Memorial Day 2025 presents a range of complimentary offers and special pricing for active duty military personnel, veterans, and their families across the United States. These promotions are available at museums, theme parks, restaurants, and retailers, typically requiring valid military identification for verification. The offers are designed to honour service members and their families, with many extending beyond the Memorial Day weekend itself.
Free Admission and Tickets
Several cultural and entertainment venues provide free or discounted admission to military families as part of their commitment to honouring service members.
Museums and Cultural Centres
Blue Star Museums, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, offers free admission to active duty personnel and their families at participating museums. This programme runs from Armed Forces Day (May 18) through Labor Day (September 2) in 2025. Service members can access free tickets through this scheme.
Theme Parks
Multiple theme parks offer free admission or significant discounts through the Waves of Honor Programme and other military appreciation schemes.
- Busch Gardens Theme Park: Free admission and special ticket pricing are available through the Waves of Honor Programme for active-duty personnel, veterans, and their families. This includes access to Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove, and Sesame Place in Virginia and Florida.
- California’s Great America: Active duty military, reserves, and veterans can obtain a free ticket valid from May 24-27, 2025. Online discounts are also available for up to six additional tickets.
- Cedar Point: Free admission is provided for military members, National Guard, reserves, and veterans between May 24-27, 2025. A further $40 saving is available when purchasing up to six more tickets online.
- Hershey Park: Military members can take advantage of a "buy one day ticket, get one free" offer, valid until May 31, 2025.
- Kings Dominion: Active members, veterans, National Guard, and reserves will receive a free ticket from May 24-27, 2025. An additional $35 saving is available on tickets for up to six guests.
- LEGOLAND: Military members can access deeply discounted tickets, which may include a second day free.
- Magic Springs Theme Park and Water Park: The park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has announced HERO Appreciation Days running from May 25 to June 9, 2025.
Zoos
Many zoos across the country offer free admission to military members and their families throughout the year. For Memorial Day 2025, some zoos may extend this deal to include additional tickets for family members on military holidays. It is recommended to check with local zoos for specific Memorial Day 2025 deals and freebies.
Food and Beverage Offers
A wide array of restaurants and food retailers provide complimentary meals, discounts, and special bundles for military personnel during the Memorial Day period.
Restaurant Discounts and Free Meals
Participation varies by location, and it is advised to call ahead to confirm.
- 7-Eleven: Veterans Advantage members can get a free coffee or Big Gulp on Memorial Day. They can also earn extra rewards by linking their 7Rewards and Veterans Advantage accounts.
- Applebee’s: Participating restaurants offer active and retired military service members and their families a 10% discount on their bill. A separate, general Memorial Day special for dine-in guests includes an All-You-Can-Eat deal for Chicken Tenders, Double Crunch Shrimp, or Riblets for £15.99, accompanied by coleslaw and endless fries from May 23 to May 26, 2025.
- Chuck E. Cheese’s: Military families, including active-duty, National Guard, reservists, and retired service members, receive special deals year-round when presenting a Common Access Card, Uniformed Services ID Card, or Dependent ID Card.
- Hooters: Veterans and active military personnel can eat free from a special menu on Memorial Day with a military identification and drink purchase. Hooters also offers a daily 10% military discount and a special 20% military discount every Tuesday throughout the year at participating locations.
- Outback Steakhouse: Through Memorial Day, active military, veterans, police officers, and firefighters with valid state or federal identification receive 20% off. A 10% everyday Heroes Discount is also available for servicemen and women, police officers, and firefighters.
- Perkins American Food Co.: Military service members can receive a free Magnificent Seven Breakfast (two eggs, three pancakes, two bacon strips) on May 26, 2025, with valid ID.
- Pokeworks: Military personnel can enjoy 20% off any in-store purchase with a valid military ID using code MEMDAY25.
- RaceTrac: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free breakfast sandwich by verifying their military status in the RaceTrac rewards app or signing up on the website.
- Twin Peaks: All military personnel receive a free meal from a select menu on Memorial Day with military identification.
General Food and Beverage Deals
These offers are available to all customers, not exclusively military personnel.
- 7-Eleven: Offers £20 off any £30 delivery order via the 7NOW app using promo code MONDAY20, plus whole pizzas for £6.99 each on May 26, 2025.
- Bubbakoo’s Burritos: Free delivery with no minimum purchase on online or in-app orders from May 23 to May 26, 2025.
- Burger King: Royal Perks members receive a free Whopper Jr. every day from May 23 to May 26, 2025.
- Marco’s Pizza: The Crowd Pleaser Bundle—two medium one-topping pizzas, Cheezybread, and CinnaSquares—is available for £24.99 using code FEEDS online or in-app through May 26, 2025.
- Nekter Juice Bar: Offers a £1 gluten-free protein waffle with any purchase through May 26, 2025.
- Newk’s Eatery: Provides two pizzas and a salad for £20 from May 23 to May 26, 2025.
- Olive Garden: Free delivery on online or in-app orders with code OGDELIVERS through May 26, 2025 (limited to the first one million orders).
- Peet’s Coffee: Saves 20% sitewide and offers free shipping on £25+ orders with code MEM20 through May 26, 2025.
- Popeyes: Offers two chicken sandwiches for £8 online or in-app through May 26, 2025, plus a free buttermilk biscuit with any £5+ order through May 29, 2025.
- Raising Cane’s: New Caniac Club members get a free Box Combo when they confirm their email within 48 hours; existing members can check their rewards for a BOGO treat.
- Rita’s Italian Ice: Download the app and spend £10 to get a free small Kool-Aid Sharkleberry Fin Ice or Ice Blender (limit one per account) through June 1, 2025.
- Shake Shack: From May 26 to June 1, 2025, enjoy a free ShackBurger with any £10+ purchase using code BURGERMONTH online, in-app, or at kiosks.
- Sheetz: App users can redeem code 2DOGZ4U under Offerz for two free hot dogs, valid for two weeks after activation.
- Smashburger: Download or log in to the Smashburger app by Memorial Day to claim a free Smashburger on the house.
- Smoothie King: Rewards members can upsize any 20-ounce drink to a 32-ounce at no extra cost on Friday, May 23, 2025.
- Sonic: Offers a Unicorn Dreams Slush for £3.99 and a complimentary Legendary Wish-Awakening Unicorn Horn Straw from May 23 to May 26, 2025.
- Subway: Provides any footlong for £6.99 with code 699FL online or in-app through Memorial Day weekend.
- Taco John’s: Offers BOGO any size Summer Lemonade (Wildberry, Strawberry, or Classic) in-store, online, or in-app through May 26, 2025.
- Teapigs: Offers 15% off sitewide in honour of International Tea Day.
Retail Discounts
Several retailers offer exclusive military discounts, some of which are available year-round.
Military-Specific Discounts
The following retailers provide verified military discounts, which may be enhanced for Memorial Day:
- Academy Sports + Outdoors
- Adidas
- Crocs
- HeyDude
- Reebok
- Samsung
- Sleep Number
- Stanley
- Under Armour
Important Considerations
When seeking these offers, it is crucial to verify participation and terms directly with the specific venue or retailer. Offers can vary by location, and some may require pre-registration or the use of specific promo codes. Always confirm that a location is participating in a promotion before visiting. For military discounts, ensure you have the appropriate identification ready, such as a Common Access Card, Uniformed Services ID Card, or Dependent ID Card.
Conclusion
Memorial Day 2025 offers a significant range of complimentary tickets, discounted meals, and retail savings for military personnel and their families. From free admission to museums and theme parks to special pricing at restaurants and stores, these promotions provide an opportunity for families to enjoy leisure activities and meals at a reduced cost. While many deals are available throughout the Memorial Day weekend, some extend into the summer months, such as the Blue Star Museums programme which runs until September 2. Prospective participants are strongly advised to confirm details with individual establishments, as participation and specific terms can vary.