit that pays homage to your favorite character from the comics. Don't forget to accessorize! If you're feeling extra creative, you can make your own costume.

CREATE

Create Your Own Comic Book

Gather up some paper, markers, pens, and other supplies and create your own comic book. Write an original story, draw the illustrations, and get creative with the dialogue. Who knows? You might have the next great comic series.

ATTEND

Attend a Comic Book Convention

Go to a local comic book convention and immerse yourself in all things related to comics. Meet artists, writers, and other fans that share your interests. You can also find rare comics and rare merchandise at the convention.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love Free Comic Book Day

It's an exciting event for all ages

From seasoned comic book readers to young kids just starting out in the world of comics, Free Comic Book Day is an event that everyone can enjoy. So bring your family and friends along for what will surely be a fun day out at your local comic store!

It's a great way to discover new comics & stories

One of the best things about Free Comic Book Day is that it gives people the opportunity to try out different genres and publishers before making a commitment. Whether you're looking for action, adventure, horror, fantasy or romance - there are so many amazing stories available, so don't miss out on the chance to find your next favorite comic book!

You can meet your favorite creators

Free Comic Book Day isn't just about getting free comics - it's also a great way to meet and interact with some of your favorite comic book writers and artists. Most comic book stores host special signings or Q&As during these events, so take advantage of this unique opportunity and come prepared with some questions!

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