Rita’s free Italian Ice returns March 20 for the first day of spring, and guests can try the new Mystery PEEPS Italian Ice flavor at no cost.
Spring officially arrives on March 20, and one frozen dessert chain is celebrating the seasonal change the sweetest way possible: free Italian Ice for everyone.
To mark the first day of spring, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is bringing back its annual tradition of giving away 6-ounce Rita’s free Italian Ice cups at participating locations nationwide — with no purchase required and no strings attached. That means you can simply walk into a participating Rita’s shop on March 20 and grab a refreshing Italian Ice completely free. Even better, this year, guests can sample a brand-new Mystery PEEPS Italian Ice flavor as part of the celebration. According to company announcements, the giveaway takes place at hundreds of Rita’s locations across the United States, continuing a spring tradition that has drawn large crowds for years.
Rita’s Free Italian Ice for the First Day of Spring
Rita’s annual First Day of Spring Giveaway has become one of the brand’s biggest events of the year.
On March 20, guests who visit participating locations will receive:
- One free 6-ounce Italian Ice
- No purchase required
- Available while supplies last
The promotion has been running for decades and serves as the unofficial kickoff to Rita’s spring and summer season. According to reporting from outlets including Forbes and PhillyVoice, the company typically serves hundreds of thousands of cups of Rita’s free Italian Ice during the one-day event as fans celebrate the arrival of warmer weather. In other words, if you’ve ever wanted to see a line of people happily waiting for a brain freeze, March 20 is your day.
Meet the Mystery PEEPS Italian Ice
Alongside the giveaway, Rita’s is debuting a limited-time Mystery PEEPS Italian Ice flavor inspired by the iconic marshmallow candy brand Peeps. Here’s the twist: the flavor is being kept completely secret.
The new Italian Ice will be served as white-colored ice, and guests are encouraged to guess the mystery flavor as part of a nationwide contest running from March 20 through March 29. The flavor reportedly features the signature marshmallow sweetness Peeps fans recognize, but with an additional mystery ingredient mixed in.
Guests who correctly guess the flavor online will be entered for a chance to win prizes, including:
- Free Rita’s Ice for a year
- Exclusive Rita’s + Peeps swag packs
So yes, that Rita’s free Italian Ice might also double as a flavor detective challenge.
A Sweet Spring Tradition
Rita’s began the First Day of Spring giveaway decades ago as a way to celebrate warmer weather and reconnect with customers after winter closures in many regions. The brand itself dates back to 1984, when the first Rita’s stand opened in Pennsylvania, serving freshly made Italian Ice made on-site each day.
Today, the chain rotates more than 75 flavors of Italian Ice throughout the season alongside frozen custard, gelati, and other desserts. Events like the March 20 giveaway have become a major annual moment for the brand, and a great excuse for fans to kick off spring with a brain freeze.
How to Get Your Rita’s Free Italian Ice
Getting the freebie is refreshingly simple:
- Visit a participating Rita’s location on March 20
- Walk up to the counter
- Ask for your free 6-ounce Italian Ice
That’s it: no coupons, no apps, and no purchase required. Of course, if you want to live dangerously, you could also grab the Mystery PEEPS flavor and start trying to crack the secret ingredient. Nothing says “spring is here” quite like free dessert and a marshmallow-flavored mystery.
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
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