It’s the first day of spring, which means free Rita’s water ice

It’s the first day of spring — or better known in the Philadelphia region as a far more important unofficial holiday: Free Rita’s Italian Ice Day.

The Bensalem-born national water ice purveyor is continuing its annual tradition of giving away free cups to mark the changing of the seasons. It’s only a technicality that most locations opened on March 1.

For today only, all 600 Rita’s Italian Ice and Custard locations across the United States will be handing out 6-ounce cups of any of their more than 80 flavors, including a new mystery variety in partnerships with Peeps.

(Yes, the Easter marshmallows manufactured in Bethlehem. Pennsylvania, it seems, invented corporate spring.)

The mystery flavor will be served as a white water ice to not give away any hints, according to a news release from the company. Customers can enter for a chance to win free Rita’s for a year — plus some branded swag — by submitting their guesses for the new flavor on Rita’s website from March 20 through March 29. Five winners will be chosen at random from all correct answers.

“For so many people, Rita’s and the Peeps Brand are tied to the simple joys and sweet memories that define spring‚” Rita’s senior vice president of marketing insights and innovation Carmela Hughley, said in a statement. “This collaboration brings together two iconic brands to create a Mystery Italian Ice that feels playful, nostalgic, and mysterious.”

To celebrate, Rita’s will also be hosting a pop-up today at Schuylkill River Park (300 S. 25th St.) from 3 to 5 p.m. A Rita’s truck will be parked on the trail to serve samples of mango water ice and the Peeps flavor, and there will also be spring-themed photo ops, naturally.

Arrive early, and expect long lines. Rita’s estimates it will serve approximately 1 million cups of water ice, the company said in a news release.

Though Rita’s dropped water ice from the name in favor of the distinctly un-Philadelpian “Italian Ice” 20 years ago, the company has a deeply local origin story. Ex-Philadelphia firefighter opened the first Rita’s on Bristol Pike in Bensalem in 1994, naming the store after his wife.

The company hasn’t changed its formulas since, Rita’s chief development officer Lawrence Brown assured the Inquirer earlier this year. But the company has changed hands a lot since the Tumulos sold Rita’s in 2025: The company is on its fourth private equity owner, Maple Park Capital, in a little over 20 years. Under its new ownership, Rita’s plans to grow to 800 stores over the next five years. And, perhaps controversial, start selling water ice year round by pivoting to drive-thrus.

Here’s to hoping for free water ice for Christmas.

» READ MORE: Rita’s latest owner hopes year-round sales will finally make the Philly-centric chain a national name

There are 25 Rita’s Italian Ice & Custard locations within Philadelphia city limits offering free water ice for the first day of spring. They are: