Chicagos First Day Of Spring Freebies Ice Cream Treats And Seasonal Deals

The first day of spring, March 20, 2025, brings numerous free food deals and promotional offers from popular chains across Chicago. While many of these offers are available nationwide, several Chicago-area locations are participating in these annual traditions. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the first day of spring freebies available in Chicago, focusing on ice cream treats and other seasonal deals.

National First Day of Spring Freebies Available in Chicago:

Dairy Queen Free Cone Day: Dairy Queen offers a free small vanilla soft-serve cone at participating non-mall locations on March 20, 2025. This offer is valid all day in-store but not on delivery or mobile orders. In the Chicago area, customers can visit locations in Glenview, Naperville, Schaumburg, and at Navy Pier to take advantage of this offer. The tradition began as a way for founders to thank customers for their support during their first year of business. Customers can find a list of participating Dairy Queen locations through the official store locator.

Rita's Italian Ice Free Ice Day: Rita's Italian Ice is offering a free six-ounce cup of Italian ice at their nearly 600 locations across the country on March 20, 2025. This annual tradition has been running for over 25 years. In Chicago, customers can visit participating Rita's locations to enjoy this free treat. Rita's is also debuting a new flavor, Skittles Italian Ice, and offering app users the chance to win free water ice for a year by entering promo code "FDOS25" in the app by March 23. The company's President & CEO Linda Chadwick noted that this tradition has been "more than just a tradition, it's a moment of pure joy and connection that marks the start of a new season with a refreshing cup of Rita's happiness."

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day: Ben & Jerry's is hosting its annual Free Cone Day on March 20, 2025, with several Chicago-area locations participating. Each customer is eligible for a free scoop of ice cream, and customers are allowed to go through the line as many times as they would like. The ice cream chain's annual Free Cone Day started in 1979 "as a way for the founders to thank their customers for their support during their first year of business."

In Naperville, the store will partner with the Alive Center, offering customers the option to donate $2 and receive their free ice cream in a waffle cone instead. Schaumburg will partner with Gigi's Playhouse, offering the same donation option. Both locations will have "guest appearances and celebrity scoopers," including popular TikTokers Cassandra Bowman and Charles Hojnacki. The stores' owners confirmed that "100% of all money raised will go directly to the non-profit organizations."

Chicago-Specific Spring Freebies and Activities:

Navy Pier Events: Chicago's Navy Pier is hosting spring break activities from March 24-28, which includes interactive workshops, creative activities, and family fun. While not directly related to first day of spring freebies, these events offer additional seasonal entertainment options for Chicago residents. Navy Pier will also have a participating Ben & Jerry's location for Free Cone Day. Events include dance, music, art, attractions like Coca-Cola's Pop-A-Shot, Spring into BINGO at Reunion, nature-themed exhibits at the Chicago Children's Museum, and performances at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Free Museum Days: Spring break presents an opportunity to explore Chicago's world-class museums, especially with free admission days. The Art Institute of Chicago offers free admission for kids under 14 every day, making this iconic museum a must-see for families. The Adler Planetarium offers free admission every Wednesday from 4 p.m. These free admission days provide an excellent opportunity for families to enjoy educational and cultural experiences without the cost of admission.

Additional First Day of Spring Offers:

While not Chicago-specific, these national offers may also be available at participating locations in the Chicago area:

Insomnia Cookies: Insomnia Rewards members can get Ice Cream In A Cup (two scoops of ice cream) for only $3 on March 20.

Jamba Juice: Get a small 16 oz. Mangomorphosis or Dragonberry Blitz for $1 from 2 pm to 7 pm on March 20.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: Get three free Original Glazed doughnuts when you buy any dozen on March 20.

Moore County, NC: The Pinecone Pathways Program in Moore County, NC kicks off on the first day of spring, though this is not relevant to Chicago residents.

How to Find and Participate in These Offers:

1. For Dairy Queen locations in Chicago, customers can visit the official Dairy Queen website to find participating stores.
2. Rita's Italian Ice has a location finder on their website for customers to find participating Chicago locations.
3. Ben & Jerry's provides a full list of participating locations on their website.
4. For museum free days, customers should check the specific museum websites for detailed information about hours and any potential restrictions.

Conclusion

The provided source material is insufficient to produce a 2000-word article. Below is a factual summary based on available data.

The first day of spring 2025 offers numerous free treats and deals for Chicago residents and visitors. From ice cream cones at Dairy Queen, Rita's Italian Ice, and Ben & Jerry's to free museum admission days, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season without spending money. Chicagoans can enjoy free vanilla soft-serve cones at Dairy Queen locations, free Italian ice at Rita's, and free ice cream scoops at Ben & Jerry's. Additionally, Navy Pier offers spring break activities, and museums like the Art Institute of Chicago and Adler Planetarium provide free admission opportunities. By taking advantage of these annual traditions, Chicagoans can welcome spring with delicious free treats and enjoyable activities.

Sources

1. Drugstore Divas - Rita's Free Italian Ice Today Only
2. Forbes - First Day Of Spring Freebies And Deals
3. Fox 32 Chicago - Chicago Spring Break Activities
4. NBC Chicago - Free Cone Day How To Get Your Free Ice Cream From Ben & Jerry's This Week
5. People - Dairy Queen Free Cone Day Is Back
6. CBS News - Today Is Spring Free Rita's Day 2025