The summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year, has become a significant promotional event for brands and retailers across the United States. On June 20, 2025, consumers can expect a variety of freebies, discounts, and special offers designed to celebrate the official start of summer. These promotions span categories including food, beverages, and entertainment, often requiring specific actions such as app downloads, membership sign-ups, or coupon redemption. The following article details the verified offers available for the 2025 summer solstice, based exclusively on information from official brand announcements and verified promotional pages.
Verified 2025 Summer Solstice Freebies and Deals
Several brands have announced specific promotions for June 20, 2025. The availability and details of these offers are subject to change, and consumers are advised to confirm participation with their local establishments.
Food and Beverage Promotions
A significant portion of the solstice deals focuses on free food and discounted meals. These offers often require membership in a brand’s loyalty program or the use of a specific promotional code.
- Kroger: The grocery chain is giving away 92,000 pints of Kroger brand ice cream. This promotion is structured as 1,000 free pints available each day for 92 days, with a specific allocation for June 20. To redeem, customers must visit FreeKrogerIceCream.com on June 20 starting at noon ET to download a single-use digital coupon, which is available while supplies last. This offer is available exclusively on June 20, and no purchase is necessary to obtain the coupon.
- Pizza Hut: Hut Rewards members can receive a free large 1-topping pizza from participating locations. To qualify, members must spend a minimum of $7.99 online or through the Pizza Hut app. This deal is valid from June 20 through June 22, 2025.
- CAVA: CAVA Rewards members can get a free order of pita chips, available in Classic or Hot Harissa flavors, on June 20. This offer requires no purchase and is available to rewards members.
- White Castle: Customers can use the promo code SUMMER to buy one shake and get one free from June 20 to June 22. This offer is valid online and through the Craver Nations Rewards app. White Castle is also offering a BOGO deal on Double Cheese Sliders from June 1 to June 30 and a promotion for six Original Sliders for $4 throughout the summer, though these are not exclusive to the solstice.
- Shipley Do-Nuts: Customers can receive one free classic glazed Shipley Do-Nut with any purchase. To claim the free donut, customers must visit a Shipley shop, order online, or use the loyalty app with the code DonutMonth25.
- Friendly’s: The restaurant is offering $1 off a scoop, cone, or dish.
- Potbelly: Customers can purchase any Original or BIG sandwich and get a second Original sandwich free.
- Nescafé x Swoon: This brand collaboration is offering a free, limited-edition Espresso Lemonade kit. The kit is described as a blend of NESCAFÉ Espresso Concentrate Black with Swoon's Classic Lemonade. It is available for free only at nescafe.com/NEClemonade while supplies last.
Beverage and Snack Offers
Several brands are promoting new beverage and snack items for the solstice.
- Gopuff and Lemonhead: This partnership offers free Lemonhead Ropes delivered via Gopuff on summer Fridays (June 20 through August 29) when rain is forecast in a customer's city. The deal is valid between 1 and 8 p.m. ET in select markets, while supplies last. Customers must check the Gopuff website to see if their city qualifies.
- Scooter’s Coffee: Rewards members can earn double “Smiles” points on Red Bull Infusions purchased after 11 a.m. via the Scooter’s app on June 20.
Restaurant and Retail Deals
Other deals include discounts on meals and entertainment.
- Checkers & Rally’s: A $4 summer solstice combo is available, which includes a Cheese Double or Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Famous Seasoned Fries, a 12-ounce drink, and a Cinnamon Apple Pie.
- Regal Cinemas: $1 family movies are available at select theaters. Consumers should check local listings for participation.
- Showcase Cinemas: Children can earn free tickets by submitting a book report.
- TGI Fridays: The restaurant offers a $5 Happy Hour all day for dine-in customers.
- Wayback Burgers: A free 12 oz vanilla shake is available in-store on June 20 only.
- Subway: A BOGO $1 Footlongs offer is available with code BOGO1 in the app or online.
- Ziggi’s Coffee: Customers can get $2 off iced, blended, or frozen drinks via the Ziggi’s app.
Eligibility and Redemption Requirements
Access to these solstice deals typically involves specific steps. The most common requirements include:
- Membership or App Enrollment: Many offers, such as those from CAVA, Pizza Hut, and White Castle, require enrollment in the brand’s rewards program or app. For example, Sonic’s “Live Free Fridays” freebies start on June 20 for those who join the app.
- Digital Coupons and Codes: Some promotions require downloading a digital coupon or entering a promo code at the point of sale or online checkout. Kroger’s ice cream offer requires a digital coupon from FreeKrogerIceCream.com, while White Castle’s shake deal uses the code SUMMER.
- Purchase Requirements: Certain deals are contingent on a minimum purchase. The Pizza Hut free pizza requires a $7.99 spend, and Shipley’s free donut requires any purchase.
- Geographic and Time Restrictions: Offers may be limited to specific locations, markets, or time windows. Gopuff’s Lemonhead Ropes are only available in select markets and during specific hours. Regal and Showcase Cinema deals are dependent on local theater participation.
- Supply Limitations: Many freebies are offered “while supplies last,” which means availability is not guaranteed. This is explicitly noted for the Kroger ice cream, Nescafé Lemonade, and Gopuff offers.
Important Considerations for Consumers
While these deals are enticing, consumers should take several precautions:
- Verify Local Participation: As noted in the source material, it is wise to call ahead to confirm that a specific restaurant or retailer is participating in the promotion, as terms can vary by location.
- Understand Terms and Conditions: Each offer has specific terms, such as the requirement to be a rewards member (CAVA, Pizza Hut) or to use a specific code (White Castle). Reading the full terms is essential.
- Act Promptly: Offers with limited quantities or time-sensitive windows, such as the Kroger ice cream coupon available only on June 20 starting at noon ET, require immediate action.
Conclusion
The summer solstice of 2025 presents a clear opportunity for U.S. consumers to access a variety of free products and discounted offers from well-known brands. The promotions are heavily focused on the food and beverage sector, with a significant number requiring digital engagement through apps, loyalty programs, or specific websites. Key takeaways include the large-scale Kroger ice cream giveaway, free pizza from Pizza Hut with a minimum spend, and app-based freebies from brands like Sonic and Scooter’s Coffee. Success in claiming these offers depends on understanding the specific eligibility rules, redemption methods, and potential limitations such as geographic availability and supply caps. Consumers are advised to consult the official brand channels listed in the sources for the most current and accurate information.