Comic Gong will be held every second year going forward, but the good news is it’ll remain free and perhaps even better than ever. Picture: Wollongong City Council.
Wollongong’s much-loved celebration of comics, cosplay and pop culture will take a short breather, with Comic Gong set to return in early 2027 after organisers announced a move to a biennial schedule.
Wollongong City Libraries, which delivers the event, said the decision to run Comic Gong every two years was about ensuring its long-term future as costs and logistical demands continue to rise.
Community Services Director Kerry Hunt said to maintain the quality and scale of an event that has enjoyed such rapid growth, council needed to ensure it remained sustainable.
“Moving to every two years means that Comic Gong can continue as a free and inclusive celebration for locals and visitors,” she said.
After 13 successful events, the free festival has grown from a small gathering at Corrimal Library into one of the region’s biggest pop culture celebrations, drawing more than 8000 people to Dapto Ribbonwood Centre in 2025.
Comic Gong began as a modest comics-focused event. It now encompasses artist and trader stalls, cosplay competitions, gaming, workshops and live entertainment, while continuing to shine a spotlight on Illawarra-based artists, creators and small businesses.
The Illawarra’s Friendly Neighbourhood Spidey, a fixture on the region’s cosplay scene who has swung into Comic Gong more than once, said he understood all too well why organisers were taking a break, noting the logistical and financial challenges of running a free festival of this scale.
“I couldn’t run my show without making it a ticketed event,” he said.
“Having interactive experiences such as 360 video and the stage shows etc, traffic management, stadium hire costs — I just try to keep the price as low as possible and hope to God people want to pay that to come in and enjoy it.
“I can’t imagine what a free event would entail and the cost to run it, even if run by council … good luck to them, and I can’t wait to see it back in 2027.”
Ms Hunt said the change would not only help protect the scale and quality that audiences have come to expect, but also allow the team to explore new opportunities.
“Planning for Comic Gong begins almost as soon as the previous event wraps up. A bit of breathing space will give us fresh eyes and help us continue to deliver the best possible experience for our community, while also growing other programs offered through our libraries,” she said.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said the festival had become much more than the sum of its parts.
“Comic Gong holds a special place in many hearts as an inclusive space where people connect and share their creativity and passions,” she said.
“It’s also a reminder of the important role libraries play as a ‘third place’ for people. They are community and cultural hubs where everyone belongs, and everyone benefits from the free spaces, programs and resources.”
For more information, visit Comic Gong.
