National Coffee Day 2026: Best Freebies, Deals, and Local Events

Bakery Lorraine is launching cold foam for National Coffee Day. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Celebrate National Coffee Day: Events, Deals, and How to Get Your Free Cup

National Coffee Day is just around the corner on September 29. This year, the holiday lands on a Tuesday, giving us the perfect excuse to skip the morning slump and support our favorite local and independent coffee shops.

Whether you like your java piping hot or ice-cold, there are plenty of exciting local events and nationwide chain deals to help you fuel up.

** Update: Verena Street Coffee/Carl’s Jr **

Verena Street Coffee is celebrating National Coffee Day with 25% off all bagged coffee and 15% off single-cup coffee, available from September 9 through midnight September 29. Coffee lovers can save across the range online, including Pumpkin Smasher, a seasonal fall coffee available for a limited time. (Verena Street Coffee, 2026)

Carl’s Jr. is offering 25% off sips, shakes and sides for My Rewards members in the app. If you’re looking for an afternoon pick me up or a caffeinated sweet treat, try Carl’s Jr.’s iced coffee line up including Black, Vanilla, Mocha, and for a limited time, Churro.
A new coffee to try, the Churro Iced Coffee: Bold Iced coffee brewed from 100% Arabica medium roast beans poured over ice for a crisp, refreshing taste, and sweetened with Churro syrup. (Carl’s Jr, 2026)

Local Spotlights & Events

  • Bakery Lorraine: To celebrate the big day, this fan-favorite bakery is officially launching cold foam on Tuesday. Available in vanilla and marshmallow flavors, you can add it to any espresso or matcha order. (Bakery Lorraine, 2026)
  • The St. Anthony Hotel (“The Art of Coffee” at Esencia): Kick off the celebrations early on Saturday, September 26, from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Reservations required. (The St. Anthony Hotel, 2026)
    • 12:00 PM: Welcome coffee cart with tableside pours and latte art.
    • Interactive Session: James Mireles of Pulp Coffee Roasters will lead a workshop on coffee origins, roasting techniques, and flavor profiles.
    • Brunch: Concludes with a four-course brunch curated by two-time James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Leo Davila, paired with specialty coffees.

National Coffee Day Deals & Freebies

Looking to score a freebie/deal on September 29? Here’s a breakdown of what major chains are offering (KSAT, 2026)

BrandThe Deal
7 BrewExclusive Texas-themed sticker for every guest. Try their seasonal pumpkin blondie, salted pumpkin macchiato, or pumpkin house blend.
Circle KFree medium hot or iced coffee via the Circle K app or Inner Circle Reward (no purchase required).
Dunkin’Free medium hot or iced coffee with a purchase for Dunkin’ Rewards members.
Dutch BrosTwo free car coasters with the purchase of two or more drinks (while supplies last).
Einstein Bros. BagelsFree hot or iced coffee with an in-app purchase for rewards members at participating locations.
Frutta BowlsFree 16-ounce cold brew with any purchase of $9.99 or more using code COFFEE25 (in-store and online).
Grubhub$7 off $20 Starbucks delivery orders for Grubhub+ members (valid midnight to 11:55 p.m. local time).
La MadeleineAny regular-sized coffee free with a food purchase for Bonjour Rewards members.
PilotFree hot or iced coffee via the myRewards Plus app.
PJ’s CoffeeFree 16-ounce cold brew when ordered through the PJ’s Coffee app.
Scooter’s CoffeeFree medium brewed coffee via the mobile app from Sept. 27–29 (limit one per day). First 100 customers on Sept. 29 get a free sticker with any purchase.
Shipley Do-NutsFree donut with any coffee purchase for loyalty members (plus, check out their new cold brew donut launching Sept. 26!).
Smoothie KingShow your Starbucks Rewards stars on Sept. 29 (open to 10:30 a.m.) for a free 20-ounce coffee high protein almond mocha or pumpkin smoothie.

** Pro Tip: Make sure to download the respective apps ahead of time, as many of these fantastic deals require rewards membership or app activation to redeem. Check their websites for deal details.

What is your go-to coffee order to celebrate the big day?

The Ultimate Guide to National Coffee Day Deals: Where to Score the Best Brews

Whataburger brews up a storm on National Coffee Day with a fresh batch of free coffee.

National Coffee Day, celebrated on September 29, honors one of the world’s favorite beverages. This day highlights coffee’s rich history and cultural significance. Coffee enthusiasts celebrate by indulging in their favorite brews, discovering new flavors, or exploring local coffee shops. Many businesses offer special promotions, such as free cups or discounts, inviting everyone to partake in the caffeinated joy. Beyond just a drink, coffee fosters community and conversation, making it the perfect reason to connect with friends and loved ones over a warm cup. Cheers to coffee!

To mark the occasion, Whataburger and Krak Boba in California have special deals for their loyal customers. See information below for details on each.

Whataburger

SAN ANTONIO — Calling all coffee connoisseurs and those jonesin’ for java, Whataburger is brewing up a storm for National Coffee Day. From daybreak to dusk on Sunday September 29, 6a.m. to 6p.m., every Guest gets to sip on a free 16-ounce Iced Coffee or a cozy 12-ounce Hot Coffee – no strings attached, no purchase necessary. Just pure caffeinated bliss at any of the 1,050+ Whataburger’s across 16 states. (Whataburger, 2024)

Dive into the bold world of Whataburger’s Iced Coffee, crafted with a premium blend of 100% Arabica beans from Colombia, Honduras and Nicaragua. It’s got that dark-roasted aroma that’ll wake up your senses and a vibrant finish with nutty, smoky, toasted vibes. You can make it yours by jazzing it up with Vanilla, Caramel or Mocha flavors. Or keep it old-school and sip on a hot cup of black coffee to kick start your day. Whether you’re chillin’ in a late summer heatwave or cozying up in autumn’s embrace, Whataburger’s got your back with a coffee “just like you like it.”

To lock in your freebie on September 29, visit a nearby Whataburger dining room, breeze through the drive-thru, or get techy with it online or the Whataburger App for curbside pickup or delivery. (Heads up, this deal’s not available on third-party delivery apps.)

If you’re not already in the Whataburger Rewards fam, download the app, sign up, and start racking up those perks. Who doesn’t love a good freebie with their coffee, right?

Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to celebrate National Coffee Day with Whataburger – where every day is a good day for a great cup of joe. 

Krak Boba

Krak Boba, the iconic boba brand out of Southern California, is celebrating National Coffee Day on Sunday, September 29, with an exclusive buy one, get one free deal for their handcrafted coffee drinks. With 15 locations across the United States, this is the perfect chance for guests to grab a friend and head to their nearest Krak Boba to score two coffee creations for the price of one. (Innovision Marketing Group, 2024) 

Krak Boba offers an array of unique coffee drinks tailored to each guest’s personal taste. On National Coffee Day, guests can indulge in flavored coffee drinks like Taro Coffee, Matcha Coffee and Crème Brûlée Coffee, each featuring Krak Boba’s signature coffee topped with taro, matcha or crème brûlée. For those seeking a classic experience, there is Krak Coffee — a strong, aromatic coffee with a nutty and rich finish — or the Frap Star, which combines the signature coffee blended with caramel for a truly delectable drink. 

Krak Boba is all about pushing the boundaries of what boba can be, inspiring customers to ‘Krak Into It’ and ‘Slay the Day’ with every sip. This National Coffee Day, Krak Boba invites guests to head to their nearest location and gear up for whatever life brings them with a delicious, caffeinated drink. At Krak Boba, all drinks are handcrafted and taste-tested to perfection before making it to the menu.

This offer is valid only for Krak Circle Loyalty members on 9/29/24 for in-app and in-store purchases. There is a limit of four drinks purchased with four free drinks per transaction. For more information about Krak Boba, including store locations and hours, visit Krak Boba or follow on Instagram. 

Photo: Krak Boba, used with permission.