Graduation season represents a significant milestone for students across the United States, marking the transition from academic life to new professional and personal beginnings. As the Class of 2025 prepares to celebrate their achievements, numerous brands and retailers have announced special promotions, freebies, and exclusive deals designed to honor graduates. These offers range from complimentary food and beverages to substantial discounts on vehicles, software, and gift cards. Understanding the details of these promotions—including eligibility requirements, redemption methods, and time-sensitive deadlines—is essential for graduates looking to maximize their celebrations while managing their budgets.
The availability of graduation freebies typically spans various categories, including food and beverage, retail, automotive, and digital services. Many of these offers require specific proof of graduation status, such as wearing a cap and gown, presenting a student ID, or providing a diploma. Others are available to anyone celebrating a graduate, offering bonus gift cards or catering packages for graduation parties. This guide aggregates the verified information from multiple sources to provide a clear overview of the freebies and deals available to the Class of 2025.
Food and Beverage Freebies
Restaurants and food retailers are among the most active participants in graduation celebrations, offering a variety of free items and discounts to reward recent graduates.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme has a long-standing tradition of celebrating academic milestones. For the Class of 2025, the brand is offering a free Original Glazed 3-pack on "Grad Day," which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28. To qualify, high school and college graduates must visit a Krispy Kreme location wearing their cap and gown or other 2025 graduation swag. In addition to the free 3-pack, graduates will have the chance to win free Original Glazed dozens for a year. This promotion is specifically noted for the Class of 2025 and requires in-store redemption with the appropriate attire. Another source indicates that Krispy Kreme is offering a free box of a dozen donuts through the end of May for grads who visit the store in their cap and gown, though the specific details regarding the "Grad Day" event suggest the 3-pack is the primary offer for 2025.
Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies is celebrating graduates with a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) free offer on classic cookies. This deal is available to high school, college, and grad school graduates who visit an Insomnia Cookies location wearing their cap and gown. The promotion is valid through June 30. Some sources specify that the offer allows graduates to enjoy one free classic cookie when they buy a classic cookie, effectively providing a BOGO deal.
Buca di Beppo
Buca di Beppo is offering a free cannoli to every graduate in a party when a graduation celebration is booked at their restaurant. This offer is valid for dine-in only and is designed to enhance graduation parties. One source mentions that the free cannoli is provided "with service," implying that booking a reservation or meal is required to receive the complimentary dessert.
Bertucci’s
Bertucci’s has introduced a graduation package designed to feed between 10 and 20 people. When customers spend $100 or more, the package includes a tray of mini chocolate chip cannoli. To redeem this offer, customers must use the code GRAD2025. This promotion is geared towards larger graduation gatherings rather than individual freebies.
Perkins
Perkins is rewarding graduates who visit their locations in 2025 graduation gear (cap or gown) with a free Mammoth Muffin. This offer is available from now until June 25. Additionally, Perkins is running a contest where graduates can win a $100 gift card by sharing a photo of themselves in their cap at Perkins and tagging the restaurant on social media.
TGI Fridays
Through June 30, TGI Fridays is offering graduates a free appetizer or dessert when they order an entree. This promotion allows graduates to add a complimentary item to their meal as a celebratory treat.
Bonefish Grill
Bonefish Grill is promoting a gift card bonus rather than a direct food freebie. Customers who purchase a $50 gift card between June 23 and August 24 will receive a $10 bonus. This bonus card can be used for future visits, making it a valuable deal for those planning graduation parties or future meals.
Other Food Offers
Additional food-related deals include a $5 off promotion for Kolache Factory on online orders of $50 or more, valid through June 30 with the code GRAD25. Auntie Annie’s is offering a $5 bonus reward for every $25 spent on gift cards through June 15, provided the customer has a free rewards account. Benihana is also running gift card promotions through June 15, offering up to $60 in bonuses depending on the purchase amount. Applebee’s is providing a $10 bonus card with the purchase of $50 in gift cards through June 29.
Retail, Entertainment, and Travel Freebies
Beyond food, several brands offer free memberships, software trials, and entry to attractions as a way to celebrate graduation.
Museums and Attractions
In New York City, specific attractions are offering free admission to graduates. Edge and Vessel are offering free entry from May 1 through May 29 for those who show a cap, gown, and student ID at the Box Office. Guests accompanying the graduate will receive a 20% discount on admission. Top of the Rock is also offering free admission from May 1 through May 31, 2025, for visitors wearing a cap and gown or showing proof of graduation. Magnolia Bakery is providing a free classic cupcake until June 30 for graduates with a cap and gown or a 2025 diploma. Xing Fu Tang is offering a free drink of choice at their NYC locations for graduates in cap and gown.
Digital Services and Software
For graduates entering the workforce or continuing their education, several digital services are offering significant discounts. Amazon Prime Student offers a free 6-month trial, after which the subscription costs $7.49 per month (or 50% off the regular Prime membership). This includes free delivery, streaming video, and exclusive deals. Adobe Creative Cloud is offering up to 60% off the full suite for students and graduates. Canva is providing free access to customize and print graduation announcement templates; users simply need to sign up for a free account. TDF (The Drama League) is offering a free membership for 2025 high school graduates from NYC public or charter schools.
Automotive Offers
Several automotive brands have graduate purchase programs. Acura is offering a 2025 graduate offer of $500 in savings. Audi has a College Graduate Program that allows eligible recent graduates to lease or finance a new Audi without a credit history or co-signer. Toyota is offering a $500 rebate on all new, unlicensed Toyota models when financed or leased through a Toyota dealer and Toyota Financial Services. To qualify for the Toyota rebate, graduates must present proof of graduation within the previous two years from the purchase date, or proof of current enrollment in an eligible undergraduate or graduate program, along with proof of current employment.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
Most graduation freebies and deals come with specific eligibility criteria. Understanding these requirements is crucial to successfully redeeming offers.
Proof of Graduation
Many offers require physical proof of graduation status. The most common requirement is wearing a cap and gown when visiting the establishment. This applies to offers from Krispy Kreme, Insomnia Cookies, Perkins, Edge, Vessel, Top of the Rock, Magnolia Bakery, and Xing Fu Tang. Some offers allow for alternative proof, such as a 2025 diploma or student ID. For example, Top of the Rock accepts "proof of graduation" in lieu of attire, and Edge/Vessel require a student ID along with the cap and gown.
Purchase Requirements
Certain deals are contingent on making a purchase or booking a service. Buca di Beppo requires booking a graduation celebration to receive the free cannoli. Bertucci’s requires a $100 spend to receive the graduation package with cannoli. The gift card promotions from Bonefish Grill, Applebee’s, Auntie Annie’s, and Benihana require the purchase of gift cards to receive bonus cards or rewards. The Kolache Factory offer requires a $50 online order.
Time-Sensitive Deadlines
Graduates must act quickly to take advantage of these offers, as many have specific end dates. The Krispy Kreme "Grad Day" is on May 28, while the free dozen donuts offer runs through the end of May. The New York City attraction offers (Edge, Vessel, Top of the Rock) are valid through May 29 or May 31. The free cupcake from Magnolia Bakery and the BOGO cookie deal from Insomnia Cookies are valid through June 30. Perkins’ free muffin offer ends on June 25. The gift card promotions from Auntie Annie’s, Benihana, and Applebee’s conclude in mid-to-late June.
Geographic Restrictions
While many offers are national, some are specific to certain locations. The New York City-based offers (Edge, Vessel, Top of the Rock, Magnolia Bakery, Xing Fu Tang, and TDF membership) are explicitly limited to NYC locations or residents. Other offers, such as those from Krispy Kreme, Insomnia Cookies, and national restaurant chains, are generally available at participating locations across the United States. However, the source material notes that "offers, prices, and local participation may vary," indicating that graduates should verify participation with their local establishments.
Conclusion
The Class of 2025 has a wide array of freebies and deals to look forward to during their graduation celebrations. From free donuts and cookies to substantial discounts on vehicles and software, brands are offering meaningful ways to honor this academic achievement. To successfully redeem these offers, graduates should be prepared to present proof of their status, such as wearing a cap and gown or showing a diploma or student ID. Additionally, being aware of purchase requirements and strict expiration dates is essential. While many offers are available nationally, some are restricted to specific regions, such as New York City. By reviewing the terms and conditions of each promotion, graduates can ensure they receive the full benefits available to them.