Leap Day, occurring on February 29, 2024, represents a unique calendar event that happens only once every four years. This extra day, added to synchronize the Gregorian calendar with the Earth's approximately 365.25-day orbit around the sun, has become a promotional opportunity for numerous restaurants, retailers, and service providers. Various brands have capitalized on this occasion to offer special deals, discounts, and freebies to consumers. The following guide details the verified offers available for Leap Day 2024, focusing on food and beverage promotions, special considerations for Leap Day babies, and predictions for future Leap Year celebrations.
Understanding the Leap Day Phenomenon
The concept of Leap Day stems from the astronomical reality that Earth requires slightly more than 365 days to complete its revolution around the sun. Without the periodic addition of an extra day, seasonal markers would gradually shift, causing the calendar to drift out of alignment with actual weather patterns and solstice dates. While not an official federal holiday, Leap Day has been embraced by the commercial sector as a day for unique promotions.
The 2024 Leap Day falls on a Thursday, and participating businesses have rolled out a variety of incentives designed to attract customers. These promotions generally fall into specific categories: price reductions based on the number 29 or 2.29, buy-one-get-one deals, and exclusive freebies for individuals born on February 29.
Major Restaurant and Fast Food Chain Promotions
A significant portion of Leap Day 2024 deals centers on the food and beverage industry. Major chains have introduced offers ranging from deeply discounted menu items to completely free treats.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme is offering a prominent deal for all customers. On February 29, 2024, customers can purchase a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts for $2.29. This price point is valid when purchasing any regularly priced dozen. Additionally, Krispy Kreme acknowledges Leap Day babies specifically: individuals with a February 29 birthday can receive a free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts without any purchase requirement. Proof of birth date is necessary to redeem this specific offer.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s is participating in the festivities by offering a free Cinnabon Pull-Apart to customers on Leap Day. This offer is valid during breakfast hours at participating locations. The promotion is available to all customers visiting during the specified timeframe.
Chipotle
Chipotle has launched an "Extra Day, Extra Codes" promotion. Customers who engage with the brand's Instagram account to uncover 29 hidden keywords in content and captions can potentially win free guacamole for a year. This is a contest-based promotion requiring active participation in social media challenges. For Chipotle Rewards members, a more straightforward offer is available: free guacamole with any regularly priced entree using the promo code EXTRA24 on the Chipotle app or website.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ Rewards members can access a specific deal through the Dunkin’ mobile app. Members are eligible to receive a $2 Medium Cinnamon Vanilla Coffee. Furthermore, the brand is incentivizing app usage by offering 4X points on all app orders placed on Leap Day.
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is offering a food deal accessible via their mobile app. Customers can purchase 5 wings for $2.29. This aligns with the common pricing strategy of utilizing the $2.29 figure associated with the date 2/29.
Hooters
Hooters is targeting its loyalty program members with a specific offer. HootClub Rewards members who have the app downloaded and have favorited a Hooters of America restaurant location can get one appetizer for $2.29. Eligible appetizers include cheese sticks, fried pickles, chips and queso, lots-a-tots, cheese and pretzels, and twelve buffalo shrimp.
Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies is focusing on "Leaplings"—individuals born on Leap Day. These customers can redeem four free cookies and receive a birthday party in their local store. Valid identification is required to prove the birth date.
Other Food and Beverage Offers
Several other chains are participating in Leap Day promotions: * Bob Evans: Customers can receive 20 percent off their order by presenting a coupon. For online orders, the promo code 759002044 is valid. * Buffalo Wild Wings: The promotion allows customers to buy one order of boneless wings and get another order free. * Chuck E. Cheese: Children under 52 inches tall are eligible for a free All-Day Jump Pass at locations featuring a Trampoline Zone. * Burger King: While specific details are not fully confirmed in the source data, predictions suggest an in-app only freebie, such as a Whopper or Impossible Whopper with purchase. * Duck Donuts: A $2.29 deal on Cinnamon Sugar Donuts is predicted based on previous years. * BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: A $2.29 Pizookie (dine-in only) was offered in 2024, typically requiring a minimum purchase (e.g., $10).
Retail and Service Industry Deals
While food and beverage deals are the most prevalent, the Leap Day phenomenon extends to other sectors, including hospitality and retail services.
Travel and Hospitality
- Tom Quick Inn: Located in Pennsylvania, this inn is expected to offer a rate discount on February 29, 2028, based on historical patterns.
- Great Wolf Lodge: Reports indicate that $29 Great Wolf Lodge tickets may be available as a Leap Day promotion.
Entertainment and Recreation
- Wollman Rink: Located in New York City, this venue is predicted to offer a free day of skating on Leap Day 2028.
- STRAT Skyjump: In 2024, a promotion offered a free STRAT Skyjump (regularly $129.99) for the following Leap Day (2028).
Retail Services
- Staples: A prediction suggests that Staples may again offer 29,000 passport photos for free via their app on Leap Day 2028.
- Build-a-Bear Workshop: This retailer offers a specific deal for Leaplings. On February 29, Leap Day babies can pick up a Birthday Treat Bear at a significant discount (in 2024, the price was $4 compared to a regular price of $14). Identification is required.
Special Offers for Leap Day Babies (Leaplings)
A distinct category of Leap Day promotions is reserved exclusively for "Leaplings"—people born on February 29. Because this birth date occurs only once every four years, many brands offer special recognition.
- Identification Requirements: Almost all Leapling-specific offers require the presentation of a valid ID to prove the birth date.
- Insomnia Cookies: Free cookies and a birthday party.
- Krispy Kreme: Free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts (no purchase necessary).
- Build-a-Bear Workshop: Discounted Birthday Treat Bear.
- Cowboy Chicken: Predictions suggest a free wood-fire rotisserie chicken for Leaplings with ID.
- Home Run Inn: This pizza chain has historically given away pizzas to the first 29 Leap Year babies (18 years or older) who present a valid ID.
- BurgerFi: Expected to offer a dine-in-only discount to Leap Day babies.
Looking Ahead: Predictions for Leap Day 2028
The next Leap Year will occur in 2028, with Leap Day falling on Wednesday, February 29. Based on the recurring nature of these promotions, consumers can anticipate similar offers in the future. The source data highlights several "hope to see" predictions for 2028, which largely mirror the 2024 offers.
- 7-Eleven: Likely to repeat the $2.29 bone-in wing deal.
- Chipotle: Expected to offer Chipotle Rewards members a promo code for free guac with an entree.
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: Likely to repeat the $2.29 Pizookie offer.
- Bob Evans: Coupon-based discounts are expected to continue.
- Burger King: In-app freebies are predicted to remain a staple of their strategy.
It is noted that offers and local participation may vary by location. Consumers interested in these future deals should monitor official brand channels and apps closer to the date.
Conclusion
Leap Day 2024 provided a diverse array of promotional opportunities for U.S. consumers. The most common strategy involved pricing items at $2.29 to reflect the date 2/29, while other brands utilized buy-one-get-one structures or social media contests. A significant portion of the marketing focus was directed toward "Leaplings," rewarding them with free products and discounts to acknowledge their unique birth date. As Leap Day is a recurring calendar event, consumers can expect similar promotional patterns to emerge on February 29, 2028. To maximize savings, consumers should ensure they have downloaded relevant brand apps and joined rewards programs, as many of the best deals were exclusive to digital channels.