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Free Cone Day Returns to Celebrate Spring

Hey fellow Winnipeggers, just a heads-up for anyone else who’s been staring at the melting snow banks and praying for patio weather—the best sign of spring is officially back!

Dairy Queen is doing their Free Cone Day on Thursday, March 19th. Honestly, even if it’s still minus-five out, there’s something about that classic vanilla soft-serve with the little curl on top that just makes it feel like we survived another winter.

It's become a bit of a tradition around here, and it’s a solid excuse to get out of the house.

How to Actually Get Your Freebie

DQ has moved everything to their app now, so don't just roll up to the window and expect a freebie without it. Here’s the “pro-tip” breakdown so you don't get stuck at the front of a long line at the Kenaston or Pembina locations:

  • Ditch the old app: If you still have that ancient red DQ icon on your phone, delete it. You need the shiny new one (iOS 16+ or Android 6.0+).
  • Don't wait until Thursday morning: Seriously, sign up for a DQ Rewards account now. It can take up to 24 hours for the deal to actually show up in your “Deals” tab, and there’s nothing worse than missing out because of a slow server.
  • Set a “Home” spot: Make sure you save a favorite location in your profile, or the app gets confused and might not show the offer.

The Quick Deets

  • The Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026.
  • The Prize: One free small vanilla cone.
  • The Catch: One per person/account. If you're heading out with the whole crew, everyone needs their own app logged in to claim theirs.

A Friendly Warning

Once you hit that “Redeem” button for the 5-digit code in-store, you’ve only got 15 minutes to use it. Don't click it while you're still circling the parking lot looking for a spot! Wait until you can actually see the menu board.

It’s probably going to be packed—you know how we love a good deal—so expect a bit of a lineup. But hey, grab a friend, enjoy the (hopefully) sunshine, and let's celebrate making it to March.

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