Never Miss Free Ice Cream Again: Complete Calendar of Annual Free Stuff Days
Some people say that there is no such thing as a free lunch — but there are several companies that are working hard to offer you all kinds of treats for $0. Grab your calendar and mark these days to pick up awesome freebies ranging from brownies to comics.
(Click on the image for a larger view)
Embed this infographic:
January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Free entrance to any national park.
January 19: National Popcorn Day
Every January 19th on National Popcorn Day several movie theaters across the country offer a bag of free popcorn.
February 14: Valentine's Day
- Qdoba offers a buy one get one free burrito when you "share a kiss with anyone or anything."
- #ShredYourEx at Hooters by shredding an image of your ex online or in-store and get 10 free boneless wings with the purchase of 10 wings.
- Peets Coffee tea offers a BOGO beverage deal from February 11 until the 14.
February 29: Leap Day
- Bring your ID to Buca di Beppo and prove that your birthday falls on February 29 and get a free order of spaghetti and meatballs.
- Del Frisco's Grille offers a free order of cheesesteak eggroll to customers born on February 29.
- Hard Rock Cafe offers everyone with a February 29th birthday a free entreé from a limited menu.
- Houlihan's offers the opportunity to get a free entree to those born on February 29, and up to 28 more free entrees for returning visits within a one-month period! Proof of birthday required.
March 17: St. Patrick's Day
Sonic offers $0.50 corn dogs since it's also National Corn Dog Day — no coupon needed, but limited to five per order.
March 20: First day of spring
- Rita's offers a free limited edition cup of Italian ice.
- DQ offers a free cone of vanilla soft-serve while supplies last.
April 10: Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day
Since 1979, Ben & Jerry's stores offer a free ice cream scoop every year on April 10 from noon to 8 p.m.
April 15: Tax Day
As a reward for making your federal tax deadline of April 15th (or whichever date Tax Day falls on), several business offer you freebies:
- Free curly fries from Arby's.
- Free chips and queso or salsa at California Tortilla with the purchase of a Cal Tort.
- Two free cinnabon bites at Cinnabon from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Free sausage biscuit at Hardee's.
- Free hot dog on a stick (turkey or veggie) from Hot Dog on a Stick.
- Free cookies & cream cookie from Great American Cookies.
- Free water-based massage session from Hydromassage including locations at participating Planet Fitness from April 14 until 21.
April 20-22: Earth Day
On Earth Day, you can:
- Score a free organic milkshake at Evos stores.
- Enter a National Park for free on the first day of National Park Week, which is always held around Earth Day.
- Recycle plastic bags in exchange of a free reusable one at Wegmans.
- Visit IKEA on the 21st and 22nd to receive a free gift (depending on the day, you could score a laundry bag, multifunction hanger, or a chocolate bar).
April 26: National Pretzel Day
Every April 26th, Philly Pretzel Factory, Pretzelmaker, Snyder's of Hanover, and Wetzel's Pretzels give out free pretzels.
First Saturday in May: Free Comic Day
Held the first Saturday in May, Free Comic Day is the day in which participating comic book stores across North America give away free comic books. Most stores give at least one free comic book, but some are more generous than others. Check with your local retailer for their Free Comic Day rules.
Second Sunday in May: Mother's Day
Moms work very hard all year round, so they deserve to get free stuff on their special day.
- Free flowers, T-shirt, or coupon for a free entreé on return visit to Abuelo's restaurants (depending on location).
- BOGO offer at Arooga's.
- Free dessert with the purchase of two entrees at Denny's.
- Free box of chocolates for dine-in moms at First Watch Cafe.
- Moms who eat at Fogo de Chao will receive a dining card for a free meal on their next visit.
- Free entreé at Hooters.
- Free slice of strawberry pie for mom with buffet or entree at Shoney's.
- Free order of 15-layer lasagna for moms on their next visit to Spaghetti Warehouse.
- Free 6 oz. cup of frozen yogurt at TCBY.
- Free meal for dine-in moms at The Pasta House.
- Free chili dog, small fries, and small drink at participating Wienerschnitzel locations.
May 18: International Museum Day
In celebration of International Museum Day, many museums around the country, such as the Harvard Art Museums and Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, offer free admission to raise awareness of the roles museum play in cultural exchange and developing mutual understanding.
Sometime in May: Häagen-Dazs Free Cone Day
Not to be outdone by Ben & Jerry's, Häagen-Dazs offers a free cone from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at several locations in the U.S. This day happens usually within the first three weeks of May, so be on the lookout for the official company announcement.
First Friday in June: National Doughnut Day
Celebrate the first Friday of June with a free doughnut at Krispy Kreme, LaMar's Donuts, and Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop. Places requiring the purchase of a beverage for a free doughnut are Dunkin' Donuts and Cumberland Farms. Also, check your local donut shop because several will honor this day.
Sometime in June: Free Fishing Day
Many states offer days when you can fish without paying for a permit around the year, but most states offer free fishing days on the first or second second weekend of June, as this holiday kicks off National Fishing and Boating Week!
June 10: National Iced Tea Day
Enjoy a cold iced tea on June 10 to cool down during a hot summer. Two retailers that consistently participate in this day are 7-Eleven (free Snapple tea) and Starbucks.
Third Friday in June: National Flip Flop Day
Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers a free 16 oz. smoothie when you wear flip flops from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on National Flip Flop Day.
June: Father's Day
Every third Sunday of June, dads can get freebies at:
- Buy any 10 wings, get 10 free boneless wings for dads at Hooters.
- Free original recipe spaghetti or lasagna for dads at Spaghetti Warehouse.
- Free 6 oz. cup of frozen yogurt at TCBY.
July 10: Cow Appreciation Day
Dress up as a cow and head to a Chic-fil-A restaurant between when they open and 7.p.m. for a free entree.
July 11: 7-Eleven Day
Every July 11, 7-Eleven offers free small Slurpee drinks from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. No restrictions apply and no purchase necessary. The freebies sometimes extend beyond Slurpees, with weeklong giveaways, including ice cream bars, Twinkies, and Big Gulps.
August 6: National Root Beer Float Day
Score a free small root beer float with any purchase at A&W between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
August 11: Free Bowling Day
Download the Bowlmojis sticker pack and receive one free game of bowling for that day at participating AMF, Bowlmor Lanes, Bowlero, and Brunswick Zone bowling locations.
September 19: Talk Like a Pirate Day
Go the Krispy Kreme and get your free donut by talking pirate to the cashier. You can also get a free deep fried Twinkie from Long John Silver's.
September 21: Free Queso Day
Head over to Moe's Southwest Grill for a free bowl of queso and warm chips.
September 22: National Public Lands Day
Free entrance to any national park.
September 29: National Coffee Day
Every September 29, coffee retailers offer a free small coffee or BOGO deals. Some companies that participate are Dunkin' Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Peet's Coffee, and Starbucks. Check their websites for rules because these retailers may require you to present a coupon, download an app, or make a small purchase to redeem your free coffee. (See also: 20 Fast Food Apps That Help You Score Free Food)
October 31: Halloween
On Halloween, dressing up or throwing a costume on your little one may score you more than just candy. Restaurants such as Chipotle, Krispy Kreme, IHOP, Olive Garden, and Longhorn Steakhouse have provided freebies on this annual celebration.
November 11: Veterans Day
During this holiday in November, veterans and active duty military can get free coffee, appetizers, meals, or desserts at:
- Applebee's
- Bar Louie
- BJ's
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Chili's
- Claim Jumper
- Denny's
- Einstein Bros Bagels
- Famous Dave's
- Friendly's
- Golden Corral
- IHOP
- Krispy Kreme
- LongHorn
- Noah's Bagels
- Olive Garden
- On The Border
- Outback
- Perkins
- Red Lobster
- Red Robin
- Ruby Tuesday
- Starbucks
- Sizzler
- Texas Roadhouse
- TGI Fridays
And many more! NOTE: Most locations will ask for valid ID. (See also: Big List of Military Discounts)
Saturday after Thanksgiving: Small Business Saturday
"Shop small" at your local independent retailers and restaurants. Not only will you support your local economy, but also you'll likely score some freebies from participating vendors.
Sometime in December: Free Shipping Day
Christmas shopping procrastinators rejoice! On Free Shipping Day, participating online retailers provide you free shipping for your purchase. This day happens sometime in mid-December, so stay tuned.
December 4: National Cookie Day
Check out stores like Great American Cookies, Mrs. Fields Cookies, and Whole Foods to get your free cookie!
December 5: Repeal Day
In honor of Repeal Day, local bars will have deals aplenty to celebrate all the great things about legalized drinking.
Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.
Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Who doesn't like free stuff? Better yet, who doesn't like free food?! You're the best! Thanks for listing them up! Woohoo! Can't wait to get free slurpee this month!
Glad to hear, Jeremy! The best way to enjoy 7-11 Day is to go with a whole bunch of friends. It is a lot of fun just go into the store and get as much slurps as you want. Have fun!
Thanks for sharing this list. That is so kind of you!
You're very welcome Pam, thank you for reading!