Starbucks’ free reusable red cup comes back Tuesday, Nov. 17, with a holiday drink. The holiday menu, with a new Tiramisu Velvet Latte, starts Nov. 5.
Mark your calendar, cup collectors. Starbucks Red Cup Day is coming back, and it’s a little later than last year.
Red Cup Day 2026 is Tuesday, Nov. 17. Buy a handcrafted holiday drink that day, and you’ll get a free collectible reusable red cup, while supplies last.
Starbucks hasn’t shown this year’s cup design yet. The company told USA Today that details are coming closer to the date.
The red cups run out fast every year, so it pays to go early.
Starbucks has been doing holiday cups since 1997, and the Peppermint Mocha has been on the holiday menu since 2002. Red Cup Day turns that tradition into a one-day giveaway.
When does the Starbucks holiday menu come out?
Thursday, Nov. 5. That’s when the holiday drinks, food and merchandise land in stores, almost two weeks before Red Cup Day.
The big new drink is the Tiramisu Velvet Latte, which comes hot or iced. Starbucks says it’s inspired by the classic Italian dessert. There’s also a Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew for people who’d rather skip the latte.
Two new Refreshers are joining, too:
Apple Pomegranate Refresher
Snowy Apple Pomegranate Refresher, made with coconut milk
The returning favorites include the Peppermint Mocha, the Caramel Brulee Latte, the Sugar Cookie Latte and the Gingerbread Chai.
What new holiday food is at Starbucks?
The new savory pick is a Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese. The Turkey & Stuffing Sandwich is back with a new recipe, and Fast Company reports a limited-edition Bearista Cake Pop.
The bakery case gets its usual holiday regulars:
Cranberry Bliss Bar
Snowman Cookie
Sugar Plum Cheese Danish
Is the Bearista cup coming back?
Yes, and Starbucks is spreading it out this time. The original Bearista glass cold cup returns to select stores Dec. 1, according to the company’s merchandise schedule.
Before that, Starbucks has a mystery version. The Glass Bearista Cold Cup Surprise Box Edition arrives Nov. 10. Each box has a cup inside you can’t see until you open it, and quantities are limited.
The rest of the holiday merchandise rolls out in waves:
Nov. 5: a Pike Place edition of the Holiday Village collection, the Bearista collection of drinkware and plush keychains, and Peppermint Mocha cups and tumblers
Nov. 17: the Winter Wonderland collection, including a quilted light-blue cold cup and shimmery bottles and tumblers
What happened with the Bearista cup last year?
It turned into a frenzy. The bear-shaped glass cup went on sale Nov. 6, 2025, for $29.95 and sold out almost right away. Fans lined up before dawn, some as early as 3:45 a.m., and there were reports of customers fighting over them.
Resale prices went wild, too. Listings on eBay reached $350 within days.
Starbucks apologized at the time “for the disappointment this may have caused” and said the excitement beat even its biggest expectations.
How did Red Cup Day work last year?
Last year, the holiday menu launched Nov. 6, 2025, and Red Cup Day followed a week later, on Nov. 13. That cup was made with 95% recycled material.
It was available at participating stores while supplies lasted, including drive-thru, app and delivery orders, and Starbucks Rewards members earned double stars. Brewed Christmas Blend coffee didn’t count as a qualifying drink.
Starbucks hasn’t said whether this year’s rules match. For now, the safe bet is a handcrafted holiday drink, a participating store and an early start on Nov. 17.
Handcrafted usually means a drink the barista makes for you, like a latte, a cold brew or a Refresher, as opposed to a cup of drip coffee. Licensed Starbucks counters inside places like grocery stores and airports don’t always join in on company promotions, so a regular Starbucks store is your best bet.
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:
USA Today, via Yahoo (Oct. 26, 2026), the Red Cup Day date and holiday menu
Fast Company (Oct. 26, 2026), the new drinks, food and the Bearista Cake Pop
Starbucks Stories (Oct. 26, 2026), the holiday merchandise schedule and Bearista dates
Today (Nov. 2025), last year’s Red Cup Day rules and cup
Nation’s Restaurant News (Nov. 12, 2025), the Bearista sellout and Starbucks’ apology
KATV (Nov. 7, 2025), the Bearista lines
Pirates & Princesses (Oct. 26, 2026), the Bearista cup’s return
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