Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026: Date, Free Cup and Bearista Dates
Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026 is Tuesday, November 17. On that day, Starbucks gives a free reusable holiday cup with the purchase of an eligible holiday drink at participating stores, while supplies last. The holiday menu itself starts earlier, on November 5.
This page is about the cup promotion and the Bearista cup dates. For the drinks, see our Starbucks holiday menu guide, and for regular prices see the Starbucks menu with prices.
When is Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026?
Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026 is on Tuesday, November 17. Reports from news outlets that cite Starbucks agree on this date. Last year it was Thursday, November 13, 2025, so the date moves each year.
| Date (2026) | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, November 5 | Holiday drinks, food and most holiday merchandise arrive | Announced |
| Tuesday, November 10 | Mystery Bearista Glass Cold Cups go on sale in surprise boxes | Announced |
| Tuesday, November 17 | Red Cup Day: free reusable holiday cup with an eligible drink; Winter Wonderland drinkware collection | Announced |
| Tuesday, December 1 | Original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns at select stores | Announced |
How do you get the free Starbucks red cup?
To get the free cup, buy an eligible holiday drink at a participating Starbucks on November 17. Starbucks says supplies are limited, so the cup is given while they last. Reports say you can order in the store, at the drive-thru, through mobile pickup or through delivery apps.
- Pick a handcrafted holiday drink from the seasonal menu.
- Order on November 17 at a participating store, or by mobile order.
- Ask for your free cup if it is not offered, and check it comes with your drink.
Starbucks has not published a full list of eligible 2026 drinks in the sources we found. Reports describe it as a seasonal or handcrafted holiday beverage. Check the app or ask a barista before you order.
Do you need Starbucks Rewards for Red Cup Day?
None of the 2026 reports we found say you must be a Rewards member to get the free cup. You can order in the app for convenience, and paying in the app can help you skip lines. Rewards details can change, so confirm in the app.
In earlier years, Rewards members were also offered bonus stars for bringing the cup back. That was reported for 2022 and 2024, and it is not confirmed for 2026. Using any reusable cup at Starbucks has been reported to give a 10 cent discount, per a 2026 report.
What was included in 2025? (last year, for comparison)
In 2025, Red Cup Day was November 13, and the free cup was a grande (16 ounce) reusable cup made with 95 percent recycled material. Any size of an eligible handcrafted holiday drink qualified, hot, iced or blended. Starbucks Christmas Blend brewed coffee was not part of it.
This is last year’s rule, not a 2026 promise. Starbucks could change the size, the material or the drinks list. The 2026 cup size is not confirmed yet.
What does the 2026 red cup look like?
We did not find an official description of the 2026 free reusable cup design when we checked. We will not describe it or guess. Starbucks shared its 2025 design with a hand-drawn illustration by one of its designers, so a reveal may come close to the date.
Do not confuse the free cup with the Winter Wonderland collection that starts November 17. That is paid drinkware described as icy blue and iridescent, per one report. It is separate from the free cup.
Bearista cup dates
Two Bearista dates are announced for 2026, and both are paid items. On November 10, mystery Bearista Glass Cold Cups go on sale in boxes, so you do not know the design until you open it. On December 1, the original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns at select stores.
These cups are collectible items, and they sold out quickly in past years. They are not the free Red Cup Day cup. Starbucks has not given prices in the sources we found, so check the app.
Is the free cup worth it?
The free cup is worth it if you already planned to buy a holiday drink. A consumer-savings writer advises against spending extra only to get the cup. The cup can also be reused for later orders, which is where the small 10 cent discount comes in, so it pays off slowly over many visits.
Tips for Red Cup Day
- Go early or schedule a mobile pickup. Mornings are busy and lines can be long.
- Call or check the app first. Not all stores are the same, and supplies are limited.
- Only buy a drink you already want. A free cup is not a deal if you spend extra just to get it.
- Check store hours. See Starbucks hours for typical opening times, and Starbucks Thanksgiving hours for the week after.
If you are comparing seasonal drinks and cups, you may also like the Dunkin’ menu, the Dutch Bros menu and the McDonald’s menu, where new holiday drinks launch on November 3.
Frequently asked questions
When is Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026?
Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026 is Tuesday, November 17. The holiday menu starts earlier, on November 5. Last year’s event was on November 13, 2025.
How do I get a free Starbucks red cup?
Buy an eligible holiday drink at a participating Starbucks on November 17, and you get a free reusable holiday cup while supplies last. You can order in store, at the drive-thru or by mobile pickup, per 2026 reports. Check the app for the list of eligible drinks.
Do you need to be a Starbucks Rewards member for the free cup?
The 2026 reports we found do not say Rewards membership is required. Confirm in the app. Bonus stars for returning the cup were reported in past years only.
What drinks qualify for Red Cup Day?
Eligible drinks are handcrafted holiday or seasonal beverages, but Starbucks has not shown a full 2026 list in the sources we found. In 2025, hot, iced and blended holiday drinks qualified in any size, and Christmas Blend brewed coffee did not. Ask a barista or check the app.
What time does Starbucks Red Cup Day start?
No national start time for Red Cup Day was announced. Cups are given when stores are open, while supplies last. Check your store’s hours on the app.
What are the 2026 Bearista cup dates?
Mystery Bearista Glass Cold Cups go on sale Tuesday, November 10, and the original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns Tuesday, December 1 at select stores. Both are paid cups and not the free Red Cup Day cup. Prices were not published in the sources we found.
What does the 2026 Starbucks holiday cup look like?
The design of the 2026 free reusable cup was not confirmed in the sources we found. Starbucks revealed the 2025 design shortly before that year’s event, so an announcement may come soon. The Winter Wonderland drinkware is a separate paid collection.
Can I get the red cup on delivery or the drive-thru?
Yes, according to a 2026 report, drive-thru, mobile pickup and delivery orders count. Supplies are limited, so ordering early gives the best chance. Participation can vary by store.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
