This week’s freebies and food deals are worth putting on your calendar. October 5–11, 2026 brings Taco Bell’s Duolingo plushie drawing, the return of McDonald’s Monopoly, National Taco Day offers, a $1.31 Halloween pizza drop and free kids’ crafts. Add a few Halloween sticker stops and you have plenty of ways to make the week more fun for less.
We’ve organized the offers by date, with the important details up front: what you get, what you have to buy, whether an app is needed, and which events are limited to certain stores. Free-with-purchase deals and chances to win are not the same as guaranteed freebies.
Checked October 5, 2026. U.S. offers at participating locations. Supplies, account eligibility and local schedules vary; confirm the current offer before traveling or paying.
Two big Tuesday launches to put on your radar
|
TUESDAY, OCT. 6 • 2–3 PM PT / 5–6 PM ET
Taco Bell × Duolingo: a chance to win a Duo plushie
FREE DRAWING • 500 U.S. winners • Not a guaranteed giveaway
Duo is reporting for taco duty! The limited plushie wears a Taco Bell teammate outfit. U.S. fans can enter the one-hour Rewards drawing through the Tuesday Drops hub.
Eligibility: Taco Bell Rewards members in the 50 U.S. states or D.C., 16+; minors need parental permission. Limit one entry per person/email/account. No purchase necessary.
Also available through October 6: eligible Rewards members can obtain a 30-day Super Duolingo trial code, redeemable by November 15. Existing-subscriber and prior-trial restrictions apply; review any renewal terms before activating. The new Duo Habanero sauce comes with a Doritos Locos Taco purchase—it is not a free taco.
See the official collaboration and eligibility terms.
|
|
STARTS TUESDAY, OCT. 6
McDonald’s Monopoly returns October 6
PRIZE PROMOTION • Winning is not guaranteed
McDonald’s Monopoly is back this week. Check the McDonald’s app and official game information for participating products, entry instructions and prize details.
This belongs on the calendar as a new promotion, not a promise of a free meal with every visit. Read the official rules for eligibility and the no-purchase mail-in entry method before playing.
|
Your October 5–11 quick planner
Event times are local unless ET or PT is specified. Tap a day to jump to the details.
- Mon., Oct. 5Love’s free Fanta; Scooter’s sticker with purchase; Noodles $3 off; Chronic Tacos BOGO.
- Tue., Oct. 6Taco Bell × Duolingo drawing, 5–6 PM ET; McDonald’s Monopoly; taco deals and honeygrow BOGO.
- Wed., Oct. 77 Brew sticker sheet, 7 AM–7 PM; Del Taco’s next offer begins; Chronic Tacos buy 2, get 2.
- Thu., Oct. 8Natural Grocers sampling, noon–2 PM; Chronic Tacos $2 off a taco plate.
- Fri., Oct. 9Tombstone $1.31 pizza drop at 2 PM ET; select Barnes & Noble builds begin.
- Sat., Oct. 10JCPenney and Lakeshore free crafts; Michaels kids’ craft; participating Tractor Supply pet events.
- Sun., Oct. 11Last day for this week’s Panera and Shake Shack offers; local LEGO builds; Michaels jar craft requires purchase.
|
Monday, October 5: start here before these offers end
|
MONDAY, OCT. 5 ONLY
Love’s: free 20-ounce Halloween Fanta
FREE DRINK • Love’s Rewards app required
Love’s lists a free 20-ounce Halloween Fanta for October 5. Open the Love’s app, find the offer and have your Rewards barcode ready at checkout. Confirm the qualifying bottle with the store team.
This is Monday’s item, not an all-week drink giveaway.
|
|
MONDAY, OCT. 5 • AFTER 11 AM
Scooter’s Coffee: a spooky sticker with your drink
PURCHASE REQUIRED • Large or extra-large drink
Scooter’s Halloween Monday promotion includes a free sticker with a large or extra-large drink after 11 AM, while supplies last. Delivery orders are excluded.
A fun bonus if you already planned a coffee stop—not a free-drink offer.
|
|
MONDAY–TUESDAY, OCT. 5–6
Noodles & Company: $3 off a regular entrée
PAID FOOD DEAL • Noodles Rewards offer
Apply the Rewards offer for $3 off one regular entrée. Add-ons and extras are excluded. Redeeming this promotion also qualifies for 350 bonus points scheduled for October 8.
Select the reward before checking out; don’t expect the discount to appear on an order placed outside your account.
|
National Taco Day and National Noodle Day deals
Tuesday, October 6 is the main event, but some restaurants are stretching their specials across several days.
|
MONDAY–FRIDAY, OCT. 5–9
Chronic Tacos: five days of app offers
LOYALTY APP • Different offer each day
The announced National Taco Week lineup gives Loyalty members a different reason to open the app:
- Monday: buy one taco, get one free.
- Tuesday: a free taco reward.
- Wednesday: buy two tacos, get two free.
- Thursday: $2 off a taco plate.
- Friday: buy one taco, get one free.
Find the coupon under Offers. Each expires at midnight that day; one offer per member per day. Check the coupon’s eligible items and conditions.
|
|
TUESDAY, OCT. 6 • NEXT OFFER OCT. 7–10
Del Taco: free taco with purchase, then a BOGO
PURCHASE REQUIRED • Del Yeah! Rewards
On October 6, Del Yeah! Rewards members can claim a free taco with any purchase. The All-American Burger Taco is excluded.
From October 7–10, check the app for buy-one-get-one-free Carnitas Big Fat Tacos. These are separate offers with different dates; select the correct reward before ordering.
|
|
TUESDAY, OCT. 6 • DINE-IN
Chuy’s: dress like a taco for a free entrée
COSTUME + SOCIAL POST REQUIRED
Wear a taco costume, take a photo and post it with this required caption: “Posting for a free entrée! #ChuysTacoDay”. Show your server the post to redeem during that visit.
A regular Halloween costume is not the same thing. Chuy’s also offers a $1 crispy or soft ground-beef taco added to an entrée purchase that day.
|
|
OCT. 6–11 FOR REWARDS MEMBERS
Moe’s: $2 tacos, up to three
$2 EACH • Single-use reward • Extras cost more
Moe Rewards members can get up to three single tacos for $2 each from October 6–11. Apply the reward at checkout. Premium proteins, add-ons, taxes and fees are excluded; no combining offers or third-party delivery.
The separate in-store October 6 offer also advertises $2 tacos, limit three; mention it at checkout. The longer date range applies to the member reward.
|
|
TUESDAY, OCT. 6
Laredo Taco Company: BOGO eligible tacos
PURCHASE REQUIRED • Participating locations
Look for buy-one-get-one-free Potato & Egg or Chicken Fajita tacos at participating Laredo Taco Company counters inside 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes.
Check the counter’s availability and serving hours for your chosen filling before ordering.
|
|
TUESDAY, OCT. 6
Baja Fresh: three Chicken Street Tacos for $6
$6 FOOD DEAL • In-store • One offer per person
Participating Baja Fresh restaurants are serving three Chicken Street Tacos for $6. Order in store and ask for the National Taco Day special. Taxes and any extras can increase your final total.
|
|
TUESDAY, OCT. 6
honeygrow: buy one stir-fry, get one free
PURCHASE REQUIRED • honeygrow Rewards
Celebrate National Noodle Day with BOGO stir-fry for honeygrow Rewards members. Join the free program and check the offer before ordering two qualifying meals.
Regional extras: the brand’s Great Nood Hunt runs through October 5 with local social-media clues, and a Nood Party is planned at its UPenn Philadelphia location October 6. These are location-specific activities; check @honeygrow for details, rather than assuming every restaurant has merchandise giveaways.
|
Advertisement
October 7–9: Halloween stickers, samples and a pizza drop
|
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7 • 7 AM–7 PM
7 Brew: Halloween sticker sheet with a qualifying drink
PURCHASE REQUIRED • Medium or large drink
7 Brew’s current website says you can receive one Halloween sticker sheet for each medium or large drink purchased, while supplies last.
The promotion banner lists 7 AM–7 PM. Go to a participating stand; the sticker sheets are not available online. Ask about remaining sheets before buying a drink specifically for the giveaway.
|
|
THURSDAY–SATURDAY, OCT. 8–10 • NOON–2 PM
Natural Grocers: free Autumnfest food sampling
FREE SAMPLES • Availability varies by store
Natural Grocers’ Autumnfest includes food sampling from noon to 2 PM during the October 8–10 event. Check your local store’s participation before making a special trip.
Member discounts and a separate grocery giveaway are additional parts of the promotion—not guaranteed take-home groceries for every visitor.
|
|
FRIDAY, OCT. 9 • 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT
Tombstone Candy Corn Pizza kit: $1.31 shipped
$1.31 PURCHASE • Limited online drop • Contiguous U.S.
Set a reminder for the next $1.31 Candy Corn Pizza kit release. Overnight shipping is included; check applicable tax at checkout. Choose from the available varieties when the sale opens.
Limit one kit per order and household, while supplies last. A pre-drop “Unavailable” message is not a reservation or a guarantee of stock when the release begins.
Our Tombstone pizza drop guide has the full ordering details. This is a low-cost purchase, not a free pizza.
|
More food deals you can use this week
Some of these begin this week; others are ongoing offers that remain useful October 5–11. Rewards and minimum-purchase rules matter.
|
OCTOBER 5–11
Panera: MyPanera Days treats, points and gift-card savings
MEMBERSHIP + QUALIFYING PURCHASE REQUIRED
- Free bakery treat with qualifying delivery: select the reward and order directly through Panera. Delivery minimums vary by café, generally $8–$10; fees apply. Maximum treat discount $8.39.
- Up to 700 bonus points: activate the challenge, then make a qualifying purchase to earn 100 bonus points per day. Do not assume it combines with the bakery reward or other offers.
- 20% off online gift cards/reloads: through October 11; in-café, third-party and bulk purchases are excluded.
Check the terms inside your MyPanera account before paying.
|
|
OCTOBER 5–11
Sonny’s BBQ: free appetizer with a Sonny’s Original
PURCHASE REQUIRED • Rewards offer
Buy a Sonny’s Original and use the applicable Rewards offer for cheese curds or pecan pie egg rolls. This is the October 5–11 Porktoberfest special, not a free standalone meal.
|
|
THROUGH SUNDAY, OCT. 11
Shake Shack: free chicken sandwich with $10 purchase
PURCHASE REQUIRED • Code SCARYGOOD
Add a Chicken Shack or West Coast Chicken plus at least $10 in other qualifying food and drinks, then apply SCARYGOOD.
Use the Shake Shack app, website or an eligible kiosk. Third-party delivery does not qualify. Check exclusions and the final discount before submitting your order.
|
|
ONGOING • REDEEM SUNDAY–THURSDAY
Applebee’s: six free boneless wings with $15 order
PURCHASE REQUIRED • Club Applebee’s weekly code
Join the Season Wing Ticket promotion through Club Applebee’s for a weekly emailed code. It offers six boneless wings with a qualifying $15 online order.
For this guide, the applicable days are October 5–8 and Sunday, October 11 with the next valid weekly code—not Friday or Saturday. Taxes, fees, alcohol and gift cards do not count toward the qualifying spend.
|
|
ONGOING • THROUGH OCT. 14
McAlister’s Deli: a free dessert with an entrée
PURCHASE REQUIRED • Rewards members • Single use
Apply the Rewards offer for one dessert with a qualifying entrée. Kids’ Meals and the $7.99 Value Meal are excluded, along with add-ons and substitutions. No third-party delivery or combining with another offer.
New-member option: the separate Rewards sign-up offer gives an eligible Big Tea, with flavor shots excluded. It expires 30 days after account delivery. Choose the offer that fits your order; do not assume they stack.
|
|
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK • OCT. 4–10
Domino’s: select deliveries may come with a free-pizza surprise
LIMITED LOCAL PROMOTION • Not a guaranteed free pizza
Participating Domino’s stores and fire departments are teaming up for surprise deliveries and smoke-alarm checks. Selected households with working alarms may have their pizza covered.
Do not order expecting a guaranteed free meal. This is a local public-safety promotion, not a nationwide checkout code or a promise that every delivery receives a visit.
|
|
ONGOING • OCTOBER 1–31
BIGGBY: free kids’ drink for children in costume
FREE KIDS’ DRINK • Costume required
Bring the Halloween costume out early: BIGGBY’s fall announcement includes a free kids’ drink for children who visit in costume during October.
Ask your participating shop which kids’ beverages qualify. The announcement does not specify a universal size or age cutoff, so confirm locally.
|
Advertisement
Free things to do this weekend: October 9–11
Reserve limited-capacity activities now. Local session times and age guidance can differ even when the project is the same.
|
SATURDAY, OCT. 10 • 11 AM–NOON
JCPenney Kids Zone: Dalmatian Fireman craft
FREE KIDS’ ACTIVITY • While supplies last
Kids can make a Dalmatian Fireman craft at the October Kids Zone event, with a collectible pin included. Check your local JCPenney’s event listing and plan to stay with your child.
The linked official store listing shows the project and schedule; confirm your own location rather than assuming every store has kits.
|
|
SATURDAY, OCT. 10 • 11 AM–3 PM
Lakeshore Learning: free Castle Creation craft
FREE IN-STORE CRAFT • Supplies and participation vary
Lakeshore’s 2026 calendar lists Castle Creation for October 10, part of its Fantastical Fun event featuring Kwik Stix. It is a hands-on stop for a creative Saturday.
Check your nearest store before heading over. The official event calendar (PDF) lists the 11 AM–3 PM window.
|
|
OCT. 9–11 AT SELECT STORES • SCHEDULES VARY
Barnes & Noble: free Halloween LEGO build
FREE EVENT • Reservation/registration may be required
Participating Barnes & Noble stores have Halloween LEGO mini-build events scheduled across this weekend. There is no single nationwide date or time.
- Search your ZIP code in the store finder.
- Open that store’s events and find its Halloween LEGO build.
- Follow its registration and age instructions; keep your confirmation.
Some sessions are already full. Contact the store about a waitlist rather than assuming walk-ins will receive a kit.
|
|
SATURDAY, OCT. 10 • CHECK YOUR LOCAL SESSION
Michaels: Yarn Wrapped Frame kids’ craft
KIDS’ EVENT • Listed age guidance: 4+
The October kids’ lineup includes a Yarn Wrapped Frame craft. Local event calendars list free sessions from 10 AM–noon; confirm the time, cost and registration shown for your specific Michaels before going.
Use the Michaels events calendar to choose your store. This Saturday activity is separate from Sunday’s purchase-required jar project.
|
|
SATURDAY, OCT. 10 • 10 AM–2 PM AT LISTED STORES
Tractor Supply: Halloween pet-photo events
SELECT LOCATIONS • Confirm local participation
Check Tractor Supply’s participating-store list for a Halloween pet-photo outing. Reports include free photo opportunities and limited bandana/frame extras; confirm what your store is providing before bringing your pet.
Dress-up is a fun option, but use a comfortable pet-safe costume and follow the store’s animal rules. Extras are not guaranteed at every location.
|
|
SUNDAY, OCT. 11 • LOCAL SESSION TIMES
Michaels: make a Ghost in a Jar
JAR PURCHASE REQUIRED • Listed for ages 13+
Buy a jar of your choice, then use the event’s decorating materials to create a little ghost scene. Michaels lists this project for ages 13+.
The jar is not free. Verify the class time and any registration requirements at your store.
|
|
OCT. 10–11 IN BROOKHAVEN • SAN DIEGO OFFERS ALL MONTH
Regional bonus: free pet washes and Kids Free October
LOCATION-SPECIFIC • Read each event’s requirements
Brookhaven, Georgia: the new Pet Supplies Plus grand-opening announcement lists free pet washes October 10–11. Read the store’s official opening announcement for hours and limited giveaway details.
San Diego: Kids Free October includes participating museums and attractions for children 12 and under, generally with a paid adult and the venue’s coupon. Some venues are free for everyone; individual rules control.
|
More reported offers: check your app before making a trip
|
These are worth checking, but the exact live coupon or local terms were not fully visible during our review. Treat the offer in your account as the final word—not a guaranteed nationwide freebie.
- Target, October 6: reports point to a free hot/iced brewed Starbucks coffee or Bullseye cookie at Target Starbucks for Target Circle members. Check your Target Circle Wallet for the actual reward, eligible size, purchase rules and stores before visiting.
- Starbucks, October 5: check for Free Mod Monday, an eligible customization with a drink purchase—not a free drink. Confirm the offer’s discount cap in the app. Starbucks Rewards terms.
- Dutch Bros, October 7: an October sticker drop with drink purchase is being reported. Confirm the start time and stock with your local Dutch Bros.
- Taco Bell, October 5–11: look for the reported Bid on Luxe app game and a $1 Doritos Locos Taco reward requiring a $5 purchase. Only rely on it if the game and reward appear in your account; it is separate from the confirmed Duolingo promotion.
- Grubhub, through October 5: eligible Amazon Prime-linked Grubhub+ accounts may see DEALS20 for $20 off $30. Check that it applies in your Grubhub checkout before ordering; fees and tip may remain.
- KFC, reported through October 11: check whether KFSPEED adds the advertised free bucket with a qualifying $15 order. Confirm the exact bucket and requirements at KFC checkout.
- Long John Silver’s, October: look for the reported BOGO bowl coupon in the Seacret Society app. Check eligible bowls, expiration and usage limits through Long John Silver’s.
- T-Mobile Tuesdays, October 6: open T-Life for that week’s offers if you have an eligible plan. Claim and redemption windows differ; no particular food item is promised here. Check T-Mobile Tuesdays eligibility.
|
|
These are sales, not freebies. Compare the final price and skip anything you would not otherwise buy.
- Walmart fall deals: October 5–11. The retailer’s fall promotion opens October 5. Browse the Walmart deals hub for current stock and prices.
- Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: October 6–7. Member-exclusive offers begin at 12:01 AM PT October 6. A paid Prime membership or eligible trial is needed for those deals. Official Amazon event details.
- Target Circle Deal Days: October 6–7. Free Circle membership unlocks the event; paid Circle 360 members get select early access October 5. New free Circle members joining by October 5 can receive 15% off their first purchase, subject to exclusions. Target’s official announcement.
|
Advertisement
How to make the most of the week without overspending
- Set two reminders: Taco Bell’s one-hour drawing Tuesday at 5 PM ET and Tombstone’s Friday drop at 2 PM ET.
- Open rewards accounts ahead of time: check that the coupon is actually available before you order. A free account does not guarantee every targeted offer.
- Check the real total: a free side with a meal, a BOGO order and a discounted delivery are still purchases. Taxes, fees and tips can change the value.
- Book the free fun first: LEGO sessions and other kids’ activities can fill before the weekend.
Frequently asked questions about this week’s freebies
What can I get without buying a meal?
Start with Love’s October 5 drink offer, eligible free craft events and BIGGBY’s costume offer. Chronic Tacos advertises a free taco reward for Tuesday; read its live coupon. Taco Bell’s plushie promotion is a no-purchase drawing, so entering does not guarantee a prize.
Is Taco Bell giving everyone a free Duolingo plushie?
No. The U.S. promotion is a drawing for 500 winners. Enter during the October 6 window and follow the eligibility rules; simply opening the app does not reserve a plushie.
Are Lowe’s Halloween bags and Target’s punch-kit giveaway this weekend?
Those were the October 3 Lowe’s tote event and October 4 Target punch-kit event. They are not October 10–11 events. Use the dates in this guide instead of an old social-media screenshot.
Where can I find more free activities near me?
Check your library’s event calendar and museum-pass options. For an at-home backup, download our free Halloween coloring bookmarks and use your own printing supplies.
Where are the rest of October’s deals?
Our October 2026 freebies and deals calendar covers later dates. You can also bookmark the Taco Bell Tuesday Drops guide for the recurring app event.
Research checked October 5, 2026. Confirmed sections use brand pages, official event listings and brand-issued announcements; reported or account-specific offers are labeled separately. Offers can change, sell out or vary locally. Cover artwork is illustrative. Freebie Mom does not process restaurant rewards, event reservations or prize entries.
