When is Free Comic Book Day?
Free Comic Book Day 2027 is on Saturday
Saturday, May 1, 2027
The first Saturday in May. That's in 196 days.
until Free Comic Book Day begins, in your time zone
Free Comic Book Day is a yearly event where participating comic book shops give away specially printed comics at no charge. The comics industry started it in 2002 to bring new readers, especially children, into local comic stores.
About Free Comic Book Day
On Free Comic Book Day, independent comic shops hand out free issues that publishers print just for the occasion. The giveaway titles range from superhero adventures to all-ages stories, and they are meant as easy starting points for people who have never visited a comic store. Shops often add their own activities, such as creator signings, costume contests and sales, so the details vary from store to store.
The idea came from Joe Field, owner of Flying Colors Comics in Concord, California. His store shared a strip mall with an ice cream shop, and seeing the long lines there on a free-cone promotion day made him wonder why comics couldn't do the same. Publishers and distributors agreed to back the plan at an industry meeting, and the first Free Comic Book Day was held on May 4, 2002, the day after Marvel's first Spider-Man movie opened in theaters.
The event became one of the busiest days of the year for comic retailers. ICv2, a trade publication, describes more than 2,000 participating stores. Diamond Comic Distributors owned the event for many years, but after Diamond filed for bankruptcy in January 2025, the event passed to a new owner, and in October 2025 the Canadian distributor Universal Distribution acquired it. For 2026, organizers announced that the event would also reach some tabletop game stores. Participation is up to each store, so the free titles and limits on how many comics each visitor can take differ by location.
Sources: Free Comic Book Day: Free Comic Book Day is Back on May 2, ICv2: Retailer Joe Field Has Been a Leader in the Comics Business for Decades (2023), ICv2: Free Comic Book Day Acquired (October 2025). How we check dates.
How to mark Free Comic Book Day
- Use the official store locator to find a participating comic shop near you and check its hours and any limits before you go.
- Bring a child and let them choose an all-ages title to start their own collection.
- Pick up a comic from a publisher or genre you've never read before.
- If a creator signing is scheduled at your local shop, bring a book to have signed and thank the artist in person.
- Pass extra free comics along to a school, library or children's hospital program that accepts donations.
Free Comic Book Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Saturday, May 3, 2025 |
| 2026 | Saturday, May 2, 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, May 1, 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, May 6, 2028 |
| 2029 | Saturday, May 5, 2029 |
| 2030 | Saturday, May 4, 2030 |
| 2031 | Saturday, May 3, 2031 |
Also on May 1
Related days
Explore
Frequently asked questions
When is Free Comic Book Day 2027?
Free Comic Book Day 2027 is on Saturday, May 1, 2027. It falls on the first Saturday in May. In 2028, it is on Saturday, May 6, 2028.
Who started Free Comic Book Day?
California comic shop owner Joe Field of Flying Colors Comics came up with the idea, and comic publishers and distributors launched it together on May 4, 2002.
Are the comics really free?
Yes. The special Free Comic Book Day issues are free at participating shops, though each store sets its own limits and may sell other items that day.
Is Free Comic Book Day a public holiday?
No. Free Comic Book Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.