Solar Eclipse 2024: Comprehensive Guide to Freebies, Deals, and Promotional Offers

The Total Solar Eclipse of 2024, officially designated as the Great North American Solar Eclipse, occurred on April 8, 2024. This celestial event traversed a path from Mexico through the United States and into Canada, beginning at 1:07 a.m. ET in Mexico and concluding around 3:30 p.m. ET in Maine. Consumers within the path of totality experienced a complete obscuration of the sun, while those outside this path observed a partial eclipse. In conjunction with this event, numerous retailers, food and beverage brands, and service providers launched limited-time promotional offers, freebies, and educational initiatives.

This article details the specific freebies and deals available during the eclipse period, categorized by type and provider. It focuses on verified offers available to U.S. consumers, including free solar viewing glasses, complimentary food items, and themed merchandise.

Solar Viewing Safety and Free Glasses

Safe viewing of a solar eclipse requires ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses to protect the eyes from harmful solar radiation. Several brands and retailers offered free or discounted glasses to ensure public safety during the event.

Warby Parker Warby Parker provided free solar eclipse glasses at their physical retail locations from April 1 through April 8, 2024. The offer allowed customers to obtain up to two pairs per family while supplies lasted. If inventory was depleted, Warby Parker locations offered an alternative eclipse pinhole projector to facilitate safe viewing.

7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes 7-Eleven, along with its affiliated Speedway and Stripes convenience stores, offered free solar eclipse glasses to 7NOW Gold Pass members. This benefit was available with any order placed from now until April 8. Additionally, members could purchase a whole pizza for $3 on April 8.

Smoothie King During the eclipse event, Smoothie King offered a special "Eclipse Berry Blitz" smoothie. Customers who purchased this item were given free eclipse glasses with their transaction.

Twin Peaks Twin Peaks restaurants distributed free eclipse glasses on April 8. The brand also promoted a variety of themed beverages for the occasion, including a Twin Peaks Margarita on "The Rock," Blue Moon Belgian White, Corazón Tequila Sunrise, Lunazul Silver Shot, and a Starbust Shot.

Cracker Barrel Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores made eclipse glasses available for sale at a price of $2.49.

Walmart Walmart was identified as a retailer offering solar eclipse glasses in family packs, providing a purchasing option for consumers.

Food and Beverage Promotions

The eclipse generated a significant volume of food and beverage promotions, ranging from free dessert items to buy-one-get-one (BOGO) entree deals and themed menu items.

Desserts and Snacks

Wendy’s Wendy’s offered a free Frosty with any purchase made via the Wendy’s app. This promotion ran from April 8 through April 14, 2024. The offer was valid for both the Classic Chocolate Frosty and the limited-edition Orange Dreamsicle Frosty, which temporarily replaced the vanilla flavor. In conjunction with this, Wendy’s waived delivery fees on orders placed through the app or online for the week following the eclipse.

Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme introduced a "Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut" for the occasion. This product was described as a glazed donut dipped in black chocolate icing, sprinkled with silver sprinkles, piped with Oreo buttercream, and topped with an Oreo cookie.

Dunkin’ Dunkin’ also offered a special "Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut" to coincide with the event.

Insomnia Cookies Insomnia Cookies provided a promotional offer of one free classic cookie with a purchase of $5 or more, valid both in-store and online.

SunChips SunChips hosted a giveaway at SunChipsSolarEclipse.com on April 8 at 2:33 p.m. ET / 11:33 a.m. PT. Consumers could visit the site to score a free bag of SunChips while supplies lasted.

Susie Cakes Susie Cakes offered limited-time cupcakes specifically designed for the Solar Eclipse, suitable for parties hosted or attended on April 8.

Entrees and Meal Deals

Burger King Burger King offered a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) deal on Whoppers for Royal Perks members. To access the deal, members were required to text the word "ECLIPSE" to 251251 on April 8. The resulting offer could be redeemed via the Burger King app or website from April 8 through April 15.

Chili’s Chili’s provided a free appetizer with the purchase of any adult entrée. This offer was valid for dine-in or to-go orders placed on April 7 or April 8, 2024, using the promo code "APPCLIPSE."

Cracker Barrel Cracker Barrel offered a free side of Eclipse Pancakes with the purchase of any entrée for dine-in customers on April 8.

Raising Cane’s Raising Cane’s customers received free Texas Toast with every combo purchased during the eclipse period.

Pizza Hut Pizza Hut offered a large pizza with up to 10 toppings for $12, or a selection of menu pizzas for the same price point.

Applebee’s Applebee’s participated in the eclipse promotions, though specific offer details were subject to local availability. Consumers were advised to check their local Applebee’s for participation.

Themed Beverages

Blue Moon Blue Moon released a limited-edition "Blue Moon Eclipse Sips kit" for $25. The kit included four Blue Moon pint glasses, black light coasters, a flashlight, and "moondust" (an additive intended to make the beer shimmer). The kits went on sale on April 3 and were intended to arrive before April 8.

Biggby Coffee Biggby Coffee offered eclipse-themed drinks on April 8: "The Solar Flare" and "The Eclipse Biggby Blast."

Celsius Celsius marketed three new, limited-time energy drink flavors to celebrate the eclipse: Astro Vibe, Cosmic Vibe, and Galaxy Vibe. These were available at stores nationwide and online.

Thornton’s Thornton’s offered a free 20oz Pepsi to customers using their rewards app.

Alcohol and Spirits

Tincup Whiskey Tincup Whiskey offered a "Totality Bundle" for $78, which included a 750-milliliter bottle of their 10-year bourbon and two Carabiner mugs. Free shipping was included with the bundle.

Casey Jones Distillery Casey Jones Distillery, located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, released a four-grain, 100-proof Total Eclipse Kentucky Straight Bourbon ($49.99) and a 100-proof Total Eclipse Moonshine ($29.99). These items were available for purchase online.

Entertainment and Retail

Chuck E. Cheese Chuck E. Cheese offered 500 free bonus e-tickets to customers who visited their locations before or after viewing the Solar Eclipse.

Educational Resources

Simply Kinder Simply Kinder provided educational resources for classroom use regarding the solar eclipse. These included informative videos, hands-on activities, and a free solar family flyer to send home with families. The organization also offered for sale various eclipse-themed activity bundles and center packs for kindergarten students, such as "Space and Eclipse Centers and Activities for Kindergarten" and "Lunar Eclipse 2025 Activities MEGA BONUS Bundle."

Conclusion

The Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 served as a catalyst for widespread promotional activity across the United States. Brands in the food, beverage, and retail sectors capitalized on the event to offer consumers free safety gear, discounted meals, and limited-edition products. While the eclipse itself was a singular astronomical event, the promotional strategies highlighted the responsiveness of the consumer market to cultural moments. Consumers were able to access a variety of freebies and deals by utilizing mobile apps, text-to-join services, and in-store visits, provided they met specific eligibility requirements such as membership status or purchase minimums.