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Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts — if you dress the part. Here’s when

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Krispy Kreme is celebrating Mardi Gras with a one-day doughnut giveaway.

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, anyone wearing colorful beads synonymous with the religious and cultural holiday can get a free original glazed doughnut at participating shops nationwide, the Charlotte-based doughnut chain said.

Doughnuts are limited to one per person, and no purchase is required.

A Krispy Kreme promotional graphic for Mardi Gras featuring a close-up of an Original Glazed doughnut on a purple background with green and gold beads. Text reads: ‘2/17 ONLY! Wear your Mardi Gras beads for a FREE Original Glazed.’”
Charlotte-based Krispy Kreme is offering customers a sweet deal for Mardi Gras. Krispy Kreme

This year, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The festive occasion marks the last day of Carnival season and is usually celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday when Lenten season begins, according to Mardi Gras New Orleans.

“The tradition of float riders throwing trinkets to the crowds began in the 1870s, and continues today,” the website says. “Typical throws include beads, cups, doubloons and stuffed animals.”

The season of fun and feasting is typically spent filling up on “rich, fatty foods” in the weeks leading up to fasting for Lent, History.com reports.

A single Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut packs plenty of fat and sugar — 10 grams each — making it the perfect Mardi Gras treat.

Find your nearest Krispy Kreme here.

A large batch of freshly made original glazed doughnuts are shown on a wire rack. They are a golden brown color with a shiny glaze coating, and the ones in the back are starting to be coated with a white icing.
Charlotte-based Krispy Kreme, best known for its “Hot Now” glazed doughnuts, is testing an expanded menu with more flavors. Photo by Krispy Kreme

This story was originally published February 16, 2026 at 10:24 AM.

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Tanasia Kenney

Sun Herald

Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.

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Tanasia Kenney

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