Spring has officially sprung! After an unusually cold winter, we’re celebrating spring a bit more this year — along with a handful of restaurants.
Here’s what to know about the spring equinox and how to get free ice cream, discounted drinks and more in Texas.
First day of spring 2025: What is the spring equinox?
This year, the first day of astronomical spring (also called the spring equinox) is Thursday, March 20, 2025.
There are two equinoxes and two solstices each year. Equinoxes occur during the fall and spring and are called the autumnal and vernal equinoxes.
They mark the first day of spring and the first day of fall each year. Solstices occur during the winter and summer and mark the shortest and longest days of the year, respectively. The summer solstice is considered the first day of summer and the winter solstice is considered the first day of winter.
Equinoxes are the only two times of the year when the earth’s axis isn’t tilted toward or away from the sun, which results in a “nearly” equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
“At the equator, the sun is directly overhead at noon on these two equinoxes,” NWS says. “The ‘nearly’ equal hours of day and night are due to refraction of sunlight or a bending of the light’s rays that causes the sun to appear above the horizon when the actual position of the sun is below the horizon.”
Spring has sprung! See what Farmer’s Almanac predicts for Texas in 2025
Baskin-Robbins: Discounted smoothies, Mangonada on March 20
Baskin-Robbins customers can celebrate the arrival of spring on Thursday with discounted smoothies, milkshakes, and limited-time Mangonadas.
The company is offering customers a small smoothie or Mangonada for $5, a medium for $6, and a large for $7.
Click here to find a Baskin-Robbins near you.
Dairy Queen: March 20 is Free Cone Day
Dairy Queen’s annual Free Cone Day is Thursday and participating locations across the country are offering customers one free small vanilla cone.
The cones are available while supplies last, limited to one per customer, and free cones are not available for delivery through the DQ Rewards mobile app.
This year, Dairy Queen is partnering with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for Free Cone Day. Choose to dip your cone in one of Dairy Queen’s dipped coatings for $1 and the fast food chain will donate the dollar to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Click here to find a Dairy Queen near you.
Dunkin’ Donuts: Get 3x points in Rewards app when you order refreshers March 20
Dunkin’ Rewards members can earn 3x points on Dunkin’ Refreshers on March 20 in honor of the first day of spring, including the Raspberry Watermelon Dunkin’ Refresher.
Rewards Members must activate the offer prior to placing the order and bonus points are eligible on Dunkin’ Refresher items only.
Click here to find a Dunkin’ Donuts near you.
Jamba Juice: $1 iced beverages on March 20
Jamba has unveiled its new “Over Ice” line of iced drinks, and to celebrate the new beverages and also celebrate the first day of spring, the company is offering customers a sweet deal.
Jamba is offering customers $1 iced beverages on March 20 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time at participating locations. The offer is only valid in-stores for a small iced beverage in the Mangomorphosis or Dragonberry Blitz flavors.
Click here to find a Jamba Juice near you.
Rita’s Italian Ice: Free Italian ice on March 20
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is continuing its annual tradition of giving away free Italian ice on the first day of spring this year.
Customers who visit a Rita’s location on March 20 will receive a free 6-ounce Italian ice in the available flavor of their choice, the company said, including the chain’s newest flavor: Skittles Italian Ice.
Additionally, customers who use the Rita’s Ice App can enter for a chance to win free Italian ice for a year by entering the promo code “FDOS25” under the “offers” tab.
Click here to find a Rita’s Italian Ice near you.
— USA TODAY contributed to this report.
