(NEXSTAR) – Leap Day is just one day away, but you can already take advantage of some deals in honor of the once-in-four-years phenom.
Unlike non-Leap Years, February will have a 29th day on Thursday, but why?
The thing to know is that leap year exists, in large part, to keep the months in sync with annual events, including equinoxes and solstices, according to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology.
It’s a correction to counter the fact that Earth’s orbit isn’t precisely 365 days a year. The trip takes about six hours longer than that, NASA says.
You can find a more detailed history of the Leap Year here and this year’s deals below.
Wendy’s
On Thursday, breakfast will be on Wendy’s.
The fast-food chain announced Monday that customers can get a free Cinnabon Pull-Apart, a new menu item, during breakfast hours at their local Wendy’s restaurant. No prior purchase is needed to redeem the freebie.
The deal comes as the chain celebrates four years of serving breakfast.
“As we celebrate our four-year breakfast anniversary with this new product, we’re offering sweet deals starting on Leap Day – a day that only comes around every four years,” Lindsay Radkoski, U.S. chief marketing officer for The Wendy’s Company, said in a statement.
Wendy’s is the only restaurant offering limited-time deals in honor of Leap Day.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme announced Monday that customers can get a dozen original glazed doughnuts for $2.29 with the purchase of any regularly priced dozen.
Additionally, customers with a birthday on Feb. 29, can receive a free dozen original glazed doughnuts, no purchase necessary.
However, customers will have to show proof that Feb. 29 is their actual birthday.
Chipotle
Extra guacamole comes as a perk for this year’s extra day – Chipotle Rewards members who use the code EXTRA24 at checkout on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com can get free guac on Feb. 29.
And for 29 lucky Chipotle fans, there’s another offer.
“This leap year, the extra day means free chipotle guac for a year … if you can find the codes,” the restaurant chain wrote on Instagram.
Chipotle’s challenge runs from Feb. 26 through Feb. 29 and includes 29 hidden keywords that can be found within the company’s instagram posts.
The game starts at 9 a.m. PT each day; if you find a keyword text it to 888222.
See the full rules here.
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge is offering a “Leap Year At The Lodge” sale with rates starting at $29 per person.
Use the code LEAP on Feb. 29 only to book a room starting at $29 per person.
Stay dates range from 02/29/2024 to 06/13/2024 with the discount varying by date. The offer applies to standard suite styles and varies for the themed and premium suites.
See more on the Great Wolf Lodge website.
Build-A-Bear
Build-A-Bear said that for one day only — Feb. 29 — anyone celebrating a Leap Day birthday is invited to its participating workshops to build a Birthday Treat Bear for only $4. The price is a nod to the once-every-four-year occurrence of leap-day birthdays, reported Nexstar’s SOCO.
The limited-time offer is an extension of the company’s “Pay Your Age” promotion, in which kids can take home a Birthday Treat Bear during their birthday month for the cost of their new age.
Build-A-Bear recommends checking your local store for availability.