Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026: Date, Free Cup and How to Get One

If you live for the first sip of a Peppermint Mocha and plan your November around holiday drops, Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026 is the date to circle. Across the US and Canada, the red cup has become the unofficial start of the holiday season, part coffee run, part collector’s hunt. The tradition goes back to 1997, when Starbucks introduced its first holiday cups in Seattle and a small team of employees designed them in about two months.

The free reusable cup giveaway started in 2018 and has run every year since in both countries. This year it lands on Tuesday, November 17, less than two weeks after the holiday menu returned on November 5, and on the same day as the new Winter Wonderland merch collection. Holiday cups now appear in more than 40,000 locations worldwide, so expect the cups to go fast.

When Is Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026?

Red Cup Day 2026 is on Tuesday, November 17. The giveaway runs for one day only at participating US stores, while supplies last.

Why It’s on a Tuesday This Year

For the past several years, Red Cup Day always fell on a Thursday, about a week after the holiday menu launched. This year Starbucks moved it to a Tuesday and announced it earlier than usual.

Starbucks hasn’t said why it changed the day. If Thursday is your usual Starbucks day, set a reminder so you don’t miss it.

Red Cup Day Dates by Year

Year	Date	Day
2022	November 17	Thursday
2023	November 16	Thursday
2024	November 14	Thursday
2025	November 13	Thursday
2026	November 17	Tuesday

What Is Starbucks Red Cup Day?

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ one-day holiday giveaway. Order a handcrafted holiday drink and you get a free, limited-edition reusable red cup with a new design every year.

It’s one of the busiest days of the year for Starbucks, and in most years the cups are gone within hours.

How the Holiday Cup Tradition Started

• 1997: Starbucks rolled out its first holiday cups in roughly 1,400 stores.
• Today: Each year’s holiday cups take nearly two years of design work and show up in more than 40,000 stores worldwide.
• Every November: The holiday to-go cups arrive with the seasonal menu and stay through the holidays.

When the Free Reusable Cup Giveaway Began

• 2018: Starbucks started giving away a collectible reusable red cup for one day each holiday season.
• 2022: The giveaway marked the 25th anniversary of the holiday cups.
• 2025: Starbucks said it gave away more cups than in previous seasons and added extra baristas for the day.

What Does the 2026 Red Cup Look Like?

Starbucks hasn’t revealed the 2026 red cup design yet. Last year the design was shown just before Red Cup Day, so expect a first look in the days leading up to November 17.

The holiday to-go cups are already out. This year’s hot cups feature holiday trees and bows, and the cold cup has evergreens and red bows. For the first time, Starbucks is also offering limited-edition holiday pup cups, while supplies last.

Past Red Cup Designs

• 2022: A white ornament design with a message celebrating 25 years of holiday cups, made with 50% recycled content.
• 2024: A cheerful bauble inspired by ripe coffee cherries.
• 2025: A hand-drawn illustration by Starbucks designer Yvonne Chan, inspired by the feeling of stepping into a warm Starbucks from the cold. It was made with 95% recycled material.

How to Get Your Free Red Cup

It only takes one drink. The challenge is getting there before your store runs out.

Order a Qualifying Holiday Drink

• Any holiday drink: Order a handcrafted holiday drink on November 17 to get the free cup.
• Any size, any style: Hot, iced, and blended drinks all count, in any size.
• One cup per drink: The cup comes with each qualifying beverage, while supplies last at your store.

Ways to Order

• In store: Order at the counter as usual.
• Drive-thru: Drive-thru orders qualify.
• Starbucks app: Mobile orders for pickup count too.
• Delivery: Orders through DoorDash and Uber Eats are eligible.

Tips to Grab One Before They Run Out

• Go early: Stores get a limited number of cups, and many run out by mid-morning.
• Order ahead: A mobile order placed before you leave helps you skip the line.
• Avoid peak hours: The morning commute and the lunch rush are the busiest times.
• Have a backup store: If your usual spot is out, a store a few miles away may still have cups.

Which Drinks Qualify for Red Cup Day 2026?

Starbucks hasn’t posted the full 2026 list yet. Based on past years, any handcrafted drink from the holiday menu should count.

New Holiday Drinks for 2026

• Tiramisu Velvet Latte: Espresso, milk, and vanilla syrup topped with velvet mascarpone cold foam and cocoa. Available hot or iced.
• Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew: Cold brew with vanilla syrup, mascarpone cold foam, and a dusting of cocoa.
• Iced Caramel Brulée Cream Chai: Chai with caramel brulée sauce and caramel brulée bits.
• Iced Sugar Cookie Cream Matcha: Matcha with sugar cookie cream cold foam and red and green sprinkles.
• Apple Pomegranate Refresher: Apple flavor with pomegranate pearls. The Snowy Apple version is made with coconut milk.

Returning Holiday Favorites

• Peppermint Mocha: The classic mix of espresso, mocha, and peppermint.
• Caramel Brulée Latte: Espresso and steamed milk with caramel brulée sauce.
• Sugar Cookie Latte: Blonde espresso, milk, and sugar cookie syrup with festive sprinkles.
• Gingerbread Cream Chai: Chai and milk topped with gingerbread cold foam.

What Doesn’t Count

Last year, plain brewed coffee and tea didn’t qualify. Expect the same rule this year, but check the official terms on the day before you order.

Other Starbucks Holiday Dates to Know

Red Cup Day is one of several holiday drops this season.

Date	What’s Happening
November 5	Holiday drinks, food, and most seasonal merch arrive
November 10	Mystery Bearista Glass Cold Cups go on sale
November 17	Red Cup Day and the Winter Wonderland merch collection
December 1	The original Bearista Glass Cold Cup returns at select stores

Bearista Cups and the Winter Wonderland Collection

The mystery Bearista boxes come sealed, so you won’t know which character you got until you open it. The original Bearista returns on December 1. It’s a 20-ounce glass cup shaped like a teddy bear in a green knit beanie, and it sells for $29.95.

Is Red Cup Day Happening in Canada?

Starbucks Canada hasn’t announced its 2026 date yet. In 2025, Canada held Red Cup Day on the same day as the US, and orders placed in café, at the drive-thru, in the app, or through DoorDash, Skip, and Uber Eats all qualified.

Keep an eye on the Starbucks Canada newsroom and app for this year’s confirmation.

Reuse Your Red Cup and Save

The red cup is meant to be used, not just kept on a shelf. Bring it back clean, or bring any personal cup, and you’ll get 10 cents off your drink.

That’s not a big discount, but it adds up over a season of coffee runs. It also cuts down on paper cups.

Make Your Favorite Holiday Drink at Home

Missed the cups, or just want a Peppermint Mocha without the line? You can make a café-style version at home in about five minutes, and your red cup is the perfect thing to pour it into.

What You’ll Need

• 2 shots of espresso, or ½ cup of strong brewed coffee
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of chocolate sauce
• ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract, or 1 tablespoon of peppermint syrup
• 1 cup of milk
• Whipped cream and crushed candy cane for topping

No espresso machine? A moka pot, AeroPress, or extra-strong drip coffee works well.

How to Make It

1. Brew your espresso or strong coffee.
2. Stir in the chocolate sauce and peppermint while the coffee is hot so they melt in.
3. Heat and froth the milk on the stove or with a frother.
4. Pour the milk into the coffee and stir.
5. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane.

Variation: Tiramisu-Style Latte

Whip 2 tablespoons of mascarpone with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream and a splash of vanilla until it’s thick and foamy. Spoon it over an iced or hot vanilla latte and dust it with cocoa.

Tips for Getting It Right

• Start with good beans: A medium or dark roast with chocolatey notes pairs well with peppermint and mocha. You’ll find plenty of options on Lovers Coffee.
• Grind fresh: Freshly ground coffee gives you a richer, smoother base.
• Go easy on the peppermint: A little goes a long way. Add more after tasting.

If you want more coffee information, recipes, and seasonal coffee trends, make sure to check our blog daily and explore the Lovers.coffee marketplace for everything you need to make your moments even sweeter.