Starbucks is bringing back its viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup on Dec. 1, and a new Surprise Box Edition with mystery designs hits U.S. coffeehouses first, on Nov. 10.
The bear that broke the internet last holiday season is coming back, and this time it’s bringing friends.
Starbucks announced Monday, Oct. 26, that its original Bearista Glass Cold Cup will return to select U.S. coffeehouses on Dec. 1.
Before that, a new Glass Bearista Cold Cup Surprise Box Edition, with mystery designs inside, arrives on Nov. 10.
Both will be in limited quantities, while supplies last, according to Starbucks.
What is the Bearista Surprise Box Edition?
It’s a blind box. Each box holds a mystery Bearista glass cold cup, so you won’t know which design you got until you open it, Parade reported.
Starbucks calls it “the next generation of glass cold cup Bearistas.” The company hasn’t shown the new designs yet and says “more details” are coming soon.
Here’s what’s confirmed so far:
When: Tuesday, Nov. 10
Where: U.S. Starbucks coffeehouses
How many: limited quantities, while supplies last
Price: not announced yet
When does the original Bearista cup come back?
Tuesday, Dec. 1, at select coffeehouses, Starbucks said. It’s the same bear-shaped glass cup wearing the brand’s signature green hat.
Starbucks hasn’t said which stores will get it, so check with your local coffeehouse before you line up.
Why is the Bearista cup such a big deal?
Because it sold out almost instantly. The original Glass Bearista Cold Cup launched during the holidays last year, went viral and sold out in less than a day, according to Starbucks.
Starbucks has since called that launch “an inflection point” for its merchandise business. NBC News covered the frenzy when the first cups hit stores in early November 2025.
Since then, the company has leaned into collectible drops, with collaborations including Peanuts, Hello Kitty, Miffy and Roller Rabbit, according to Starbucks.
The Pink Bearista Glass Cold Cup, a Pink Drink-inspired version released this summer, mostly sold out by 7 a.m. across North America on launch day, the company said. PNP covered that drop on July 9.
What has Starbucks said about the Bearista?
Plenty. In a post about its merchandise business, Starbucks said the cup’s success went beyond sales.
“Customers didn’t just buy it, they shared it, celebrated it and made it part of the broader cultural conversation,” the company wrote.
Starbucks said its Pink Vibes collection also beat expectations on its launch day this year.
Will the Bearista cup sell out again?
Probably fast. Both drops are limited, and Starbucks says both are available only while supplies last.
A few tips if you’re hunting:
Go early. The Pink Bearista was mostly gone by 7 a.m. on its launch day.
Call ahead for the Dec. 1 cup, since only select stores will have it.
Watch the app and Starbucks’ newsroom for the “more details” the company promised about the mystery boxes.
Be careful with resellers. Viral cups often show up online at a markup, so make sure you know what you’re buying.
If you can’t wait, Aldi’s $4.99 bear-shaped glass sippers look a lot like the Bearista, as PNP reported Oct. 17.
Blind boxes are everywhere this year, too. Disney’s newest collectibles lean heavily on mystery boxes, PNP reported Sept. 22, and the Bearista Surprise Box puts Starbucks in the same game.
What else is coming to Starbucks for the holidays?
The Bearista cups are part of Starbucks’ holiday drinkware lineup, which lands in coffeehouses in November, according to the company.
The holiday menu starts Thursday, Nov. 5, as PNP reported Oct. 13. That puts the mystery Bearista boxes five days after the first holiday drinks.
Starbucks also said earlier this year that its online Starbucks Shop, which started with Rewards members, will open to all customers ahead of the holiday season.
The bear started a craze last year. Now Starbucks is betting a box full of mystery bears can do it again.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Starbucks (Oct. 26, 2026), the Surprise Box Edition and the original cup’s return
Starbucks (2026), the original Bearista’s sellout, the Pink Bearista and Starbucks Shop
Parade (Oct. 26, 2026), the mystery-box details
Pirates & Princesses (July 9, Sept. 22, Oct. 13 and Oct. 17, 2026), the Pink Bearista, Disney’s mystery collectibles, the holiday menu and Aldi’s bear sippers
NBC News on YouTube (Nov. 6, 2025), the original Bearista frenzy
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