October is packed with ways to get out, eat well and spend less. Think free kids’ building workshops, Halloween crafts, museum visits, restaurant rewards and a national park day—with a few big shopping sales mixed in.
This October 2026 freebies and deals guide puts the dates, purchase requirements and claim links in one place. Start with the calendar, then tap the offer you want. You’ll find no-purchase activities, freebies with a purchase and paid discounts clearly separated.
Last checked: October 1, 2026. U.S. offers unless noted. Local participation, stock and account eligibility can vary.
October 2026 free events & deals calendar
The graphic is a planning calendar—not a promise that each offer is available only on its pictured date. Signup rewards can be claimed whenever you qualify, and weekly deals repeat. The clickable schedule and details below give the actual dates and restrictions. KFC’s code is marked as an app-check offer below, rather than a checkout-verified deal.
Event times are local. Workshop registration can fill before the event date. Restaurant app offers must appear in your account and apply successfully before you pay.
October 1–4
Start with free family fun
October 5–11
Sales, crafts & a movie night
October 12–18
A build day & food rewards
October 19–25
Crafts & budget-friendly outings
October 26–31
Finish with outdoor fun
Free things to do in October 2026: kids’ events & outings
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 · 9 AM–NOON
Home Depot: free Witch Candy Box workshop
FREE ACTIVITY · Register with your store
Start spooky season with a hands-on build! Home Depot’s October kids’ workshop is a Witch Candy Box. Pick a participating store on the workshop page and register. Bring your child and plan for adult help with the project.
Kits are available while supplies last, so arriving earlier in the session is a good idea. A registration is not a reason to assume late-arrival stock.
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SATURDAY–SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3–4
Bank of America Museums on Us
FREE GENERAL ADMISSION · Eligible cardholders only
Eligible Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders can enjoy free general admission at participating museums during the first full weekend of the month. Bring your eligible card and photo ID.
The benefit is for the cardholder—not automatically the whole family. Special exhibitions and ticketed events may be excluded. Check the museum list, opening hours and any reservation requirement before leaving.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 · 11 AM–NOON; CONFIRM LOCALLY
JCPenney Kids Zone: Dalmatian Fireman
FREE KIDS’ CRAFT · While supplies last
October’s Kids Zone project is a Dalmatian Fireman. The scheduled session is 11 AM to noon, with free craft materials while available. Confirm the setup with your local JCPenney; the event is short, so don’t plan a late-afternoon visit.
Parents may receive a separate shopping coupon. You do not need to turn a free craft outing into a shopping trip.
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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 · SELECT YOUR STORE’S SESSION
Lowe’s: free Firefighting Plane build
FREE KIDS’ WORKSHOP · Registration required
Lowe’s lists a Firefighting Plane project for its October kids’ workshop. Open the registration page, choose your location and reserve a session. Follow the time on your confirmation; the national event listing shows a 10 AM start.
Space and kits are limited. Reserve ahead and bring your child to build with you instead of assuming there will be a spare take-home kit.
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OCTOBER 4, 10 & 24 · CHECK YOUR STORE’S SCHEDULE
Michaels: Halloween crafts and Pumpkin Fest
FREE KIDS’ CRAFTS + A SEPARATE PURCHASE-REQUIRED EVENT
- October 10: Lil’ Witching Hours Yarn Wrapped Frame kids’ craft.
- October 24, 10 AM–noon: Chenille Stem Ghost or Spider, a free in-store craft listed for ages 4+.
- October 4: Pumpkin Fest. This one requires buying a craft pumpkin; Michaels supplies the decorating materials. It is not a completely free pumpkin giveaway.
Confirm your store’s hours, supplies and age guidance. See the ghost-or-spider project and Pumpkin Fest description for the specific requirements.
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27
National parks: an October fee-free entrance day
U.S. CITIZENS & RESIDENTS · Entrance fees only
October 27, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, is a 2026 National Park Service entrance-fee-free day for U.S. citizens and residents. Pick a participating park, check its identification and entry requirements, and plan your route.
This waives the applicable entrance fee—not camping, tours, parking charged separately, concessions or reservation fees. Timed-entry or other advance reservations can still be required.
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PRINT WHENEVER YOU LIKE
A free Halloween activity you can do at home
FREE PDF · Your paper, ink & supplies
No driving or signup needed for this one: download our 24 Halloween coloring bookmarks, print them and let the kids color their favorites. They work for a quiet afternoon, classroom activity or Halloween reading challenge.
The printable is free; printing and craft supplies are your own.
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OCTOBER 6–7, 13–14, 20–21 & 27–28
AMC: 50% off tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
PAID DISCOUNT · Free AMC Stubs Insider membership available
AMC Stubs members can save 50% off the adult evening base ticket price on eligible Tuesday and Wednesday showtimes. You can join the free Insider tier; a paid membership is not required for this benefit.
Taxes, convenience fees, premium-format surcharges and excluded events are not automatically half price. Sign in and check your actual ticket total before purchasing.
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October 2026 restaurant deals & limited-time food offers
Start here for offers with an announced deadline or special date. A free item with a purchase still requires paying for the qualifying order.
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THROUGH OCTOBER 4, 2026
McDonald’s: free medium fries with $1+ purchase
FREE WITH PURCHASE · App + Rewards · Once per week
Redeem the free medium fries app offer with a qualifying $1 or more purchase. McDonald’s currently lists it through October 4, once per week, at participating restaurants; tax and McDelivery are excluded.
A separate $2 breakfast sandwich app offer also runs through October 4. Don’t assume these extend through the whole month or can be combined.
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THROUGH OCTOBER 5 · CODE: DEALS20
Grubhub: $20 off a $30+ restaurant order
PAID ORDER · Active Grubhub+ through Amazon Prime required
Amazon’s official early-deals announcement lists $20 off a qualifying Grubhub order of $30 or more with DEALS20. Link your eligible Prime benefit and check that your Grubhub+ membership is active through Amazon.
This is not a $20 cash gift. The minimum applies before tax, tip and fees; those can increase your total. The promotion is limited to one redemption per user and eligible restaurant orders. Verify the discount in checkout before paying.
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MONDAYS, OCTOBER 16 & OCTOBER 30–31
Dunkin’: October points bonuses & a $6 meal
REWARDS POINTS · Not free food on those dates
- October 5, 12, 19 & 26: 4X beverage points with an activated Mobile Monday offer and app order ahead; once per Monday.
- October 16: 3X food points; single use.
- October 30–31: 3X points on half-dozen or dozen donuts and 25- or 50-count MUNCHKINS; activate the offer. Excludes fancies.
- Through October 31: Boosted Status members can activate 100 bonus points after 1 PM; limit once per day.
Dunkin’ also advertises a $6 meal with a Bacon, Egg & Cheese sandwich, Hash Browns and medium hot or iced coffee. No substitutions; participation varies. Check account terms and don’t assume bonuses stack.
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OCTOBER 1–14, 2026
McAlister’s: free dessert with an eligible entrée
FREE WITH PURCHASE · Rewards · Single use
McAlister’s Rewards members can apply an offer for one free dessert with an eligible entrée in the same transaction. The terms exclude Kids Meals and the $7.99 Value Meal.
Apply the reward before checking out. Add-ons, tax and fees are extra, and the offer cannot be combined with other offers or third-party delivery.
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REPORTED THROUGH OCTOBER 11 · CONFIRM IN YOUR ACCOUNT
KFC: check the KFSPEED free-bucket offer
APP-CHECK OFFER · $15+ qualifying purchase
The current KFSPEED promotion is reported to offer an eligible free bucket with a $15+ digital purchase through a KFC Rewards account, with a reported October 11 end date and one-use limit.
Check before planning a purchase: We could not independently complete a logged-in offer check. Enter the code on KFC’s official site or app and read the bucket choices, location eligibility and expiration shown there. Only proceed if the promised discount appears; this is not a guaranteed offer for every account.
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Weekly food deals to repeat throughout October
These are recurring offers currently listed by the brands. Confirm your local app offer on the day; availability is not guaranteed for every account or restaurant.
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THURSDAYS: OCTOBER 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Buffalo Wild Wings: BOGO boneless Thursdays
BUY ONE, GET ONE · Participating locations
Buy a qualifying order of boneless wings and get one of equal or lesser value free. The official Thursday terms cover participating dine-in locations and eligible takeout/delivery through the BWW website or app—not third-party delivery.
Size exclusions, taxes and fees apply. Limit one; not combinable with other offers. Check your selected location before ordering.
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WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS · CHECK YOUR APP
Wendy’s: Wednesday nuggets & Friday fries
FREE WITH $5 PURCHASE · Rewards offers
Wednesdays—October 7, 14, 21 & 28: free 6-piece nuggets with a $5 qualifying purchase. Fridays—October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: free any-size fries with a $5 qualifying purchase.
Wendy’s official page also lists free small chili with a $5 purchase. Check the app’s current expiration, exclusions and selected restaurant, then apply one eligible offer before paying. Don’t assume offers stack.
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OCTOBER 7, 14, 21 & 28
Smashburger: kids eat free on Wednesdays
KIDS 12 & UNDER · Purchase an adult meal · In-restaurant only
Get a free Kids Meal with the purchase of an adult meal that includes an entrée, side and drink. Buying just an adult burger does not meet the published meal requirement.
For children 12 and under at participating locations, in-restaurant only. Not valid online, in the app or through third-party delivery. Taxes are excluded and offers cannot be combined.
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OCTOBER 4, 11, 18 & 25
MOD Pizza: kids eat free on Sundays
KIDS 12 & UNDER · Buy a Regular-size pizza or salad
Buy a Regular-size pizza or salad and get one Kids Meal free for a child 12 or younger. Each qualifying adult item covers one kids’ meal.
MOD’s current terms allow the Sunday offer in-restaurant, on its website and in its app at participating locations. Third-party delivery and phone orders are excluded. Alternative crusts can cost extra; make sure the offer applies before paying.
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OCTOBER 4, 11, 18 & 25 · CODE: CHICKENSUNDAY
Shake Shack: free Chicken Shack on Sundays
FREE WITH $10 OF OTHER QUALIFYING FOOD OR DRINK
Add a Chicken Shack or Chicken Shack Lettuce Wrap plus at least $10 of other qualifying food or drinks. Enter CHICKENSUNDAY in all caps.
Use the Shack app, website or in-store kiosk at participating U.S. locations. Excludes drive-thru, third-party delivery and certain special locations. Limit one free sandwich, up to $9.99; the free sandwich does not count toward the $10 minimum. Taxes, fees and paid extras remain separate.
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MONDAYS: OCTOBER 5, 12, 19 & 26
Love’s: check the free Monday app item
APP FREEBIE · Item changes · Participating locations
Love Your Mondays gives app users a free featured product at participating Love’s locations. Open the Love’s Rewards app that Monday, add the available promotion and show your barcode at checkout.
The specific October products were not yet listed on the public schedule when checked. This is a reminder to check the weekly freebie, not a promise of the same snack or drink every Monday.
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Free food signup rewards you can use in October
These welcome offers are for eligible new members, not a fresh freebie for existing members each month. The dates on the planning graphic are suggestions—not exclusive redemption days.
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NEW MEMBERS · NOT EXCLUSIVE TO OCTOBER 9
Jimmy John’s: a sandwich after your first qualifying order
FIRST $5+ PURCHASE REQUIRED · Reward may take 24 hours
Join Jimmy John’s Rewards and make a first qualifying purchase of $5 or more, excluding taxes, fees and discounts. The free sandwich reward can take up to 24 hours to reach your account, so plan it for a later visit.
Choose from the sandwich options in your reward and use it before its expiration. The official welcome-offer terms explain the qualifying purchase and reward delivery.
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NEW POTBELLY PERKS MEMBERS
Potbelly: free Original-size sandwich
AFTER YOUR FIRST $5+ PURCHASE
Join Potbelly Perks and make your first qualifying purchase of at least $5 to earn a free Original-size sandwich. The sandwich is a reward earned after that purchase—not a free first order.
Check your account for the reward, eligible choices and redemption deadline.
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NEW REWARDS MEMBERS
Cinnabon: four Original BonBites
FREE WITH ANY PURCHASE · Use within 14 days
New members can receive a four-count Original BonBites reward with any purchase. Apply it at checkout at a participating location and use it within 14 days of issue.
Chocolate and Caramel Pecan BonBites are excluded. No combining with other offers; online service fees and applicable taxes can still apply. See Cinnabon’s signup reward terms.
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NEW REWARDS MEMBERS
Krispy Kreme: a free doughnut with your next purchase
PURCHASE REQUIRED · Eligible reward choices
Krispy Kreme currently advertises a free doughnut with your next purchase when you join its U.S. Rewards program. Sign up, check the reward in your account and follow its redemption terms.
This is an ongoing welcome offer—not a special free-doughnut day on October 18.
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NEW MCALISTER’S REWARDS MEMBERS
McAlister’s: a free Big Tea for joining
SIGNUP FREEBIE · Reward valid 30 days
Choose an eligible Big Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea or listed tea blend with the new-member reward. Flavor shots are excluded.
The reward lasts 30 days from delivery to your account. Apply it at checkout; participating locations only. Online/app service fees and other applicable charges can still apply, so in-store redemption is worth checking.
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NEW QDOBA REWARDS MEMBERS
QDOBA: free queso & chips
ENTRÉE PURCHASE REQUIRED · Reward valid 60 days
Sign up for QDOBA Rewards to receive free queso and chips with an entrée purchase. The official FAQ limits this signup perk to new members and gives 60 days to use it.
Join before ordering, sign in or scan your rewards account, and select the reward in checkout.
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NEW TACO BELL REWARDS MEMBERS
Taco Bell: new-member welcome item
APP REDEMPTION · Use within 14 days
Taco Bell offers a new-member welcome reward for a free item from its predetermined choices. Redeem once in the app at a participating U.S. restaurant, while supplies last, within 14 days of issuance.
Use the choices shown in your own account; the signup reward does not make every item on the menu free. Tuesday Drops are a separate, limited-availability promotion.
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Halloween coupon books & low-cost treats
Buying the book is a paid deal; the individual coupons cover the specified food. Check the fine print before planning treat bags or snack stops.
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AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME · WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Wendy’s Boo! Books: five Frosty coupons for $1
PAID COUPON BOOK · U.S. offer
Each $1 Boo! Book contains five free Jr. Frosty coupons plus a separate coupon for a $1.99 Kids’ Meal with purchase. A portion supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
The coupons are redeemable in-restaurant through December 31, 2026. Follow each coupon’s limits; buying a book and redeeming every coupon at once are not the same thing.
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SELECT RESTAURANTS · ASK LOCALLY
McDonald’s Halloween Treats Books
$2 BOOK · 12 coupons for free food in the featured pack
Our featured McDonald’s Halloween Treats Pack has three hamburger coupons, three vanilla-cone coupons, three apple-slice coupons and three apple-juice-or-milk coupons. The food covered by the coupons is free; the book costs $2 at the location featured in our article.
Books are not available at every McDonald’s. Ask about stock, price, child-age rules, redemption dates and per-visit limits before buying. Do not assume older books’ terms apply to your current pack.
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These are shopping discounts or membership benefits, not automatic free products. Set a spending limit and compare the actual checkout price.
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OCTOBER 5–11
Walmart fall deals
SHOPPING SALE · Products and prices vary
Walmart’s fall event announcement advertises October 5–11. Browse the official event page for current products and any early-access details. A sale badge alone does not guarantee the lowest available price.
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OCTOBER 6–7
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days
PRIME-MEMBER SHOPPING EVENT
Prime Big Deal Days runs October 6–7, 2026. The event begins at 12:01 AM Pacific October 6 and ends at 11:59 PM Pacific October 7. Prime membership is required for the member-exclusive deals.
If you start a trial, read the renewal terms first; a paid membership is not necessary just to read this guide.
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OCTOBER 6–7
Target Circle Deal Days
FREE TARGET CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP · Shopping required
Target Circle Deal Days runs October 6–7, with advertised savings up to 40% on selected products. Sign in to Target Circle and check the specific item’s discount and stock.
For in-store demos and possible giveaways, use Target’s separate store-events page. A sale event is not a promise of a free sample box at every store.
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NEW REWARDS MEMBERS · NOT AN OCTOBER 23-ONLY SALE
Bath & Body Works: $10 off $30 welcome coupon
PAID SHOPPING DISCOUNT · Allow up to 72 hours
New rewards members receive a $10 off $30 welcome offer. It may take up to 72 hours to appear in your wallet and is valid for 30 days, according to the official welcome-offer FAQ.
Join ahead of your shopping trip and read the coupon’s exclusions. This discount does not make a $30 order free.
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TUESDAYS: OCTOBER 6, 13, 20 & 27
T-Mobile Tuesdays: a weekly check-in
ELIGIBLE T-LIFE CUSTOMERS · Offers change weekly
Eligible customers can check T-Life each Tuesday for that week’s deals and perks. Save offers before their individual claim deadlines, then follow each redemption window.
Sweepstakes are separate from guaranteed customer rewards. Visit our T-Mobile Tuesdays guide for the current write-up and official entry links; upcoming weeks’ prizes should not be assumed in advance.
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BIRTHDAY REWARD · SIGN UP AHEAD
October birthday? Check Yankee Candle’s gift
FREE ELIGIBLE CANDLE · Online shipping may cost extra
Fragrance Family Rewards offers an eligible birthday candle that can be redeemed online or in store. Add your real birthday and follow the program’s email and account requirements.
Online delivery is not automatically free. Check shipping charges or redeem at a store. Joining on your birthday does not guarantee an immediate reward.
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How to make this October deals calendar work for you
- Reserve the limited-space activities now. Start with Home Depot and Lowe’s, then confirm the local craft sessions you want.
- Join rewards programs before the trip. Jimmy John’s may take 24 hours after your qualifying purchase; Bath & Body Works allows up to 72 hours for its welcome coupon.
- Read “free with purchase” literally. Meet the eligible minimum, choose the qualifying item and check the discount before paying. Taxes, fees and extras can remain.
- Use offers only if they save on something you actually want. Driving across town or buying an unwanted meal can cost more than the freebie is worth.
October freebies & deals: quick answers
What can families do for free in October?
Start with the Home Depot and Lowe’s kids’ workshops, JCPenney Kids Zone, selected Michaels kids’ crafts and our printable bookmarks. Museums on Us and the national park day have eligibility restrictions; printing at home uses your own supplies.
Are the calendar’s food offers completely free?
Some are signup or app freebies, but many require a paid purchase. The cards label those conditions. BOGO means buying the first item, and bonus points are earned toward future rewards rather than free food that day.
Are all October 31 Halloween restaurant deals announced?
Not yet. This guide includes the dated offers and current programs we could document as of October 1. Do not assume a chain’s Halloween special from a previous year will return with the same price, costume requirement or hours.
Does every location participate?
No. Check the event’s store list or choose your restaurant in the app. Confirm hours and stock before making a special trip, and let the current offer in your account control any purchase decision.
Keep planning: Our weekly restaurant deals guide is another place to check shorter-lived food offers.
Research checked October 1, 2026. Buttons link to official brand/program pages or Freebie Mom’s related guides. Additional event references: Home Depot’s official October workshop listing, Museums on Us weekend schedule and JCPenney’s host-venue event listing. The KFC code is separately labeled as reported because a logged-in checkout verification was unavailable. No purchases, reward redemptions or registrations were submitted during research. Offers can change or sell out.
