Leap Year Freebies And Deals Your Complete Guide To February 29 Savings

The next Leap Day will be Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2028.

Leap year freebies: Discounts, free food from Wendy's, Chipotle, Krispy Kreme

Today marks the extra day on the calendar to celebrate, as 2024 is a leap year.

Every four years, the 365-day rotation of the sun becomes 366. Adding one day to the end of February, typically the shortest month distinguishes leap years. The last leap years were in 2020 and 2016, with the next one scheduled for 2028.

Krispy Kreme leap day special

Krispy Kreme announced on Feb. 26 that it is offering customers a dozen original glazed doughnuts for $2.29 with the purchase of any regularly priced dozen on Thursday, Feb. 29, in honor of the leap year.

Additionally, customers who have a Feb. 29 birthday can receive a free dozen original glazed doughnuts, no purchase necessary. Proof of birthday is required, Krispy Kreme said.

Chipotle offering free side of guacamole

Chipotle is offering Rewards members a free side of guac on Thursday for orders placed online or via the app. Members use the code EXTRA24.

Free Cinnabon during Wendy's breakfast

On leap day, Feb. 29, customers can get a free Cinnabon Pull-Apart at their local Wendy's restaurant before 10:30 a.m., no purchase necessary. Wendy's said customers can get one per vehicle in the drive thru or one per dining room transaction.

The item, a new collaboration with Cinnabon, is now available at Wendy's restaurants nationwide during breakfast hours.

Burger King offers free Whopper

Leap Day only comes around once every four years, which means it's a special occasion that brands often celebrate with exclusive freebies and discounts. In 2024, several restaurants and retailers are offering Leap Day deals that cater to both the general public and those who actually have birthdays on February 29. These promotional offers range from free menu items to significant discounts, creating a unique opportunity for consumers to save money while celebrating this rare calendar occurrence.

Krispy Kreme is among the most generous brands this Leap Day, offering a special deal that appeals to both Leap Day birthday celebrants and general customers. The company announced on February 26 that customers can purchase a dozen original glazed doughnuts for just $2.29 when buying any regularly priced dozen on Thursday, February 29. Additionally, customers who have a February 29 birthday receive an even better deal: a free dozen original glazed doughnuts with no purchase necessary, though proof of birthday is required.

Chipotle is also participating in the Leap Day celebrations with an exclusive offer for its Rewards members. On February 29, Chipotle Rewards members can receive a free side of guacamole on orders placed either online or through the mobile app. To redeem this offer, customers need to use the code EXTRA24 at checkout. This deal is particularly noteworthy since Chipotle typically charges extra for guacamole, making this a substantial saving for customers who enjoy this popular add-on.

Wendy's is offering a breakfast-focused freebie for Leap Day. On February 29, customers can receive a free Cinnabon Pull-Apart at participating Wendy's restaurants before 10:30 a.m., with no purchase necessary. The offer allows one free item per vehicle in the drive-thru or one per dining room transaction. This promotional item is part of a new collaboration between Wendy's and Cinnabon that is now available at Wendy's locations nationwide during breakfast hours.

Several other notable brands are also jumping on the Leap Day bandwagon. Dunkin' is offering its app users a $2 Medium Cinnamon Vanilla Coffee along with 4X points on all app orders, with this offer valid through February 29. Duck Donuts is providing a cinnamon sugar donut and medium hot coffee or cold brew combo for just $2.29, available for both in-store and online orders.

Firehouse Subs is running a creative promotion for customers whose names start with the letters L, E, A, or P. These customers can get a buy one, get one free deal on medium or large subs on February 29 only, but they must show their ID to verify their name. Insomnia Cookies is offering a birthday-themed freebie to those with a Leap Day birthday, providing four free cookies and a free in-store birthday party experience.

Hardee's is offering a 29% discount on orders placed through its mobile app on February 29. Habit Burger Grill is giving away a free shake with any purchase of $2 or more when customers use the code SHAKE24 in the app. Chuck E. Cheese is providing free All-Day Jump Passes to children under 52 inches tall who visit fun centers featuring Chuck E. Cheese Trampoline Zones on Leap Day.

Some offers have geographic limitations or may be more limited in scope. For example, Dairy Queen is offering a BOGO Free Blizzard on February 29 at select locations through its app, but this promotion may be limited to Texas locations only. 7-Eleven, which has offered significant Leap Day deals in the past, has not confirmed specific offers for 2024, though in 2020 app users could save $29 on orders of $50 or more using the code 29OFF50, and could also purchase a Large Pizza for just $2.29.

The celebration extends beyond traditional food retailers. Some hotels and entertainment venues are also offering special deals. The Strat Hotel is providing a complimentary SkyJump experience to individuals born on February 29, 2024, along with a free shot of liquid courage at 108 Drinks. Milk Bar is offering Leap Year babies a free 6-inch birthday cake and cereal milk soft serve for $2.29.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is offering Pizookies for just $2.29 with a $10 minimum purchase for customers dining in-restaurant on February 29. This deal represents a significant discount on their popular dessert item.

It's important to note that many of these offers come with specific requirements and limitations. Some are only available to customers who have birthdays on February 29, requiring proof of birthdate through a valid ID. Others are limited to customers who have downloaded and registered for specific brand mobile apps. Many offers are also limited to February 29 only, meaning consumers need to act quickly to take advantage of these deals.

Geographic limitations are also common, with some offers potentially limited to certain states or regions. For instance, the Dairy Queen BOGO Blizzard deal may be restricted to Texas locations only. This highlights the importance of checking with local stores and restaurants to confirm whether specific offers are available in your area.

The mobile app requirement is another common theme across many of these Leap Day promotions. Brands like Chipotle, Dunkin', Hardee's, and Habit Burger Grill are requiring customers to use their mobile apps to access the freebies and discounts. This strategy allows brands to encourage customer engagement with their digital platforms while providing value to consumers.

The $2.29 price point appears frequently across multiple offers, which seems to be a deliberate marketing choice by brands. The price point likely references the date February 29, creating a thematic connection between the pricing and the special calendar day. This price point appears in deals from Duck Donuts, Milk Bar, and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, among others.

For consumers planning to take advantage of these Leap Day deals, several strategies can help maximize savings. First, downloading and registering for brand mobile apps in advance is essential, as many offers require app-based redemption. Second, checking with local restaurants and stores beforehand can help confirm which specific offers are available in your area, as participation often varies by location. Third, bringing valid identification is crucial for birthday-related freebies, as most brands will require proof of birthdate for these offers.

It's also worth noting that some brands, like Krispy Kreme and Insomnia Cookies, have a history of offering Leap Day promotions. Consumers who remember previous Leap Day deals from these brands might expect similar offers in future leap years, though each promotion should be verified independently.

The timing of these offers is also worth considering. Some deals, like the Wendy's Cinnabon Pull-Apart freebie, are limited to specific meal periods (breakfast hours, in this case), while others like the Insomnia Cookies offer may be redeemable throughout the day. Understanding the timing restrictions can help consumers plan their Leap Day activities to take full advantage of available deals.

For those who are actual Leap Day babies, the array of birthday-related freebies can create a particularly memorable celebration. These individuals often receive more generous offers, such as free dozens of doughnuts from Krispy Kreme or free cake slices from Milk Bar, in addition to any general public promotions that are running simultaneously.

The exclusivity of certain offers based on names (such as the Firehouse Subs promotion for names starting with L, E, A, or P) adds a fun, personalized element to the celebrations. This type of promotion encourages broader participation beyond just Leap Day birthday celebrants while still maintaining an exclusive feel for eligible customers.

As we look toward the next Leap Day in 2028, consumers can expect similar promotional patterns from brands. While specific offers will likely change, the general themes of mobile app exclusivity, Leap Day birthday recognition, and themed pricing are likely to continue. Brands have shown a strong pattern of leveraging this rare calendar event to drive customer engagement and loyalty.

Conclusion

Leap Day 2024 brings an exceptional array of freebies and deals from restaurants, retailers, and entertainment venues across the United States. These offers range from free menu items to significant percentage discounts, with many brands creating themed pricing that references the date February 29. While some promotions are limited to Leap Day birthday celebrants, many are open to all consumers, making this a broad celebration opportunity. Success in taking advantage of these deals requires advance preparation, including mobile app downloads and understanding specific offer requirements. As Leap Day only occurs every four years, these promotions represent a unique seasonal opportunity for consumers to save money while celebrating this rare calendar occurrence.

Sources

1. Leap Year Freebies & Deals

2. Leap Day Freebies & Deals

3. Leap Year Freebies and Deals

4. Leap Day Food Deals

5. Leap Year Specials: Freebies and Discounts

6. Freebies for Leap Day