95 Best Birthday Freebies and Places for Free Stuff on Your Big Day in 2024

No matter how old you get, there are a lot of things to look forward to when your birthday rolls around: well wishes, heartfelt cards, parties with friends and family and sweet treats. But the only thing better than getting a great gift or a big slice of birthday cake? Free stuff. Take advantage of all the best birthday freebies you can get from your favorite stores and popular restaurants near you in celebration of your big day.

Turns out, the world loves celebrating birthdays (who knew?!). There are tons of places that love to offer those celebrating free stuff or a discounted deal. So many people don't even know about all the good opportunities they're missing — at least, until now. We've done the legwork and compiled a solid list of the best birthday places for free stuff you and your friends can take advantage of year after year.

Get everything from ice cream at Baskin-Robbins and chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-A to popular lip balm and favorite skincare product samples at Sephora. Grab a few friends and get going on hitting all the shops. We don't know if you'll be able to check every store and restaurant off this list, but hey, we applaud you if you want to challenge yourself and try.

• 7-ELEVEN: Suck down a free Slurpee anytime during your birthday month.
• AMC THEATRES: AMC Stubs Insider members get a free large popcorn, while Stubs Premiere and A-List members get a free large popcorn and a large fountain drink available during your birthday month.
• APPLEBEE'S: Get a free birthday dessert with a minimum purchase of $15 or more.
• ARBY'S: With the purchase of any sandwich receive a free order of small curly fries and a small shake.
• AUNTIE ANNE'S: Spend more than $10 a year through the Auntie Anne's Rewards App and receive a free soft pretzel on your birthday.
• BASKIN-ROBBINS: Score a free 2.5-ounce ice cream scoop when you sign up for the Birthday Club.
• BERTUCCI'S: Get a free reward when you're registered for their e-club.
• BENIHANA: Get a $30 complimentary birthday gift certificate if you're registered for The Chef's Table.
• BUFFALO WILD WINGS: Get six free wings during your birthday month.
• BURGER KING: Earn 2X the reward points all throughout your birthday month, which can go towards earning free food and drink deals.
• CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN: Enjoy a free birthday dessert at any rewards membership, plus a free entree if you are a Diamond member.
• CARVEL: Receive a free cone if you're signed up for the Fudgie Fanatic loyalty program.
• CAPITOL GRILLE: Enjoy a free dessert, no rewards sign up required.
• CHICK-FIL-A: There are a few free treat options to choose from, depending on your membership tier. Chick-Fil-A One Members can get either a chocolate chunk cookie or a chocolate fudge brownie. Silver members can choose between a chocolate chunk cookie, a chocolate fudge brownie, small milkshake, small frosted lemonade, small frosted coffee, small Icedream^® cone or small Icedream^® cup. Red Members will receive their choice of either a grilled or regular sandwich or 8- and 12-count nuggets and Signature Members will receive their choice of entrée.
• CHILI'S: Get a free dessert on your birthday.
• CHIPOTLE: Rewards members get a free order of chips and guac with a $5 purchase.
• CINNABON: Enjoy one free birthday treat
  
• COLD STONE CREAMERY: Take advantage of their birthday "buy one, get one" birthday deal.
• CRACKER BARREL: Enjoy a free dessert and birthday song when you go to your nearest location.
• CRUMBL COOKIES: Get a $5 voucher for one free cookie.
• CULVER'S: Celebrate with a free scoop of ice cream with one topping of your choice.
• DAIRY QUEEN: Take advantage of a special (usually free) birthday offer — but make sure you've purchased from DQ through the app in the past 45 days to take advantage of it.
• DEL TACO: Score a free reward on your birthday with any purchase.
• DENNY'S: Enjoy a free Everyday Value Slam, where you can choose between, two buttermilk pancakes, two slices of Brioche French Toast or a biscuits and gravy platter. It comes with eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage.
• DUNKIN': Dunkin' Rewards members earn a "birthday bonus" which gives them 3X the points on any purchases made all day long. Earn free food and drink once 150 points, or $15, has been spent.
• DUTCH BROS. COFFEE: Download the app to get a free medium birthday drink.
• EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS: Any Edible Rewards member can be a part of the birthday club and receive a free Dipped Fruit box, which includes six pieces of chocolate-dipped fruit.
• FRIENDLY'S: You'll receive a free medium sundae if you're part of the FRIENDLY'S sweet Rewards Club.
• IHOP: Dig into a free full stack of Original Buttermilk pancakes on your bday.
• JERSEY MIKE'S SUBS: Get a free regular sub and 16-ounce soft drink when you're signed up to Jersey Mike's email club.
• JOHNNY ROCKETS: Although not "birthday-specific," you can get a free burger with the purchase of any entree and a drink or shake when you join the Rocket e-Club.
• KRISPY KREME: Get a free donut during your birthday month in addition to the free donut you get with a purchase if you sign up for Krispy Kreme Rewards.
• MCDONALD'S: Score a free medium fries through the My McDonald's app.
• OLIVE GARDEN: Get a complimentary dessert when you dine in-house.
• OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE: Hit up Outback on your special day for a free dessert and birthday song.
• PANERA BREAD: Get a free pastry or sweet from Panera on or up to seven days after your birthday.
• PAPA JOHN'S: Enjoy a free dessert anytime during your birthday month.
• PERKINS:Reward members are eligible for a specialty birthday gift.
• P.F. CHANG'S: Celebrate with a complimentary dessert or appetizer anytime during your birthday month.
• PINKBERRY: Get a free yogurt if you sign up for Pinkcard rewards as well as a free yogurt after every 10 purchases.
• PIZZA HUT: Get a free birthday treat when you're signed up for Pizza Hut benefits.
• QUIZNO'S:Take advantage of their BOGO birthday reward.
• RED LOBSTER: My Red Lobster Reward members get a free Chocolate Wave (chocolate cake slice with vanilla ice cream).
• RED ROBIN: Adults get a free burger during their birthday month and your young ones can get a free kids' meal to celebrate theirs.
• RITA'S: Celebrate with a free small Italian ice, frozen custard or gelati if you're signed up for Rita's e-club.
• RUBY TUESDAY: Enjoy a free dessert up to seven days before you're actual birthday or up to 14 days following it.
• SBARRO: Get a free XL NY Slice with a minimum purchase of $5 a week prior to your birthday through the Sbarro Rewards app.
• SHAKE SHACK: Add your birthday to your Shack Shack profile on the app for a free birthday shake.
• SMASHBURGER: Get a free shake on or within seven days of your birthday.
• SONIC: Reward club members can enjoy a free side and a shake when you order through the Sonic app or in person.
• STARBUCKS: As long as you provide your birthday in the Starbucks mobile app, you'll receive a Birthday Reward for one free beverage, food item or ready-to-drink bottled beverage of your choice, but it is only valid on your birthday.
• SUBWAY: Subway offers different birthday treats depending on your membership tier. Pro members will receive a free cookie, Captain members receive a free 20-ounce fountain drink and free cookie and All-Star members will receive a free 6-inch sub of their choice. All rewards are good for up to two weeks after your birthday.
• TACO BELL: Get a free meal on your birthday (as long as you've made one purchase previously within the last year).
• TCBY: Enjoy a free small fro-yo when you're registered to receive rewards.
• TGI FRIDAYS: Score a free birthday treat through the rewards program.
• THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY: Choose a complimentary slice of cheesecake from the over 60 flavors on the menu.
• TIM HORTONS: Rewards members get a free item on their birthday.
• WAFFLE HOUSE: Members of the Regulars Club get a free order of hashbrowns upon signup and you'll get a free birthday waffle.
• ZAXBY'S: Get three free cookies through the app, either through in-app ordering or with the QR code to be scanned in-store.

• ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS: Members of the ABH loyalty programs get a birthday month gift in addition to other exclusive offers.
• ARMANI BEAUTY: Join the Armani Signature VIP Program and score a special birthday reward or gift depending on which tier you are.
• AVEDA: Earn a birthday gift and double points with each purchase during your birthday month.
• BATH AND BODY WORKS: Get a free gift of your choice (with a value up to $9.95) with any purchase.
• BAREMINERALS: Rewards members are only eligible for the free birthday gift if they are making an additional purchase online anytime throughout their birthday month.
• BOBBI BROWN: Enjoy a birthday gift of $10 off a $30 or more order up to $50 off a $51 order or more, depending on the rewards tier.
• CHARLOTTE TILBURY: Members of the loyalty program will get a one-time code to redeem one birth gift. According to the terms and conditions, it seems this is not an annual gift and is only a one-time offer.
• E.L.F.: Anyone who is a member of the Beauty Squad gets a birthday gift, with the two highest tiers also getting bonus points with any purchases during the birthday month.
• KIEHL'S: As a rewards member you'll receive a birthday gift according to which level you're signed up for. The EXTRA tier gifts a lip balm and one deluxe sample, the SUPER tier gifts a lip balm and two deluxe samples and the EVEREST tier gifts a travel-sized mini set and three deluxe samples.
• LANCÔME: Your complimentary birthday gift is only redeemable online if you are a rewards member. It must be used within 30 days and you have to spend a minimum of $50 to receive it.
• MAC COSMETICS: Get 2X the points as well as an annual gift once you're in the Silver Lover or Gold Lover tier.
• SEPHORA: As long as you're signed up for their rewards program, Beauty Insider, you're allowed to choose a birthday gift for free from a selection of makeup, skincare and haircare offerings during your birthday month. Although free in-store, if you order online, you have to spend $25 to redeem.
• SMASHBOX: Score a free birthday gift during your birthday month no matter what level of a rewards member you are.
• SOL DE JANEIRO: If you spend $75 per year, you're eligible for a free birthday gift.
• TARTE: Offers free birthday gifts at any tier level.
• THE BODY SHOP: Get a $10 Birthday Reward, valid for your birthday month, if you are part of the Love Your Body Club.
• ULTA: As part of Ulta Rewards, you get to choose a free gift from a handful of products during your birthday month. That said, your birthday must be in your profile by the 8th of your birthday month to be eligible for the benefit.
• URBAN DECAY: Members of a UD Rewards tier are able to receive a free birthday gift.
• YSL BEAUTY: Score a birthday gift if you're part of the YSL loyalty club.

• AERIE: Enjoy a $5 birthday reward.
• AMERICAN EAGLE: Enjoy a $5 birthday reward.
• ATHLETA: Loyalty members of any tier get a free "birthday bonus."
• BANANA REPUBLIC: Free gift available through the reward program.
• DSW: Get up to $10 off your next purchase.
• GYMBOREE: My Place Rewards members will get a 20% coupon during the month of their child's birthday and My Place Rewards Credit Cardholders will get 25% off coupon. You can receive coupons for up to four children.
• H&M: Get 25% off online or in-store if you're an H&M member.
• J.CREW: Get $10, $15 or $20 off, depending on what loyalty tier you're in.
• MACY'S: Macy's credit card holders or bronzes level loyalty members will get a free birthday surprise but you have to have made a purchase at Macy's or macys.com on your account within the last 12 months.
• OLD NAVY: Enjoy a birthday bonus discount.
• REEBOK: Enjoy the annual birthday discount through Reebok membership program.
• SAVAGE X FENTY: You're able to receive a free gift if you make any purchase during your birthday month if you are a Savage X rewards member. It will be automatically sent out with your order.
• SOMA: To take advantage of the free birthday gift you have to have purchased something within the last 12 months.
• TARGET: Get 5% off a purchase up to 30 days after your birthday.
• THE CHILDREN’S PLACE: Like Gymboree, My Place Rewards members will get a 20% coupon during the month of their child's birthday and My Place Rewards Credit Cardholders will get 25% off coupon. You can receive coupons for up to four children.
• VERA BRADLEY: Redeem $25 off an order of $100 or more.
• VICTORIA'S SECRET/PINK: If you're a member of any of the three reward program tiers, you'll be gifted a $10 reward for any purchase. If you have Victoria's Secret credit card and are a gold rewards member, that reward is $15.

Annie O’Sullivan

Assistant Editor

Annie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and previously reported for Runner’s World, NBC New York/NY 4 and Woman’s Day. Annie also has experience writing entertainment news and celebrity-focused content.