Starbucks offers new chance to secure 'Bearista' holiday cups
Fans of Starbucks' viral "Bearista" cups are getting another shot at acquiring the festive container.
From Dec. 8 to Jan. 4, an average of more than 600 bear-themed cups daily will be up for the taking as a prize for the annual Starbucks for Life holiday game.
The game is available for Starbucks Rewards members and involves a virtual journey through four cities, Seattle, Milan, Tokyo and New York City, alternating each week of the competition.
The game's free Prize Play each week involves an opportunity to secure prizes such as the "Bearista" cup, and members who play each week will be entered into a "Starbucks for Life" sweepstakes. Those who play during the week of Dec. 22 to Dec. 29 will be entered into the "Starbucks for a Year" sweepstakes.
All about the viral Starbucks 'Bearista' Cold Cup
Starbucks' "Bearista" cold cups have taken the internet by storm this holiday season, selling out in stores as fast as they hit shelves and prompting customers to plead in the comment sections of the coffee chain's social media posts for a re-release.
The Seattle-based company's 2025 holiday cups, menu, and merchandise debuted Nov. 6, including new holiday tumblers, mugs and cold cup additions.
Drawing overwhelming attention online was the Glass Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup for iced drinks, a glass teddy bear-shaped cup complete with its own Starbucks beverage, Starbucks beanie lid, and a green and white striped straw.
The 20-ounce glass cold cup was priced at $29.95.
In a previous statement to ABC News, a Starbucks spokesperson said, "The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations and despite shipping more Bearista cups to coffeehouses than almost any other merchandise item this holiday season, the Bearista cup and some other items sold out fast."
"We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused," they added at the time. "We have more exciting merchandise coming this holiday season."
The Bearista cold cup was initially included in Starbucks' holiday menu and merchandise announcement back on Oct. 6 but quickly captured the internet's attention after Starbucks posted a video featuring the glassware on social media Tuesday.
"Who's getting a bearista cup on 11/6 lmk," Starbucks captioned the Instagram post, sharing a video of a barista filling up the bear cup with a cold coffee beverage.
The post accrued more than 16,000 comments and has since become like a community board of complaints, filled with customers upset by the short supply, suggesting purchase limits and expressing their disappointment.
The bear cups, along with other Starbucks merchandise, were listed as available for purchase in-store at Starbucks coffeehouses only "for a limited time, while supplies last," according to the Starbucks website.
On TikTok, many users shared footage themselves waking up before sunrise in order to obtain the drinkware before stores ran out.
"I woke up at 3:45 a.m. for the Starbucks Bearista Cold Cup and didn't get one," one TikTok user posted.
Another video showing off the product accrued more than 3 million views.
Several videos online show extensive lines of Starbucks fans waiting for their chance to purchase the holiday item.
Instagram users flocked to the comments on another Starbucks post showcasing the Bearista cup, as well as a new Starbucks Hello Kitty plush, expressing frustration at how quickly the popular product sold out.
"People camped out all night to not even get one," one comment read in part.
Other Starbucks merchandise on sale for the holiday season includes the White Ribbon Tumbler, the Gingerbread Cookie Tumbler, the White Pleated Mug, the Holiday Puppy Tumbler, the Starbucks Christmas Mug, Starbucks Holiday Ornaments and more.
The Starbucks Hello Kitty collection also launched "just in time for the start of Starbucks holiday season," the company said. The collection, which includes cups, tumblers and the aforementioned plush -- which includes a tiny Starbucks apron and is boxed for gifting -- is available for purchase in participating Starbucks coffeehouses in the U.S. and Canada while supplies last.
