Starbucks is rolling out a new, lighter roast they dub “Blonde Veranda” and to see which roast Starbucks fans like best, the company is offering free tastings Thursday Jan. 12 through Saturday Jan. 14.

Just show up to any participating Starbucks and you can taste three coffees for free: Dark Italian Roast, new Blonde Veranda roast and Medium Pike Place roast. Starbucks would like you to vote for your favorite on their Facebook app, but it’s not required to try the coffee. Plus, if you participate in the tasting, they’ll send you home with a freebie!

We haven’t had a chance to taste-test yet — anyone know what the freebie is?

Freebie Update: A Starbucks spokesperson says customers who put their taste buds to the test will receive a free sample of Starbucks® Blonde Roast to brew at home, or a coupon for $1 off their choice of a pound of any Starbucks® coffee or any 8- or 12-pack of Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew.

Joy to the free!

*Disclosure: No compensation was received in exchange for this post.

photo credit: Yehohan92100 via photopin cc

You don’t have to pay to enjoy nature this upcoming weekend, as 100 of the 396 National Parks that charge admission are free to all, in part to celebrate the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The fee waiver January 14 to January 16, 2012 includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees but not camping reservations or fees to third parties.

These are the first fee-free days in 2012. Mark your calendar for other national park fee-free days in 2012:

*April 21-29
(National Park Week)

*June 9
(Get Outdoors Day)

*September 29
(National Public Lands Day)

*November 10-12
(Veterans Day weekend)

Consider combining the free admission with discounts and special offers from park partners and neighboring businesses:

National Park Hospitality Association
National Parks Promotions Council

Yesssssss, I'm free!

Kids can build a colorful Cobra figure at LEGO stores’ monthly free mini-build workshop, Tuesday, Jan. 3. The free LEGO workshop is for ages 6 to 14 only, so adult LEGO fans are out of luck. The free workshop starts at 5pm at LEGO stores across the U.S.

Every first Tuesday in the U.S., LEGO stores offer a free special model workshop with a mini-kit often tied into a holiday. Kids get to build and take the LEGOs home, for free. Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only. Unfortunately, the kits are not available for sale, so kids must be present to participate.

You can also pick up a Free LEGO monthly calendar in the store. See an example HERE. Each calendar comes with fun ideas, a list of the store’s events and coupons! Want to see what’s in the calendar before you go? You can download a copy for free from each LEGO store’s site.

Can’t make it to LEGO store?
LEGO Shop at Home: The World’s Biggest LEGO Shop.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Ad Clicks benefit Free Fun Guides and help us to bring you all the free fun! No direct compensation was received in exchange for this post.

Take a frosty bite out of a Free ice cream cupcake on Thursday, Dec. 15 at any participating Marble Slab and Maggie Moo’s! What’s up with the free ice cream cupcake? Marble Slab and Maggie Moo’s are celebrating National Cupcake Day!

The deal is good from 4PM to 7PM Dec. 15 only. Not all Marble Slab and Maggie Moo’s are participating, so Click on these Marble Slab and Maggie Moo’s links to see which one near you is handing out free ice cream cupcakes!

*Disclosure: No compensation was received in exchange for this post. However, we wouldn’t mind if you clicked on our Adsense links below to help us continue to bring you all the free fun!

Target has announced a new deal: get a free $10 Target gift card when you spend $75! Just in time for the last weekend of holiday shopping, the freebie requires no coupon. You must make your $75 purchase from 5pm Friday Dec. 16 to noon Saturday Dec. 17. Limit one gift card per qualifying transaction, per guest.

On top of that you’ll be able to stretch how much that $75 goes for because Target is putting thousands of items on sale, up to 40% off.

So head out, finish that holiday shopping on a frugal budget and score a free gift card!

Joy to the free!

*Disclosure: No compensation was exchanged for this post. May contain affiliate links. We hope you click on the links to help us bring you all the free fun!

For some folks the most wonderous day of the year is Free Shipping Day! This year, almost 2,000 online retailers are participating in the Free Shipping offer, which guarantees delivery by Christmas Eve in the contiguous 48 U.S. states.

Shopping in Canada? You’re in for Free Shipping Day today, Monday, Dec. 12

LEGO stores latest free mini-build workshop is tonight! Kids ages 6 to 14 can build a fun and free nutcracker LEGO model today, Dec. 6. The only catch is you have to have to go to a LEGO store to do it. Workshop starts at 5pm.

Every first Tuesday in the U.S., LEGO stores offer a free special model workshop with a mini-kit often tied into a holiday. Kids get to build and take the LEGOs home, for free. Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only. Unfortunately, the kits are not available for sale, so kids must be present to participate.

You can also pick up a Free LEGO monthly calendar in the store. See an example HERE. Each calendar comes with fun ideas, a list of the store’s events and coupons! Want to see what’s in the calendar before you go? You can download a copy for free from each LEGO store’s site.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. No direct compensation was received in exchange for this post.

Looking to give a sweet gift this holiday season? There’s nothing sweeter than giving and then getting something for yourself for free!

In this case the free is a scrumptious slice of a Cheesecake Factory confection, like the seasonal Peppermint Bark pictured above. You’ll get what Cheesecake Factory dubs “a Slice a Joy” for every $25 you purchase in Gift Cards. The freebie deal is good for both traditional and eGift cards purchased between Nov. 25 and Dec. 25.

Buy a traditional gift card and your Slice of Joy card will be mailed on either Dec. 19 or Dec. 29, depending on when you purchased the gift card. Buy an eGift card and your eSlice card will be emailed within 2 – 5 business days of purchase. The Slice of Joy cards are redeemable for a slice of your choice between Dec. 26, 2011 and Mar. 31, 2012.

Pop over to AMC Theatres Facebook page and print out a coupon for a FREE small popcorn! Just like their page and the free popcorn coupon should pop up for you to print out.

The coupon is good only at participating AMC Theatres and on these dates: Dec. 2, Dec. 3 and Dec. 4. Limit one coupon per person.

Kids can build a FREE Santa with sleigh decoration at Lowe’s on Saturday, Nov. 19! The Christmas decoration includes three reindeer and is perfect for a table top display.

The free kit building session is one of Lowe’s Build & Grow clinics that it holds on select Saturdays at 10:30am. It’s easy for your kids to participate. Just sign them up HERE.

Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.

*No compensation was exchanged for this post.