9 Money-Saving Summer Dates to Mark on Your Calendar Now

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No other season on a busy family’s calendar fills up like summer.

Camps, hikes, vacations, camping trips, family reunions — there’s hardly a week without an event to look forward to.

But summer events can get pricey. That’s why you’ll want to check out these upcoming June, July and August deals for family fun on a budget. Some offer discounted tickets, food or admission. Others are completely free.

Tip: Read each promotion’s rules and regulations carefully to avoid disappointment.

1. Throughout summer — Kids movie deals

family boy movie theater popcorn family movie hispanic
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There’s something about watching movies on a theater’s big screen that beats even the best home-video setup.

Numerous cinema chains this summer plan special showings of kids’ favorites, from “Paw Patrol” to “Despicable Me,” all summer long — often for a couple of bucks.

The big names participating in 2022 include Cinemark, where Summer Movie Clubhouse showings will be a mere $1.50, and Regal, where Summer Movie Express showings are $2. But also check with smaller chains in your area — Hip2Save has a pretty comprehensive compilation.

2. June 21 — Early Prime Day deals start

Woman shopping on Amazon
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While Amazon Prime Day 2022 is not until July, the early deals will kick off a few weeks prior, on Tuesday, June 21.

These deals will include discounts of as much as 55% on popular Amazon devices — smart speakers and video doorbells to e-readers and tablets — and as much as 50% off Fire TV smart televisions.

The early deals, however, kick off on Tuesday, June 21. You can scope out these deep discounts of as much as 55% on Amazon's official Prime Day 2022 webpage.

Not yet a Prime member? You might want to check out:

3. July 1-11 — Free Slurpee at 7-Eleven

Slurpee at 7-Eleven
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Free Slurpee Day is an annual tradition at 7-Eleven. This year, the convenience store chain will celebrate its 95th birthday by rewarding 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty app members with one free small Slurpee.

The coupon will appear in your account on July 1, and you can redeem it at any point through July 11 (7-Eleven’s actual birthday). As 7-Eleven says:

“With so many delicious Slurpee flavors to choose from, it might be a challenge for customers to select their favorite. Great news: It’s impossible to go wrong with classics like Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Pina Colada, or Coca-Cola … Those looking to venture out and sip on something new should try limited-time-only flavors like Mango Lemonade … and try the new mystery flavor, What the Fanta.”

4. July 12-13 — Amazon Prime Day

Amazon Prime member holding packages
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Prime Day 2022, Amazon’s big annual sale exclusively for Prime members, is set to start at 3 a.m. ET on July 12 and run through July 13.

Before the big event arrives, though, Prime members should head on over to Amazon's Prime Stampcard webpage to learn how they can earn a free $10 credit to use on a Prime Day order or future Amazon purchases.

Not yet a Prime member? You might want to check out:

5. Sometime in July — National Hot Dog Day

Close up of hotdog with mustard.
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If you relish a good hot dog, watch your calendar in July. At some point, National Hot Dog Day will appear.

It usually falls on the third Wednesday of the month, which this year would be July 20, but it doesn’t stick to that schedule. Whatever the date may be in 2022, expect chains such as Hot Dog on a Stick and Wienerschnitzel to offer free or discounted dogs in celebration.

6. July and August — Back-to-school sales tax holidays

Back to school asian girl child kid shopping buying school satchel backpack store
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Back-to-school time sounds far off right now, but fall school shopping will be here before you know it, and parents will be looking for deals to stock up on everything from crayons to computers.

Plan ahead by finding your local back-to-school sales tax holiday. This is when some states suspend their sales tax on certain qualifying items.

This list will tell you if your state has a tax holiday and its dates and details. Watch for restrictions, such as the maximum cost of qualifying items.

7. July 17 — National Ice Cream Day

Young women eating ice cream
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We all scream for National Ice Cream Day.

This deliciously decadent holiday has been around since 1984 when President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day. (This year, that’s Sunday, July 17.)

Look for chains such as Baskin-Robbins and Carvel to serve up specials and frosty freebies.

8. Aug. 4 — Free admission to national parks

travel
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America’s National Park Service is a globally recognized gem that manages the nation’s stunning park properties from coast to coast.

On Aug. 4, admission to all of those locations will be free in celebration of the enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, a federal law that provided for improved infrastructure and expanded recreation opportunities in national parks and other public lands.

Can’t get to a national park on Aug. 4? Other free-admission dates are scheduled for Sept. 24 and Nov. 11.

9. Aug. 6 — National Root Beer Float Day

Root Beer Float Vanilla Ice Cream
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Refreshing root beer and delicious vanilla ice cream pair up for the perfect summer drink. And Aug. 6 offers a chance to snag a deal on this beloved drink.

Where? Try your local A&W for sure — it already has announced that those who sign up for A&W Mug Club will get a coupon for a free small root beer float, which they actually can redeem anytime from July 6 to Aug. 6. Also, try some Wienerschnitzel restaurants.

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