First Day of Spring 2025 Freebies: A Guide to Rita’s Italian Ice and Dairy Queen Promotions

Spring officially arrived on March 20, 2025, bringing with it not only warmer weather but also a variety of seasonal promotional offers from national chains. According to multiple news reports and deal blogs, two major brands—Rita’s Italian Ice and Dairy Queen—hosted significant giveaways to mark the occasion. These first-day-of-spring freebies have become an annual tradition for many consumers, offering a no-cost way to celebrate the changing seasons.

The sources indicate that these offers were primarily available on March 20, 2025, though some reports noted slight variations in dates. The promotions centered on frozen treats, specifically Italian ice and soft-serve ice cream, and were widely available at participating locations across the United States. While the primary focus of the coverage was on the immediate availability of these treats, some sources also mentioned additional ways consumers could engage with the brands for future rewards.

Rita’s Italian Ice Spring Giveaway

Rita’s Italian Ice has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the first day of spring with a free treat. According to the provided documentation, this was the 36th year the company hosted its "First Day of Spring Giveaway."

Offer Details and Availability The core offer from Rita’s was a free 6-ounce Italian ice in the flavor of the customer's choice. This promotion was valid on March 20, 2025, during store operating hours, which were reported as 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The offer was available at all participating locations, with reports indicating there are 575 locations across the United States. The company anticipated giving away approximately 1 million cups of water ice as part of this event.

One source noted a variation in the offer size, mentioning a free 7-ounce Italian ice in a limited-edition spring cup available on March 19. However, the majority of sources confirmed the primary event took place on March 20 with a 6-ounce serving. Consumers were advised that long lines were common at area stores and to exercise patience.

Social Media Contest In addition to the free treat, Rita’s offered an opportunity for customers to win a free year of Italian ice. To enter, customers were required to post a photo of their free treat on social media using the hashtag #RitasFirstDayOfSpring. Official rules for this contest were available via a link provided in the source material.

Dairy Queen Free Cone Day

Dairy Queen also participated in the first-day-of-spring festivities with its own giveaway, referred to in the sources as "Free Cone Day."

Offer Details and Restrictions The offer consisted of a free small vanilla soft-serve ice cream cone, complete with the chain's signature curl on top. This promotion was valid on March 20, 2025, all day, while supplies lasted. There was a limit of one cone per customer.

Participating Locations A critical distinction noted in the sources was that the offer was valid only at participating non-mall locations of Dairy Queen and DQ Grill & Chill locations. Consumers were directed to check a specific link to find a list of participating locations. The offer was explicitly noted as not valid on delivery or mobile orders. One source mentioned that customers could get their cone dipped for an additional $1 fee.

Other Spring Season Offers

While Rita's and Dairy Queen were the primary focus, the source material briefly mentioned other brands and potential seasonal trends.

Ben & Jerry’s One report noted that Ben & Jerry’s would offer a free cone day on April 9, running from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. However, the source also indicated that the closest Ben & Jerry’s locations were in Philadelphia, which may have limited accessibility for New Jersey residents.

General Spring Trends A broader overview of spring freebies suggested that coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin’ often offer free or BOGO drinks to mark the season. Additionally, home improvement stores and garden centers sometimes give away free seeds or plants. While specific offers for 2025 were not detailed in the provided chunks for these categories, the documentation suggests these are common seasonal promotional behaviors.

Considerations for Consumers

When seeking these types of freebies, consumers should be aware of several factors highlighted in the source material:

Timing: Most first-day-of-spring offers are strictly limited to March 20 (or occasionally March 19).
Location Restrictions: Not all locations of a chain participate in free giveaways. Specifically, mall locations for Dairy Queen were excluded from the free cone day offer.
Supplies: Offers are typically available "while supplies last." Due to the popularity of these events, visiting earlier in the day is often recommended.
Weather: The sources noted that the weather on the first day of spring in 2025 was predicted to be cold and potentially snowy, which did not deter consumers from seeking out frozen treats.

Conclusion

The first day of spring 2025 offered consumers in the United States the opportunity to enjoy free Italian ice from Rita’s and free soft-serve cones from Dairy Queen. These annual promotions serve as a seasonal tradition for the brands and a popular event for deal seekers. By understanding the specific terms—such as location restrictions for Dairy Queen and the social media contest for Rita's—consumers can successfully navigate these offers. While the primary focus was on these two major giveaways, the season often brings additional freebies from coffee shops and garden centers.