Short answer: there's no confirmed national Halloween ComicFest date for 2026 yet. Your best bet is the weekend of Saturday, October 31. Find a comic shop near you and check its Instagram or Facebook page, or call, to see what it's planning.
What is Halloween ComicFest?
Halloween ComicFest started in 2012, created by Diamond Comic Distributors ten years after it launched Free Comic Book Day. On the last Saturday in October, participating comic shops handed out free, specially printed comics as a trick-or-treat alternative. Many added costume contests, creator signings and Halloween sales.
The event has changed a lot since then. In 2020, with the pandemic cutting into shop events, Diamond swapped the free comics for exclusive collectibles. Diamond then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2025. That's why the national event's future is unclear, even though many shops kept the tradition going on their own.
Is there a Halloween ComicFest in 2026?
As of October 6, 2026, halloweencomicfest.com showed only an under-construction page, with no 2026 date and no list of free comics. If an official date is announced, we'll update this page.
Don't let that stop you. Comic shops love Halloween, and many run their own events the last weekend of October. With Halloween on a Saturday this year, expect most of them on October 31.
How to find a Halloween event at a comic shop near you
- Find your nearest shops. Use our comic shop finder or browse every shop by state.
- Check their social pages. Shops usually post Halloween plans on Instagram or Facebook a week or two ahead. Most listings on our site link to the shop's website and phone number.
- Call ahead. Ask about free comics, costume contests and opening hours on October 31. Giveaways often run out early.
- Bring the kids in costume. All-ages comics and costume prizes were a big part of past Halloween ComicFests, and many shops still do them.
Cities with the most comic shops
The more shops near you, the better your odds of finding a Halloween event. These are the cities with the most comic book stores in our 2026 Comic Shop Census.
| # | City | Comic shops |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas, NV | 38 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | 36 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | 34 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | 27 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | 24 |
| 6 | Brooklyn, NY | 23 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | 22 |
| 8 | Colorado Springs, CO | 21 |
| 9 | New York (Manhattan), NY | 18 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | 17 |
Hand out comics instead of candy
Halloween ComicFest started with a simple idea: give kids a comic instead of (or alongside) candy. You can still do it. Many shops sell inexpensive all-ages comics and mini comics in bulk around Halloween. Ask your local shop, and you'll be the house on the block kids remember.
Own a comic shop? Get your Halloween event in front of collectors
Running a costume contest, giveaway or Halloween sale? Add your event for free and we'll put it on the ComicStoresNearMe events list. If you haven't claimed your shop listing yet, claim it here so your hours and links are up to date before the big weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Halloween ComicFest in 2026?
As of October 6, 2026, the official Halloween ComicFest website had not posted a 2026 date or a list of free comics. Many comic shops still hold their own Halloween events, so check with your local shop before you go.
When is Halloween ComicFest usually held?
Halloween ComicFest has traditionally been held on the last Saturday in October. In 2026, Halloween itself falls on Saturday, October 31, so most shop events are likely to land that weekend.
Are the comics really free?
At past Halloween ComicFests, participating shops gave away specially printed mini comics and all-ages issues for free. Each shop sets its own rules, such as one comic per person or a costume bonus, so ask your shop.
Is Halloween ComicFest the same as Free Comic Book Day?
No. Free Comic Book Day is the bigger spring event, held on the first Saturday in May (May 2 in 2026). Halloween ComicFest was its smaller fall cousin, started in 2012.
How do I list my shop's Halloween event?
Shop owners can add their Halloween event for free on our submit page. We'll add it to the ComicStoresNearMe events list so local collectors can find it.
Updated October 6, 2026. Sources: halloweencomicfest.com; ComicsXF, "It's the end of Halloween ComicFest as we know it" (2020); Diamond Comic Distributors Chapter 11 filing (January 14, 2025).