Starbucks announced Monday that its annual Red Cup Day will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and the coffee chain outlined two separate rollouts this holiday season for its collectible Bearista Glass Cold Cups.
Dates and limited releases
The company told USA TODAY that the Red Cup Day giveaway — when customers receive a reusable holiday cup with the purchase of a holiday beverage — will be held on Nov. 17. Starbucks also said most items on its 2026 winter holiday menu will be available beginning Nov. 5.
- The Bearista Glass Cold Cup Surprise Box will arrive in participating U.S. Starbucks locations on Nov. 10, available while supplies last.
- The original Bearista Glass Cold Cup will return to coffeehouses on Dec. 1, Starbucks said, “just in time for holiday gifting.”
Last year’s Red Cup Day allowed customers to receive the reusable cup through any ordering channel, including in-store, drive-through, the Starbucks app and third-party delivery, the company said. In 2025, customers who brought back any reusable cup after Red Cup Day received a 10-cent discount on their beverage, and Starbucks Rewards members earned double stars on the entire order.
“just in time for holiday gifting.” — Starbucks
New menu and merchandise timing
Starbucks unveiled its winter holiday menu earlier this month; the company said most new drinks, food and merchandise items will be available starting Nov. 5. The announced menu includes a new Tiramisu Velvet line and an apple pomegranate refresher, along with new food items such as a Braised Short Rib Grilled Cheese and a Turkey & Stuffing Sandwich, and returning treats like the Cranberry Bliss Bar and Snowman Cookie.
The Bearista Glass Cold Cup first launched in November 2025 and sold out quickly. Starbucks said the surprise box will contain one of several designs that are revealed only after opening the box; the company described the boxes as a limited-quantity offering. The original Bearista cup’s Dec. 1 return was announced as part of the company’s holiday merchandise plans.
Starbucks shared the Red Cup Day date and Bearista schedule with USA TODAY on Oct. 26. The company said design details for the Red Cup giveaway will be disclosed closer to the Nov. 17 date.
Availability for the surprise box and the returning Bearista cup will vary by location and is subject to supply. Starbucks did not provide pricing for the surprise box in its announcement.
