Friday Freebies

• Here’s something sweet for St. Patrick’s Day: Wear green to Krispy Kreme March 15-17 to get a free green doughnut, no purchase necessary.
• Free SoberRides home (worth up to $15) are once again being offered to St. Patrick’s Day partiers across the D.C. region. They’re available from Lyft, from 4 p.m. on March 14 to 4 a.m. on March 18.
• Current and former federal workers can get free tickets to the Nats-O’s exhibition game on March 24 at Nationals Park.
• The first day of spring is Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen! You don’t have to buy anything to get a free small vanilla cone at participating locations on March 20.
• Also on March 20, grab a free 6-oz. Rita’s Italian Ice in your favorite available flavor.

• • All current and recently fired federal workers can get a free meal at all Nando’s D.C.-area restaurants on March 7. Just show up between 2 and 5 p.m. with your federal ID or proof you were let go in the last six months to get a free quarter-chicken and chips. The offer is good for dine-in or takeout, while supplies last.
  • Kroger wants to help ease your transition to daylight saving time. Starting at noon on March 7, you can visit Kroger.com/HourBack to claim one of 39,000 free breakfast items, while supplies last.
  • Get a free 24-ounce smoothie when you buy a bowl or entrée now through March 9, during Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s Tropic Fan Fest. Join Tropic Rewards (if you haven’t already) to get the deal.
  • Ready for a “shamrocking” good time? The Greater Manassas St. Patrick’s Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. on March 8.
  • Expect more Irish music at the Annapolis St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which steps off March 9th at 1 p.m.
  • The “Every Kid Outdoors” program gives fourth graders and their families free admission to all National Parks nationwide, now through August 31. Just sign up for a special pass.
  • Place a $10 order at a Shake Shack in-store kiosk or through the app – to be fulfilled between 2 and 5 p.m. – and get a free shake. Use code SWEETSPOT. Offer good at participating locations, through March 31.

  • ---

    Things to do in the DC area: Wildfire relief concert, Vienna Restaurant Week … and more!

• Friday is the last day to claim free queso at Chipotle. Just buy an entrée through Chipotle’s website or mobile app using code QUESO25.
• Get your green on for the always-extra-early Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 1, in Old Town. It starts at 12:30 p.m. where King and St. Asaph streets meet.
• Jimmy John’s is introducing its new toasted sandwiches by giving away $1 million worth of them for free (while they last) on Tuesday. To get yours that day, log in to the Jimmy John’s app or website and use promo code TOASTEDTUESDAY.
• The cherry blossoms aren’t here yet, but the orchids are! The “Orchids: Masters of Deception” exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden in D.C. is free to see through April 27.
• On Tuesday, get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes at participating IHOP restaurants for National Pancake Day. The offer is good for dine-in only.

• The free Black History Month performance “Melanin Hues” will feature five Black artists sharing personal stories. Seating is first-come, first-served on Friday at the Sam Abbott Citizens’ Center in Takoma Park.
• Saturday is National Margarita Day, and Don Tito in Arlington will offer $5 margaritas all day. RSVP in advance to get a free taco.
• The winter-themed Flurry Fest at The Yards in D.C. on Saturday will feature family-friendly activities, a live DJ, glitter tattoos and more. Admission is free.
• Bring the kids to the new, locally-owned ice cream shop Swirls of Frederick on Sunday between 2 and 4 p.m. to get a photo with everyone’s favorite famous blue dog! Kids 12 and younger get a free, kid-size soft-serve ice cream cone. Adults will be offered a free cup of coffee and menu item tastings.

• Panera‘s new Asiago Bagel Stack sandwiches are buy one, get one free for MyPanera members on Feb. 14. Use code “BAEGEL” to get yours.
• Cinnabon Rewards Members can claim buy one, get one free churros on Feb. 14. Just redeem a reward through the app.
• For Valentine’s Day, buy 10 wings at Hooters and you’ll get 10 boneless wings free. It’s a dine-in-only deal at participating locations on February 14.
• The 2025 George Washington Birthday Parade in Alexandria, Virginia, steps off at 2 p.m. Feb. 15.
• Moe’s Southwest Grill is offering buy one, get one free entrees for Moe Rewards Members at participating locations Feb. 14 to 16.
• Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe in Arlington is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary on Feb. 15, with a free party that includes free cupcakes. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required.
• Shake Shack has a Valentine’s Day BOGO offer. Through Feb. 17, buy one SmokeShack burger, and get a second one free with code: “BEMINE”.
• Clarendon Ballroom is hosting its first-ever “Stop Light Party” on Feb. 15, and admission is free. Share your relationship status at the door, and you’ll get a red wristband if you’re taken, a yellow one if “it’s complicated” or a green one if you’re looking for love. Your wristband also gets you drink specials.
• Mount Vernon is offering free admission on Feb. 17, for George Washington’s Birthday.

• Wanting to keep a good thing going, 7-Eleven is making its offer of a free small Slurpee on Fridays an all-month freebie for the month of February. The month’s first giveaway starts on Feb. 7.
• Are you a bookworm in need of a new pair of specs for those late-night, just-one-more-chapter reading sessions? Zenni is offering three free pairs of reading glasses as part of its gratitude giveaway. Note, a daily limit is in place, but request forms will reopen the following day at noon EST.
• NYX Cosmetics is offering a free sample of its pore filler primer for those looking to test the waters on a pore-minimizing primer. The offer is only available while supplies last to residents of US states aged 18 or older.
• With tax season officially underway, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is launching a free volunteer-based tax assistance and preparation program through April 15. AARP membership is not required and volunteers are IRS-certified.
• Firehouse Subs is bringing back its “Name of the Day” buy-one-get-one promotion. The sandwich specialty will release a set of names and anyone whose name is picked is eligible the day of to get a free sub. A photo ID must be presented at the time of purchase, or submitted via the app or online.

Now, whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just watching the commercials — or, dare I say, being forced to watch — the Super Bowl this year comes with its own freebie offerings.

• Buffalo Wild Wings is offering free six traditional or boneless wings if the big game goes into overtime. In the event that it does, the offer will be redeemable on Feb. 24 from 2 to 5 p.m. local time.
• Chipotle is looking to give out 50,000 free entrées to customers watching the game. Whenever something “extra” happens, the eatery will drop a “text-to-claim” code on X and its Instagram story. Those first to text the code to 888-222 will clinch the freebie.
• And that’s still not all. The Mexican grill spot is offering free Guac and Queso Blanco on Feb. 10 with any purchase of an entrée. This is only available through the Chipotle app or website with promo code “EXTRA25.”

• 7-Eleven wants to blast away your winter blues with a sweet treat. On Jan. 31, you can get a free small Slurpee while supplies last at participating 7-Eleven and Speedway locations.
• The Fairfax City Chocolate Lovers Festival runs Jan. 31-Feb. 2, and many events and performances are free.
• Topgolf launches a new “Block Party experience” on Feb. 1, inspired by the upcoming movie “Captain America: Brave New World.” Try it for free, by claiming 30 minutes of free gameplay.
• Welcome to the Year of the Snake! D.C.’s annual Chinese Lunar New Year Parade is Sunday, Feb. 2. It starts at 6th and E streets NW and ends with a firecracker finale at 6th and H.

• It’s finally happening, panda fans! Starting Jan. 24, the general public can see the new giant pandas at the National Zoo. Admission is free, but entry passes are required.
• Buffalo Wild Wings is offering buy-one-get-one-free burgers on Mondays and Wednesdays with code BOGOBURGER, and buy-one-get-one-free boneless wings on Thursdays. The offer is good at participating locations for a limited time.
• In honor of the return of pandas to D.C., on Jan. 23, Silver Diner will hand out Panda pins — while supplies last — to its Kids Club members. Each pin contains a prize: A free kids’ shake!
• Westfield Montgomery hosts its 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration on Jan. 25. It will include a dragon parade, music, martial arts demonstrations and hands-on crafts.
• Pizza Boli’s has an online-only deal, available on Mondays: Buy one large signature pizza, get a second one of equal or lesser value free.
• Download the Auntie Anne’s app and join its rewards program to get a free pretzel after you spend $1.

There are all sorts of free events happening around D.C. tied to Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which both fall on Jan. 20.

Meanwhile, this week’s freebies list focuses on other things you can see, eat and do:

• Jan. 19 is your final day to check out the National Gallery of Art’s popular exhibit “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Movement,” featuring works by Cezanne, Monet, Renoir and more. Admission is free.
• Regal is celebrating National Popcorn Day on Jan. 19. Members of the theater company’s loyalty club — the Regal Crown Club — will get a free small popcorn when they buy a movie ticket that day. If you’re not already a club member, it’s free to join.
• Jan. 20 is a free-fee day at all National Parks across the country that normally charge an admission fee.
• Jan. 23 is Guest Appreciation Day at Chicken Salad Chick. That’s when every location will give away free scoops of Classic Carol chicken salad — with no purchase necessary — when you dine in, carry out or drive through. If you order online or through the app, you’ll get a free scoop for every entrée you buy.

• Get a free egg sandwich with purchase at participating Einstein Bros. Bagels when you order ahead online or through the app. Join Einstein Bros. Rewards now to get early access to the deal. Existing rewards members will get access on National Bagel Day, which falls on Jan. 15.
• The general public can’t view the new giant pandas at the National Zoo just yet, but to celebrate their big debut there’s a free screening of “Kung Fu Panda” at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It’s set for Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. Reserve your ticket(s) online.
• Want to spend more time outdoors in 2025? Join the “New Year’s Resolution” guided hike in Calvert County, Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. It’s a free event starting at the American Chestnut Land Trust South Side Trailhead in Port Republic.
• On Jan. 12, Shipgarten in Tysons is hosting a free “Kiddo Rave” starting at noon. The entire family can dance to kid-friendly music along with bubbles, glow sticks, face painting and more.
• Head to Hank Dietle’s Tavern in Rockville Jan. 13 for Wolf’s Every Monday Blues Show & Sit-In Jam. It starts with a performance by a host band made up of a rotating lineup of top local blues musicians. After that, musicians can sign up to sit in and jam with the band. There’s no cover charge.

• In 2025, every Friday is Free Fries Friday at McDonald’s if you have the restaurant’s app. Use it to get free medium fries every Friday with any purchase of $1 or more.
• Don’t have Apple TV+? You can watch it for free Jan. 3-5 on any device where it’s available. All you need to get an all-access pass is an Apple ID.
• The next free open house at the Silver Spring B&O Railroad Station is on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tour the station, ride Thomas the Tank Engine, check out a model train display and go trainspotting.
• Three Kings Day commemorates the Biblical story of the Three Wise Men who visited baby Jesus and brought him gifts. The GALA Hispanic Theatre in D.C. is hosting its annual Three Kings Day free family festival on Sunday, Jan. 5, with a street parade and show.
• Jan. 5 is a Free Community Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Enjoy guided tours of the museum’s collection, make your own art and check out the reading room.

• Listen to a Hanukkah story time at the People’s Book in Takoma Park, Maryland, on Dec. 29. The event is free.
• Watch the Menorah Lighting in Arlington, Virginia’s Clarendon neighborhood on Dec. 29. You have to register, but tickets are free.
• Visit the Festival of Lights at the Washington DC Temple for free through Jan. 1. The display has more than 500,000 Christmas lights.
• For New Year’s Eve celebrations, ride for free on Metrorail or Metrobus after 8 p.m. Read more on WTOP.com.
• The Sleep Cycle app  is offering its Cough Radar feature for free through February 2025. The app uses audio-based AI tracking of users’ nighttime coughs to help determine patterns of illness before they start. Read more on WTOP.com.
• Get a free self-serve coffee at Sheetz through Jan. 1. Rewards members can get the deal by visiting the “Offerz” tab on the Sheetz app. Looking for a salty snack? If you make an order of $15 or more on the app, the store will throw in a free bag of fries through Dec. 31.

Check out more events this season: 

• How to celebrate Hanukkah 2024 in the DC area
• Things to do in the DC area: Live EDM shows, Best of DC comedy showcase … and more!

• The National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony airs Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. on CBS. If you’d like to see it, and nearly 60 other trees adorned with ornaments designed by students, head to the Ellipse. The display is open daily through Jan. 1. The trees are lit every evening at sunset.
• Use the Wendy’s app to get different buy-one-get-one-free deals every day through Dec. 22.
• For the holiday season, an indoor, synthetic ice rink has opened inside the National Building Museum. Admission is free if you bring your own skates or rent a pair for $5. Skaters need to register in advance, and dates and times vary now through Jan. 4.
• Get a free burger with a $10 purchase every day at Shake Shack, now through Dec. 24. Just use code BURGERBLITZ when you place your order at an in-restaurant kiosk, through the app, or at shakeshack.com. The type of burger being given away changes daily.
• Head to Old Town Alexandria on Dec. 24 to see the annual Waterskiing Santa Show on the Potomac River. In addition to St. Nick, you may see some reindeer and the Grinch, too.

• Buy a one-year Costco membership (starting at $65) and get a free $45 Digital Costco Shop Card. Grab the deal through Stack Social by Dec. 22, and redeem it by Jan. 31.
• The Kriss Kringle Procession parade in Downtown Frederick happens Dec. 13, and the finale is the lighting of the city’s holiday tree.
• Buy 12 Insomnia Cookies in-store or online, and you’ll get 4 classic cookies free. The offer expires at 6 a.m., Dec. 16.
• Wonder Garten in Northeast holds Krampusnacht DC – its alternative holiday celebration for the 21-and-over crowd – Dec. 14. Admission is free, but you’re asked to consider making a donation to the Wanda Alston Foundation.
• Who doesn’t love “A Charlie Brown Christmas?” Non-subscribers can stream the special for free on Apple TV+ Dec. 14 and 15.
• Leesburg’s Christmas and Holiday Parade marches down King Street on Dec. 14.

• More than 500,000 Christmas lights, all in one place! You’ll find those and more at the free Festival of Lights at the Washington D.C. Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kensington every day, now through Jan. 1, 2025.
• The Winter Community Day & Columbia Heights Tree Lighting Ceremony is Dec. 6 from 2-8 p.m. at the Columbia Heights Civic Plaza. There will be holiday music, hot cocoa, local vendors and freebies and deals at local businesses.
• Plan to gift someone some bourbon for the holidays? Some distillers offer free personalized labels you can add to the bottle, including Woodford Reserve and Four Roses.
• If you’re mad for plaid and pipe and drum bands, Alexandria’s annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade happens rain or shine on Dec. 7, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Admission is free to the annual “Seasons Greenings” holiday exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden in D.C., running now through Jan. 5, 2025, except Dec. 25. Enjoy outdoor gardens, replicas of D.C. landmarks made from plants, and a model train display.