Freebies are everywhere. Restaurants will hurl free food at you for your birthday. Retailers will unload free samples on you just for your loyalty. Yet there are myriad everyday freebies available to consumers even when it isn’t their birthday. The purpose is the same: to get people to try goods and services while building customer and brand loyalty. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but here are the dozens of items you get for free either way.
Movies
Even with streaming biting into theaters’ bottom line, there’s still a way to get a movie screening for free. AdvanceScreenings.com gets you into advance screenings of films yet to be released, a privilege once reserved for alt-weekly newspaper readers and radio contest winners. All you have to do is check the site for free screenings in your area and sign up.
Chocolate
There’s some disagreement about when National Chocolate Day occurs because there are at least four of them throughout the year (July 7, Sept. 13, Oct. 28, and Dec. 28), which is really confusing but presents a lot of opportunity for free chocolate. However, joining Godiva’s rewards club gets you a free piece of chocolate each month.
Kids’ Meals
So many restaurant chains offer free kids’ meals that parents should never have to pay for them. At Denny’s, for example, you can get two free kids’ meals with the order of an adult entree, dine-in only. The only drawback is that many of these offers are for a limited time, and not all locations participate, so ask before you order.
National Parks
There are five days in 2019 when you can get into national parks for free: Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in January; the opening day of National Parks Week in April; the Park Service’s birthday on Aug. 25.; National Public Lands Day in late September; and Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Museums
The Smithsonian Institute provides free admission to participating museums on Sept. 21, but major museums in cities from coast to coast also have free-admission days. The San Antonio Museum of Art, for example, waives admission from 10 a.m. until noon on Sundays and from 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays.
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Doughnuts
The first Friday in June is National Doughnut Day, and big doughnut chains including Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme, and Tim Horton’s all play along by offering customers a free doughnut.
Related: Dunkin’ vs. Krispy Kreme: Who Has the Better Tasting Doughnuts?
Beer
This one is easy: Take a brewery tour and be 21 or older. The Samuel Adams brewery in Boston offers beer at the end of its tour, as does the Anheuser-Busch InBev brewery in St. Louis, the D.L. Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, the Coors brewery in Golden, Colorado … actually, many of the more than 6,000 breweries in the U.S. make beer samples a staple of their tour.
Iced Tea
Things start heating up in June, weather-wise, so keep your cool by celebrating National Iced Tea Day on June 10. In past years, McAlister’s Deli has touted free iced tea giveaways to observe the day. Or join the Summer Steeper Club at David’s Teas and get 2 ounces of loose-leaf tea free as a perk to make iced tea at home.
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Chicken
Each year, Chick-Fil-A’s “Cow Appreciation Day” rewards customers who wear any sort of cow apparel by giving them a free entree. You can wear a mask, you can wear a shirt with cows on it, or you can dress in a full cow costume. This year, on July 9, any of the above gets you free food.
Slurpees
July 11 is 7-Eleven’s birthday (they were founded back in 1927), and every year they mark the event by giving away free Slurpees on that day. Check their Facebook page for update’s on the annual freebie fest.
Cheeseburgers
National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18 dates back to the early 1920s, but places like Champp’s Kitchen + Bar, Habit Burger, Johnny Rockets, and Rally’s have in years past celebrated by giving away free cheeseburgers on that day. You’ll need a pass code or a spot on their email list, but it’ll be free; check your favorite burger joint’s website or social media for potential deals.
Coffee
International Coffee Day falls on Oct. 1 in 2019. In years past major chains including Wawa, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Cinnabon, and Tim Horton’s all have given away free coffee. Your best bet for freebies is to check your favorite coffee purveyor’s social media.
Shipping
If you’re thinking of buying an item online, but don’t want to pay the shipping cost, there’s no need to. Sites like FreeShipping.com make it clear where free shipping and returns can be found.
Concert Tickets
If you have spare time to contribute to a group like HeadCount, you can see big-name shows without paying a dime. Many local theaters, arts venues, and symphonies, such as the Cleveland Orchestra, also regularly seek volunteer ushers.
Snack Boxes
There is a small army of entrepreneurs out there who would love it if you never went to a convenience store again. This is why Graze and Try The World send their first mixed box of snacks for free.
KIND Bars
True to their name, KIND Bars want you to be good to yourself and to others. If you spot someone engaging in a random act of kindness, you can send them a free coupon for a KIND snack bar.
Fishing
Yes, you typically need a fishing license if you want to go fishing. However, many states offer a bunch of dates for fishing without a license. TakeMeFishing.org lists all of them.
Magazine Subscriptions
Proving that data is the new currency, sites like Mercury Magazines and Freebizmag.com will pay for your subscriptions if you give them a little info about the company you work for and the industry you work in. That demographic data is worth more to them than wholesale subscriptions will ever be. Most of the magazines are geared toward businesses and trades, but you can find a few consumer titles, such as Boating World or Tennis magazine. Offers come and go quickly.
Beauty Products
Loyalty programs at Ulta Beauty and Sephora will give you free gifts on your birthday. But other companies, like Walmart, will send freebies a lot more often (though you’ll have to cover shipping).
E-Books
Most people with an e-reader or tablet have likely found the public-domain titles at Gutenberg.org already, but Amazon Prime members who aren’t taking advantage of free access to e-books are wasting a big portion of their service. Also, just about any public library should be able to lend you e-books.
Shaving Products
Thinking of joining a club like Harry’s, but don’t know about the quality of their products? Well, Harry’s will send you a razor and shave gel to try for $8. If you don’t like it or don’t want to continue, they’ll refund the cost completely. The Unilever-owned Dollar Shave Club, meanwhile, offers a similar money-back guarantee.
Gadgets
Need kitchenware, musical instruments, or even tech kits that you may not need more than once? Communities around the country are adopting the “Library of Things” approach and stocking libraries with 3-D printers, wetsuits, sewing kits, and guitars with the knowledge that patrons may eventually need certain items, but they don’t need to own them.
Comic Books
Started by a California comic book shop owner in 2002, Free Comic Book Day is filled with events, games, cosplay, and, of course, free comic books. Just go to a local comic shop on the first Saturday in May and claim your free issue.
Eye Care
If you’re over age 65 and lack private insurance, Eye Care America offers free eye exams and a year of care for any diagnosed eye disease.
Photo Prints
With prints getting increasingly rare and home printing technology meeting most people’s needs, Shutterfly is willing to give away 101 prints, plus a few other goodies, just for creating a new account with them.
Credit Reports
Yes, you are supposed to have access to a free copy of your credit report once each year. That said, there are a lot of sites out there that say they’ll give you one, but are just looking to take more of your money. AnnualCreditReport.com is one legitimate source.
Random Samples
Sites like DealNews distribute free samples that manufacturers once used to send either through the mail or with newspaper deliveries. Toothpaste, granola bars, whitening strips, baking supplies, and other items need a test audience. You could be it.
Classes
Yes, a community center or library will often offer free or inexpensive classes, but so will retailers like Sur La Table, JoAnn Fabric, REI or Home Depot.
Passport Photos
No, you don’t have to go down to a post office or some weird shop by a courthouse to get a passport photo taken. If you take a photo with your own smartphone or digital camera and upload it to ePassportPhoto, they’ll size it for you and make a copy you can print at home.
Sales Tax
If you live in Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, or Oregon, skip ahead: You already know your state has no sales tax. However, a handful of other states hold sales tax holidays that ostensibly give buyers a break, especially before the start of the school year.
Firewood
There are lots of people who’ll haul your pre-cut cords of firewood for a sum of money, but if you’ll chop it yourself or you aren’t particular about the condition of that wood, Craigslist teems with free firewood in many areas. Our advice: Always give it a look a few days after a windstorm. And be sure to store it outside to avoid bringing any unwanted wildlife indoors.
Tax Preparation
Those with income below $66,000 have the option to file their taxes for free with the Internal Revenue Service’s Free File software. The program’s website can also help you find free state filing options.
Veterans Day
Veterans Day on Nov. 11 is a time to honor service members past and present. Last year, restaurant chains including Longhorn Steakhouse, Golden Corral, and Applebee’s, were among those offering free meals to veterans, and this year should be no different. Service members may also find Veterans Day perks at ski resorts and amusement parks.
Baby Goods
Walmart will send along a free box of sample baby products to consumers who apply. Their Sam’s Club stores often do the same, depending on availability and time of year. Similac and Honest also will send free samples if you just ask.
Prescription Medication
Publix and Meijer supermarkets offer some prescription medications for free, but many retailers with pharmacy departments offer assistance programs.
Tools
Why buy tools for a job you’ll do once or twice when AutoZone, certain NAPA locations, Advance Auto Parts, and O’Reilly Auto Parts will lend them to you for free? Note: Although free to borrow, you may have to pay a refundable deposit when you pick up the tools.
Pretzels
Pennsylvania’s pretzel-minded politicians dreamed up National Pretzel Day in late April more than 30 years ago and made it official in the early 2000s, but it’s basically an excuse for shoppers to line up at Auntie Anne’s, Wetzels, or and other pretzel outlets.
Ice Cream
Can you people agree on one day? National Ice Cream Day falls on the third Sunday in July (as proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984), but Haagen Dazs Free Cone Day was May 14, Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day was in April, and Dairy Queen’s was March 20. Seriously, just pick one date for all of this.
Italian Ice
It was snowing in many places in the U.S. on the first day of spring this year, but that didn’t stop Rita’s Italian Ice from giving away free servings, as it does at the beginning of every spring.
Pancakes
The date changes yearly (it was March 12 this year), but IHOP has given away stacks of free pancakes as part of its National Pancake Day celebration for years now. All it asks in return is that customers consider giving to children’s charities on that day.
Pizza
Your best bet for free pizza is Feb. 9, National Pizza Day, when Pilot Flying J, Round Table, and even Baskin Robbins give away samples of their various takes on pizza.
Halloween
On Halloween, many businesses give out all sorts of freebies beyond candy. Last year, there were plenty of offers for free custard, cookies, doughnuts, and kids meals. This year, your best best is to check the social media of your favorite stores to get the spookiest deals.
Pie
National Pie Day on Jan. 23 (not to be confused with National Pi Day on March 14) can mean free slices of pie to consumers, but just about no national chains take part. Your best bet is to look to local businesses.
Cleaning Products
When all of social media is a focus group, companies that produce cleaning products can basically give freebies to anyone. One site worth checking out, Hunt4Freebies, is stocked with welcome boxes of household products.
Mother’s Day
Keep these in mind for next year. The National Restaurant Association notes that 92 million Americans have a meal out on Mother’s Day. Among our favorite past deals: free doughnuts at LaMar’s Donuts, free tickets at Medieval Times, free strawberry pie at Shoney’s, and free fro-yo at TCBY.
