4th of July Freebies (+ Free Patriotic Party Printables)

June 22, 2020

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It’s been almost 250 years since America’s 13 colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. Americans traditionally commemorate the day with fireworks, parades and, of course, good food. To help you mark the patriotic occasion, here’s a comprehensive list of the restaurants and retailers offering deals on food and other items.

If you can’t celebrate with public festivities this Independence Day, check out these printable activities for throwing an exciting bash at home and on a budget.

Skip to the M&M’s flag platter printable or the food printables based on the favorite snacks and sweet treats of a few of America’s founding leaders: Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Dolley Madison. Or, choose one of the freebie categories below.

Restaurants | Retailers | Military Personnel

*Due to COVID-19 closures, some restaurants may not sponsor their typical freebies and discounts. However, be sure to take advantage of takeout and delivery deals!

4th of July Food Deals

Why not put yourself in a patriotic mood with these deals on classic summer foods? If you’d rather grill your main meal at home, consider going out for an after-barbecue dessert. There is a wide range of 4th of July restaurant specials to choose from. Just make sure to call ahead to the restaurants in your city since deals can vary from location to location.

Boston Market: The rotisserie kitchen typically offers a family meal in the first few days of July. It includes one rotisserie chicken, a half rack of ribs, three sides, four cornbread slices and an apple pie for $34.99.
Chili’s: Purchase large domestic draft beers for $4 and Southern Back Porch ‘Ritas for $5 all day on July 4 and July 5.
Cici’s: In past years, the pizza chain has offered a buy one, get one free pizza buffet deal and a buy one, get one for $4 pizza buffet deal. Check back closer to July 4 for this year’s deal.
Fogo de Chão: Every July 4 at the Brazilian steakhouse children eat free for lunch or dinner with the purchase of an adult Churrasco meal.
KFC: Last year, the chicken chain made delivery free through Grubhub from July 4–7. KFC typically also gives away free menu items with the purchase of chicken meals on July 6, which is National Fried Chicken Day.
Houlihan’s: Last year, the restaurant offered free mushrooms, shrimp or apple pie with the purchase of an entree if you joined the email club. Houlihan’s also typically offers a $5 patriotic-themed drink.
McCormick & Schmick’s: Enjoy $1 oysters and shrimp and an extended happy hour on July 4.
P.F. Chang’s: Receive a $4 entree with the purchase of another entree at P.F. Chang’s.
TGI Fridays: Last year, the chain offered half racks of ribs for $7.99 and full racks for $12.99. In past years, TGI Fridays has also sponsored deals on burgers. Check back closer to the holiday for this year’s deal.
The Cheesecake Factory: Last year, the restaurant gave away free slices of its OREO Dream Extreme Cheesecake to customers who ordered at least $17.76 worth of food on DoorDash. Check back closer to July 4 for this year’s deal.
White Castle: Save on sliders for your patriotic bash! Last year, White Castle offered $5 off its Crave Case if you ordered through Grubhub. Stay tuned for this year’s deal.

4th of July Specials from Retailers

There are also plenty of non-food deals this July 4, whether you want to remodel your outdoor living space or find a new outdoor jacket to wear to your neighborhood fireworks show.

Hobby Lobby: Receive 40% off patriotic apparel and accessories, crafts, decorations and other party supplies.
Home Depot: Search discounts on outdoor ladders, grills and tool kits through Home Depot’s Red White and Blue Savings promotion. Also, check out these Home Depot coupons for additional savings.
Pottery Barn: Enjoy significant markdowns on American flag-themed pillows, napkins, table cloths and other party decorations and receive free shipping with the promo code REFRESH.
REI: Every year in the days leading up to July 4, the outdoor lifestyle store offers discounts on its camping and swimming products. Check out these REI Coupons for even more savings all summer long.
Wayfair: Furnish your home or decorate your patio with Wayfair’s annual 4th of July sale featuring discounts of up to 70%. For additional deals year-round, use these Wayfair coupons.

4th of July Freebies for Veterans and Military Personnel

This almost 250-year-old nation couldn’t have been built without the hard work of active duty military personnel and veterans. Check out these discounts offered on Independence Day, as well as military and veteran discounts available all year.

Academy Sports + Outdoors: Around July 4, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, active and retired military personnel, first responders and family members receive 10% off certain products.
Logan’s Roadhouse: Military personnel and veterans can order a free American Roadhouse Meal between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on July 4.
Miller’s Ale House: On July 4, military personnel receive a 50% discount, which is not valid on alcoholic beverages or daily specials.
Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub: Active-duty military personnel and veterans receive a free appetizer on July 4 with the purchase of any entree.
Outback Steakhouse: All military personnel, police, firefighters and first responders receive 20% off on July 4 and the days leading up to it. (At other times of the year, this discount is 10%.)
Quaker Steak & Lube: Some of the chain’s locations offer discounts of up to 20% for military personnel, veterans and first responders on July 4.
Tractor Supply Co.: The retail chain offers a 15% discount on July 4 to military personnel, veterans and their immediate family members.
Walgreens: Every year around July 4, the store offers 20% off all regularly priced items to military personnel, veterans and military families with the use of the store rewards card. (There’s also a 30% discount on eligible store brand items.) Check out these Walgreens coupons for additional savings.

Perhaps you’d rather spend the Independence Day holiday at home. Check out these printables for throwing a low-budget (and low-effort) party, from a decoration printable to spice up your dessert table to printables based on the favorite foods of America’s founders.

How to Throw a Low-Budget 4th of July Party

Every successful Independence Day party consists of two main elements: the fireworks and the food. You’ve probably figured out where you’ll watch the fireworks in your neighborhood, but have you thought about what festive food you might serve?

Preparing a feast for your party can get expensive. Sure, you can go out and buy an elaborately decorated cake or pie from your local bakery, but those costs can quickly add up. Why not make your own cookies or cupcakes and decorate your own patriotic platter for your dessert table?

Free M&M’S Flag Platter Printable

Dessert might be the last thing that your guests eat at your party, but it’s often the first thing that they see when they arrive. Set up a colorful dessert table before your party and use this decoration printable as the centerpiece.

Arrange red, white and blue M&M’s in a semicircle flag pattern following the template. Then, place cookies or cupcakes around your flag!

Download the free M&M’s flag platter printable.

You can also spend a ton of money on a catering service to present your food festively and beautifully. Or, you can take a DIY approach and achieve the same result. Check out these free printables to help you throw a party based on the foods that America’s founders popularized in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Elevate your party and give your guests a free history lesson, whether you serve the Apple Pan Dowdy that Abigail Adams used to make, French fries that Thomas Jefferson loved or ice cream that Dolley Madison popularized.

Abigail Adams: Apple Pan Dowdy Party Printable

First Lady Abigail Adams popularized this apple pie-like dessert, and her husband, America’s second president, loved it. This recipe comes from the book “Capitol Hill Cooks.” Have a go at this baked apple dessert and show off your dessert with the printable display card.

Thomas Jefferson: French Fry Party Printable

Thomas Jefferson has received credit for bringing French fries to America. He ate the fried treats while serving as the American minister to France from 1784 to 1789, according to National Geographic.

Make your own French fries at home and serve them to your guests in this Thomas Jefferson-themed french fry container.

Download the French fry party printable.

Dolley Madison: Ice Cream Party Printable

First Lady Dolley Madison popularized ice cream in the White House (and in America) in the early 1800s. At the time, there were no freezers, so ice cream was made with large blocks of ice, according to PBS.

Attach these Dolley Madison-themed labels to your ice cream cones, whether you’re serving Madison’s favorite ice cream flavor — oyster — or a more conventional flavor.

Download the ice cream cone label.

Other Low-Budget 4th of July Party Tips

Encourage others to bring their own festive items: You can provide the venue and some of the food. Encourage others to bring their own red, white and blue hats, necklaces and other party favors.
Go outside: You’ll need a lot fewer decorations outside than inside.
Host a potluck: Maybe you’re in charge of the dessert and appetizers while everyone else brings the main course.
Stick to one themed patriotic drink: That way you don’t need to spend money on many different types of alcohol.

Celebrating Independence Day doesn’t have to be expensive. Enjoy these 4th of July freebies at your favorite restaurant or celebrate at home with these free printables. If you find yourself needing an extra red, white and blue hat, sparklers or a festive banner, check out these Target coupons.

Sources: National Geographic | PBS | Capitol Hill Cooks

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