World Book Day is one of the biggest costume events in the UK calendar, celebrated every year on the first Thursday in March. For retailers and online sellers, it represents a major sales opportunity — with millions of children (and adults!) dressing up as their favourite book characters.
When Is World Book Day 2026?
World Book Day 2026 falls on Thursday 5th March. As part of the National Year of Reading, this year's celebrations are expected to be bigger than ever. Smart retailers start stocking up 4-6 weeks in advance to capture early shoppers.
Top-Selling World Book Day Costumes
Based on our wholesale data from previous years, these are the categories that consistently sell well:
1. Classic Children's Book Characters
Characters from beloved children's books remain the most popular choices. Think Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Willy Wonka, Matilda, and Harry Potter. These timeless characters appeal to a wide age range and are easy for parents to recognise.
2. Superhero & Comic Book Characters
Superhero costumes from comic books and graphic novels are increasingly popular for World Book Day. Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, and characters from the Marvel and DC universes are perennial best-sellers.
3. Animal & Nature Characters
Animal costumes based on characters from books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Gruffalo, and Fantastic Mr Fox are hugely popular for younger children. These tend to be comfortable all-day wear, which parents appreciate.
4. Fairy Tale Characters
Traditional fairy tale costumes — princesses, pirates, witches, wizards — never go out of style. They work for multiple book characters, making them versatile purchases for parents.
How to Stock Up for World Book Day
As a wholesale supplier, we recommend the following approach for retailers:
- Order early — Place your wholesale order 4-6 weeks before World Book Day to ensure availability
- Stock a range of sizes — From toddler through to adult sizes for teaching staff
- Include accessories — Wigs, hats, wands, and props often sell alongside costumes
- Consider last-minute shoppers — Keep popular sizes in stock right up to the day
Why Buy Wholesale?
Buying World Book Day costumes at wholesale prices means better margins for your business. At Wicked Nights, we offer trade prices on hundreds of character costumes with same-day dispatch on orders placed before 2pm. Our minimum order is just £25, so you can test new lines without a huge commitment.
Browse Our World Book Day Collection
Ready to stock up? Browse our full range of wholesale World Book Day costumes and character outfits, available at competitive trade prices with fast UK delivery. You can also explore our superhero costumes and accessories to complement your World Book Day stock.
New to wholesale buying? Apply for a trade account today — it only takes a few minutes and you'll get instant access to trade prices on over 10,000 products.