Family Giveaways in Winston-Salem, NC: Updated 2026 List for Local Winners

Winston-Salem families have a handful of real, documented ways to get something free or win a prize right now, and a few more that return on a predictable yearly schedule. The steadiest options are national loyalty programs anyone can join today, while a local travel sweepstakes, a ballpark meal deal, and two public programs cycle on and off through the year. This list sticks to programs with a verifiable source and an active or confirmed-returning window, so you know exactly what to expect before you sign up.

It also flags which items are closed right now, so you're not chasing something that already ended.

Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on October 26, 2026.

What can Winston-Salem families get for free right now?

The most reliable options aren't sweepstakes at all — they're free loyalty memberships that pay off every year without an entry deadline. Chick-fil-A's One rewards program gives every member a birthday reward once they add a birthday to their account at least 24 hours ahead of time. Base membership tiers get a free cookie or brownie, while the top Signature tier can receive a free entrée, and the reward stays valid for 30 days.

This applies at Winston-Salem locations the same as anywhere else in the chain. Krispy Kreme works the same way, and the connection runs deeper here: the doughnut chain was founded in Winston-Salem in 1937. Its free Rewards program, joined through the app or website, gives members a free sweet treat during their birthday month and doubles points during their account anniversary month, according to the company's own announcement.

Both are no-purchase-necessary to join and both are ongoing, not one-time giveaways — so a family with a few kids can set up accounts once and get a small free item from each child's birthday every year going forward.

Is there a travel giveaway for Winston-Salem families?

Visit Winston-Salem, the city's official tourism bureau, has sponsored a recurring "Getaway Giveaway" with Tervis. The most recent round awarded a two-night stay for two at the downtown Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, local attraction tickets, and a $150 travel stipend. That entry period closed on September 9, 2025.

Because this has run as a sponsored promotion rather than a single one-off event, families who want a shot at a future round should check the Visit Winston-Salem and Tervis pages periodically for a new entry window rather than assuming the prize is available to enter today. There's no confirmed date for the next cycle as of this writing.

What about the Winston-Salem Dash's kids' meal deal?

During the 2026 season, the Winston-Salem Dash offered a free kids' meal for children 12 and under with the purchase of an adult meal at Wednesday home games at Truist Stadium. That detail came from the team's event listing through Visit Winston-Salem. The minor-league regular season has already ended for the year, so this specific perk isn't running right now.

It's worth noting for families who plan ahead, since the Dash have historically brought Wednesday-night family promotions back each spring when the new season's schedule is set — but no 2027 schedule or promotion has been confirmed yet.

Which free kids' programs are seasonal, and when do they come back?

Forsyth County Public Library runs a free Summer Reading Program every year, open to any enrolled child regardless of library card status. The 2026 edition, called "Unearth a Story," ran from June 5 through July 31 and gave participants a "Digby" tracking card and stamp passport that could be redeemed for small prizes, according to the library's own program page. The program has already closed for the year and won't reopen until summer 2027.

Separately, North Carolina's 529 College Savings Plan ran a statewide "Dream Chaser Sweepstakes" open to families across the state, including Winston-Salem residents. One winner received a $5,529 deposit into an NC 529 account. Entries were accepted from September 1 to October 13, 2026, under the plan's official sweepstakes rules, and that window is now closed.

Neither program has an announced next date yet, but both have run on an annual cycle, so checking back around early summer (for the library) or late summer (for the 529 sweepstakes) is the practical way to catch the next round.

How should a family decide what to sign up for first?

Start with the two options that cost nothing to set up and never expire: Chick-fil-A One and Krispy Kreme Rewards. Both only require adding each household member's birthday to get a recurring free item. None of these require a purchase to participate in the sweepstakes-style entries, but the Chick-fil-A and Krispy Kreme rewards are loyalty-program perks tied to membership, not random-draw prizes — worth knowing before assuming every item on this list is a "chance to win" versus a guaranteed benefit.

• Join Chick-fil-A One and add every family member's birthday at least 24 hours in advance to avoid missing the 30-day reward window.
• Join Krispy Kreme Rewards the same way, and note the reward lands in the birthday month, not on the exact date.
• Bookmark the Visit Winston-Salem and Tervis giveaway pages if a free local getaway is appealing, since the next entry window isn't open yet.
• Mark next summer for the Forsyth County Library reading program and late summer for the NC 529 sweepstakes, since both are seasonal and currently closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to spend money to join Chick-fil-A One or Krispy Kreme Rewards?

No. Both programs are free to join through their apps or websites, and the birthday reward is a membership perk, not a purchase requirement.

Is the Visit Winston-Salem travel giveaway open right now?

Not currently. The most recent round, sponsored with Tervis, closed on September 9, 2025, and no new entry period has been announced.

When will the Winston-Salem Dash kids' meal deal return?

It ran on Wednesday home games during the 2026 minor-league season, which has ended. A return would depend on the team's next season schedule, which hasn't been released yet.