The first day of summer, often coinciding with the summer solstice, marks a significant seasonal transition and a popular occasion for brands to engage consumers through promotional offers. In 2025, the first day of summer fell on June 20th, and several national and regional brands offered freebies, discounts, and limited-time menu items to celebrate. These promotions typically span food and beverage categories, with some extending to entertainment and recreational activities. This article details the verified freebies and deals available on the first day of summer in 2025, focusing on eligibility requirements, redemption methods, and participating locations.
Food and Beverage Promotions
Numerous restaurant chains and food retailers utilized the first day of summer in 2025 to launch customer appreciation initiatives. These offers ranged from free ice cream and donuts to discounted smoothies and specialty menu items.
Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
Ice cream was a central feature of the 2025 summer kickoff. Several major retailers and quick-service restaurants provided opportunities for consumers to obtain free or heavily discounted frozen desserts.
- Kroger: On June 20, 2025, starting at 12:00 PM, Kroger released 92,000 digital coupons redeemable for a free pint of ice cream. The coupon was valid for Kroger Brand ice creams, including flavors from the "Summer in a Pint" collection. This promotion was explicitly restricted to shoppers in specific states; residents of California, Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Nevada were excluded from the offer.
- Friendly's: While specific details for the 2025 event are not fully detailed in the source material, industry expectations suggested that Friendly's typically offers free ice cream to celebrate the first day of summer.
- Baskin-Robbins: During previous first day of summer events, Baskin-Robbins has offered a "Parent Pass" allowing parents to purchase a scoop of ice cream for $1.99. This offer generally requires participation in the brand's rewards membership program.
- Dairy Queen: Dairy Queen featured the OREO Dirt Pie Blizzard Treat as a digital exclusive for a limited time in 2025. The treat consisted of OREO cookie pieces, gummy worms, and fudgy crumble blended with vanilla soft serve. It was available exclusively through digital ordering on the DQ App or DQ.com for purchase, not as a free item.
- Planet Smoothie: Participating Planet Smoothie locations offered a free 20oz Lunar Lemonade smoothie on June 21, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This offer was strictly limited to Planet VIP members who had enrolled by June 19, 2025. Locations in Raleigh and Wake Forest were noted as participating.
- Jamba: Jamba offered a small Mango-a-Go-Go or Strawberry Whirl Smoothie (16-oz.) for $1 on June 21, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The deal was valid for in-shop orders only and excluded online orders, drive-thru, and delivery. Limit one per person.
- Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar: Pulp offered all 24oz smoothies for $5 on June 21, 2025. This discount could not be combined with other offers.
Restaurant and Fast Food Offers
Several burger chains and quick-service restaurants provided free food items or buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deals.
- Wayback Burgers: On June 20, 2025, which coincided with Vanilla Milkshake Day, Wayback Burgers gave away free 12oz Vanilla Shakes. This offer required no purchase and was valid in-restaurant only, limited to one per person.
- White Castle: Through June 22, 2025, White Castle offered a BOGO deal on small shakes. Customers could buy one small shake after 8:00 PM and get one free. The offer was valid with a coupon in-restaurant or via a promo code online.
- Krispy Kreme: Krispy Kreme offered a $2 Original Glazed dozen with the purchase of any dozen donuts. The deal was available in-store and online for pickup and delivery using the promo code SUMMER.
- Cinnabon: From June 20 through June 22, 2025, participating Cinnabon locations offered a free Zuru Mini Brands Foodie pack with the purchase of a 4-count BonBite.
- Edible Arrangements: According to an unverified report cited in the source material, certain Edible Arrangements locations offered a free smoothie between June 16 and June 21, 2025, to celebrate National Smoothie Day.
Convenience Store Promotions
- Frazil: Every Friday in June 2025, participating convenience stores offered a free small Frazil slushie.
Non-Food Summer Freebies and Activities
Beyond food and beverage, the first day of summer and the surrounding period offer opportunities for free entertainment and recreational activities.
Entertainment and Movies
- Free Movies: Several movie chains offer family-friendly films at little or no cost during the summer. Showcase Cinemas' "Bookworm Wednesday" program and Phoenix Theatres' "Free Summer Movie Series" were noted. Regal and AMC offer low-cost movies for a few dollars.
- Free Bowling: The "Kids Bowl Free" program provides opportunities for children to bowl during the summer months.
Outdoor and Cultural Activities
- Free Fishing: Several states designate specific days or weekends as free fishing days where a license is not required. Consumers can find specific dates for their state at takemefishing.org.
- Free National Park Admission: The National Park Service (NPS) waives entrance fees on specific dates. In the provided context, fee-free days included August 4 (Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act) and September 23 (National Public Lands Day).
- Free Museum Admission: Bank of America debit or credit cardholders can visit participating museums for free during the first full weekend of every month. Non-cardholders may access free museum passes through local libraries or state and city government websites.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
Understanding the specific requirements for redeeming summer freebies is essential for consumers. The offers detailed in the source material highlight several common restrictions and prerequisites.
Membership and App Requirements
Many restaurant deals require enrollment in a loyalty program or the use of a branded mobile app. * Planet Smoothie: The free Lunar Lemonade smoothie was exclusively for Planet VIP members who registered by a specific cutoff date (June 19). * Baskin-Robbins: The anticipated $1.99 scoop offer typically requires a rewards membership. * Dairy Queen: The OREO Dirt Pie Blizzard was a digital exclusive, requiring ordering through the DQ App or DQ.com. * White Castle: The BOGO shake offer required a coupon in-restaurant or a promo code online.
Geographic Restrictions
- Kroger: The free pint of ice cream digital coupon explicitly excluded residents of California, Colorado, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Nevada.
Purchase Requirements
- Cinnabon: Required the purchase of a 4-count BonBite to receive the free Zuru Mini Brands pack.
- Krispy Kreme: Required the purchase of any dozen donuts to get the $2 Original Glazed dozen.
- Wayback Burgers: The free vanilla milkshake required no purchase.
- White Castle: The BOGO offer required the purchase of one small shake.
Time and Location Constraints
- Jamba: The $1 smoothie offer was valid only from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and limited to in-shop orders.
- Planet Smoothie: The free smoothie was available from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
- Frazil: The free slushie was available every Friday in June.
- Participating Locations: Almost all restaurant offers are valid only at participating locations. Consumers are advised to call ahead to confirm participation.
Future Expectations for First Day of Summer Deals
Based on historical patterns and industry trends, the first day of summer in 2026 is expected to generate similar promotional activity. The next first day of summer falls on June 21, 2026. Consumers can anticipate deals such as free ice cream at Friendly's, free donuts at Shipley, and potential parent-focused discounts at Baskin-Robbins. As in previous years, the majority of these deals will likely require a rewards membership or app download. Consumers interested in these future offers should monitor brand websites and sign up for loyalty programs in advance of June 21, 2026.
Conclusion
The first day of summer in 2025 offered a diverse array of freebies and deals, primarily concentrated in the food and beverage sector. Brands utilized the occasion to promote new menu items, drive app downloads, and reward loyalty program members. Key offers included free ice cream at Kroger (with geographic restrictions), free shakes at Wayback Burgers, and discounted smoothies at Jamba and Pulp. Non-food freebies included opportunities for free museum admission, national park visits, and movie screenings. Consumers seeking to maximize value during the summer season should prioritize joining brand loyalty programs and monitoring official brand channels for announcements regarding future summer solstice promotions.