You can thank the advent of national food holidays for the dozens of times throughout the year when you can enjoy free and cheap food. I mean, who doesn’t love getting free or cheap food and drink? Yes, please!
For example, when my daughters were younger, my husband had a tradition with them. It always occurred on the first day of spring.
In case you don’t know that the first day of spring is a March food holiday for Rita’s Italian Ice stores. It’s when they give out free water or Italian ice to people.
So, what was the tradition? He would have our daughters invite their friends to pile into our minivan so they could drive around to all of Rita’s locations near where we lived.
At that time we lived in a Philadelphia suburb. Rita’s was founded in a Philadelphia suburb. Therefore, they were guaranteed to hit at least three to four locations in a single afternoon.
Sadly, there are no Rita’s locations in Maine (or New Hampshire for that matter). So, we haven’t been able to keep up that tradition as empty nesters. In fact, you’d have to drive to Massachusetts to enjoy free Rita’s on the first day of spring.
Monthly guide to national food holidays
Even without Rita’s nearby, there are plenty of national food holidays that Mainers can enjoy. Some of these free food days are related to a specific food, such as National Coffee Day in September. On the other hand, other free and cheap food days are tied into actual national celebrations, such as Earth Day or Veterans Day.
So, to help you partake of as much free and cheap food and drink as possible throughout the year, I’ve put together this month-by-month guide to national food holidays. It includes links to offers at national chains in Maine as well as local deals.
I’ve included as many free food days as I can. However, when I come across a really great (and cheap) deal for a national food holiday, I’ll link to it, too.
Finally, if I don’t have details for current free and cheap food offers, I’ll share the details of what places offered last year. That’s so you can get a sense of what you might be getting this year.
January Food Holidays
Here are the national food holidays in January worth noting.
January 4
National Spaghetti Day
January 15
January 19
January 27
National Chocolate Cake Day
February Food Holidays
Here are the notable national food holidays in February.
Note: on leap years (next one in 2024), you can expect an additional free food day on February 29 to celebrate this once, every four-year event.
Finally, here are Super Bowl freebies.
February 1
Girl Scout cookie sales start in Maine
February 6
February 9
End of February/Beginning of March
IHOP National Pancake Day
Date changes each year. In 2023 it is February 28, 2023. Check out this article on free pancakes at IHOP this year for all the details
March Food Holidays
Here are the national food holidays in March worth noting.
March 9
National Meatball Day
March 14
National Pi (or Pie) Day
March 20
National Ravioli Day
First Day of Spring
DQ, aka Dairy Queen, is once again hosting its popular Free Cone Day on the first day of spring, March 20. You’ll get a free small vanilla cone for all customers. No purchase required.
The fine print: “Free small vanilla cone at participating US non-mall locations. All day, limit one per person. While supplies last. May not be valid on delivery or mobile orders.”
Where are the DQ locations in Southern Maine? As of this writing:
- Biddeford
- Kennebunk
- Kittery
- Old Orchard Beach
- Saco
- Sanford
- South Portland
- Wells
- Westbrook
- Windham
April Food Holidays
Here are the national food holidays in April worth noting.
April 11
National Cheese Fondue Day
April 22
Earth Day
April 26
National Pretzel Day
May Food Holidays
Here are the few notable national food holidays in May.
May 5
Cinco de Mayo
May 16
National Barbecue (or BBQ) Day
June Food Holidays
Here are the national food holidays in June worth noting.
First Friday in June
National Doughnut Day aka National Donut Day
This past year I found free donut offers at Cumberland Farms and Dunkin.
Also, expect deals at The Holy Donut in Portland, Scarborough and Arundel.
June 10
National Iced Tea Day
July Food Holidays
Here are the notable national food holidays in July.
Third Wednesday in July
National Hot Dog Day
Third Sunday in July
National Ice Cream Day
You can rely on Cumberland Farms to offer something delicious.
August Food Holidays
Here are the national food holidays in August worth noting.
August 4
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
August 8
National Frozen Custard Day
August 20
National Lemonade Day
August 24
National Waffle Day
September Food Holidays
Here are the national food holidays in September worth noting. September may be the month with the most free and cheap food days on the calendar.
September 18
National Cheeseburger Day
September 19
National Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 20
National Queso Day
September 25
National Lobster Day
The Maine Lobster Marketing Collective created the National Lobster Day holiday in 2014.
September 26
National Pancake Day
September 29
National Coffee Day
Cumberland Farms, Dunkin, Aroma Joe’s and many local coffee shops should have great deals on your morning cup of Joe.
October Food Holidays
Here are the notable national food holidays in October.
October 4
National Taco Day
October 13
National M&Ms Day
October 17
National Pasta Day
November Food Holidays
Here are the national food holidays in November worth noting.
November 3
National Sandwich Day
November 6
National Taco Day
December Food Holidays
Here are the national food holidays in December.
December 4
National Cookie Day
One year, the Portland International Jetport was giving away free cookies to travelers in the terminal.
December 8
National Brownie Day