Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving. In conjunction with this solemn observance, many retailers, restaurants, and service providers offer freebies, discounts, and special promotions to active duty personnel, veterans, and their families. This article compiles verified offers for Memorial Day 2025 based on information from official brand communications and reputable deal-tracking sources. It focuses on accessible promotions, including free food, discounted merchandise, and special access to services, primarily for U.S. consumers. The information is organized by category and includes eligibility requirements and redemption details as reported in the source materials.
Overview of Memorial Day 2025 Promotions
Memorial Day 2025 promotions extend beyond traditional retail sales to include a range of freebies and discounts specifically for military personnel. Offers typically require verification of military status, often through a valid military ID, veteran status, or enrollment in a military discount program like Veterans Advantage. Some promotions are available to all customers, while others are exclusively for military members and their families. The following sections detail offers across dining, retail, entertainment, and services, based on the most current information available from the provided sources.
Dining and Restaurant Freebies
Several national and regional dining chains offer free meals, discounts, or special menu items for military personnel on Memorial Day. Participation may vary by location, so verifying with the nearest restaurant is recommended.
- Applebee’s: Participating locations offer active, retired military service members and their families a 10% discount on their bill for dine-in service. Additionally, Applebee’s is serving an All-You-Can-Eat Memorial Day special for dine-in guests from May 23 through May 26, 2025, featuring Chicken Tenders, Double Crunch Shrimp, or Riblets for $15.99, accompanied by coleslaw and endless fries.
- Buddy’s Bar-B-Q: Offers a free pulled pork sandwich to members of the military and first responders on Memorial Day.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: Provides six free wings when customers order $10 or more for delivery or takeout and use the promo code GOWINGS during checkout at BuffaloWildWings.com or in the Buffalo Wild Wings app. Buffalo Wild Wings also offers a 10% military discount year-round.
- 7-Eleven: Veterans Advantage members can receive a free coffee or Big Gulp on Memorial Day. Additionally, 7-Eleven is offering $20 off any $30 delivery order when ordered through the 7NOW app with promo code MONDAY20 at checkout (valid on 5/26/25). Subscribers to the 7NOW Gold Pass delivery service can also get one free pizza per day.
- Burger King: Royal Perks members can receive a free Whopper Jr. every day from May 23 through May 26, 2025.
- Bubbakoo’s Burritos: Offers free delivery with no minimum purchase on orders placed online or in-app during Memorial Day weekend (May 23–26, 2025).
- Cali’Flour: Expected to offer a sitewide promo code for Memorial Day.
- Casey’s: Features a buy-one-get-one 50% off large pizzas special, along with other limited-time promos like $8 off two large pizzas and two sides, $6 for two pizzas and one side, and $4 off one large pizza and two sides.
- Checkers & Rally’s: Rewards members may receive an in-app BOGO sandwich deal for Memorial Day.
- Chicken Shack: Anticipated to offer a discount with a promo code for online orders.
- Cinnabon: Likely to offer rewards members an exclusive deal and a 15% military discount at participating locations.
- Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse: Features a Memorial Day Prix Fixe Menu, which includes a 32 oz item (specific item not detailed in source).
- Abuelo’s: Expected to offer a discount for Memorial Day.
Retail and Shopping Discounts
Numerous retailers provide percentage-based discounts to military personnel, often requiring a verified military ID. These discounts are sometimes available year-round but may be highlighted on Memorial Day.
- Home Depot: Offers a 10% discount on Memorial Day with a verified military ID.
- Jiffy Lube: Provides a 15% discount for all services year-round.
- Kohl’s: Offers a 15% discount every Monday in May for all military personnel and their families with a verified military ID.
- Levi’s: Offers a 15% discount with a verified military ID.
- Moosejaw: Offers 20% off full-priced items with a verified military ID.
- The North Face: Provides a 10% discount on orders for all military personnel, their spouses, and their dependents.
- Oakley: Offers 50% off select products.
- Sherwin-Williams: Offers a 15% discount for all military personnel and their spouses with a verified military ID.
- Under Armour: Offers a 15% discount on purchases on Memorial Day, with special Veterans dedicated items also available.
- Vineyard Vines: Offers a 15% discount on most products with a verified military ID.
- Zappos: Offers a 10% discount on entire orders for military personnel.
- Academy Sports + Outdoors: Listed as offering exclusive military discounts.
- Adidas: Listed as offering exclusive military discounts.
- Crocs: Listed as offering exclusive military discounts.
- HeyDude: Listed as offering exclusive military discounts.
- Reebok: Listed as offering exclusive military discounts.
- Samsung: Listed as offering exclusive military discounts.
- Sleep Number: Listed as offering exclusive military discounts.
- Stanley: Listed as offering exclusive military discounts.
Entertainment and Experience Freebies
Free admission to cultural institutions, zoos, and theme parks is a common Memorial Day offer for military families.
- Blue Star Museums: Service members can receive free tickets through Blue Star Museums’ partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families. This provides free admission to participating museums for active duty personnel and their families throughout the summer, from Armed Forces Day (May 18, 2025) through Labor Day (September 2, 2025).
- Zoos: Most zoos across the country offer free admission to military members and their families year-round, with extended deals for additional tickets on military holidays. Consumers are advised to check with their local zoo for specific Memorial Day 2025 offers.
- Theme Parks (Waves of Honor Program):
- Busch Gardens (Virginia and Florida): Offers free admission and special ticket pricing to active-duty personnel, veterans, and their families through the Waves of Honor Program, including access to Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, and Sesame Place.
- California’s Great America: Active duty military, reserves, and veterans receive a free ticket valid from May 24–27, 2025. Online discounts are available for up to six additional tickets.
- Cedar Point: Provides free admission for military members, National Guard, reserves, and veterans from May 24–27, 2025, plus a $40 discount on up to six additional tickets purchased online.
- Hershey Park: Offers a buy-one-day ticket, get-one-free deal for military members until May 31, 2025.
- Kings Dominion: Active members, veterans, National Guard, and reserves receive a free ticket from May 24–27, 2025, with a $35 discount on tickets for six guests.
- LEGOLAND: Offers deeply discounted tickets, which may include a second day free.
- Magic Springs Theme Park and Water Park: Announced HERO Appreciation Days from May 25 to June 9, 2025, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
- T-Mobile: Offers 50% off Magenta rate family lines for military personnel and their families.
Service and Household Discounts
Discounts extend to home improvement, automotive, and telecommunications services.
- Ace Hardware: Offers free American Flags.
- T-Mobile: 50% off Magenta rate family lines for military personnel and their families.
Important Considerations for Consumers
While the listed offers are based on reported promotions for Memorial Day 2025, participation can vary by location and specific terms. Consumers should always call ahead to confirm participation at their nearest location. Verification of military status is typically required for exclusive military discounts, often through a valid military ID, veteran ID, or enrollment in a program like Veterans Advantage. Some online deals may require a promo code at checkout. The availability of certain freebies, such as zoo admission or museum tickets, may depend on partnerships that extend beyond Memorial Day itself, offering benefits throughout the summer.
Conclusion
Memorial Day 2025 presents a variety of freebies and discounts aimed at honoring military personnel and providing value to consumers. The offers span dining, retail, entertainment, and services, with many requiring verification of military status. From free meals and discounted merchandise to complimentary admission at museums and theme parks, these promotions allow families to celebrate while saving money. To ensure the best experience, consumers are advised to verify details directly with the participating brands or venues, as terms and participation can vary. By planning ahead and utilizing these verified offers, U.S. consumers can partake in meaningful Memorial Day observances and summer kick-off activities.