There’s always a lot of fuss made about Starbucks Red Cup Day. Devoted followers of the brand are always desperate to find out when the launch will drop. People actually book the day off work to get their hands on these festive holiday cups. You might think it’s madness, but there’s going to be more chaos this season.
Forget Red Cup Day, because Starbucks has officially confirmed the return of the viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup for the 2026 holiday season. Rather than dropping everything alongside the holiday menu rollout on November 5, Starbucks is staggering the return of its most viral mascot across two dedicated drops in November and December.
In 2026, Starbucks is splitting the release into two phases:
Mashable Trend Report
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Nov. 10: Starbucks is introducing the Glass Bearista Cold Cup — Surprise Box Edition, a mystery blind-box collection
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Dec. 1: The classic, viral Bearista Glass Cold Cup officially returns to select coffeehouses for a holiday restock.
Starbucks is introducing a mystery blind-box collection.
Credit: Starbucks
Both drops arrive in strictly limited quantities, while supplies last. That makes them standout pieces for collectors. But you knew that anyway, didn’t you?
The reality is that coffeehouses are likely to sell out within 30 minutes of opening.
If you want to secure either the Nov. 10 or Dec. 1 drop without camping on a chilly sidewalk, we suggest targeting licensed Starbucks kiosks inside grocery stores and big-box retailers when doors open. These kiosks tend to receive independent stock shipments and see significantly lighter foot traffic. This tactic does not guarantee success, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
