What's Your Favorite Starbucks Holiday Cup From the Last 26 Years?

What's Your Favorite Starbucks Holiday Cup From the Last 26 Years?


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For years, the debut of Starbucks' holiday cups has acted as a sort of marker for the start of the holiday season. Once that red cup is in your hands, all bets are off: It's time to put up the Christmas tree, break out the holiday tunes, and start baking cookies. In the lead-up to the cup change-out, Starbucks fans speculate what the new one will look like. Will it be red? White? Designed? Plain? We've seen them all over the last 21 years.

Take a look back at the most recent holiday cups, and watch the video above to see every single Starbucks cup, dating back to 1997—the year of the very first winter cup. Can you believe it was purple?!

2018

Starbucks Holiday Cups
Starbucks

This year's set includes four distinct patterned cups: A red cup with stripes; a white cup with green leaves and bright red berries; a red houndstooth cup; and a green "Stargyle" printed cup.

2017

Cup, Cup, Ceramic, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Mug, Tableware, Coffee cup sleeve, Pottery, Art,
Starbucks

Starbucks' first white cup was covered with sketches—two hands holding, more coffee cups, presents, hearts, and more.

2016

Cup, Coffee cup, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup sleeve, Tumbler, Mug, Ceramic, Tableware, Drink,
Starbucks

This year's cup featured the words love and joy, plus plenty of customer-created drawings, all drawn on a red background.

2015

Cup, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup, Tumbler, Tableware, Coffee cup sleeve, Lid, Drink, Plastic,
Starbucks

2015 was the year of ombré, with a simple, two-toned red cup.

2014

Cup, Cup, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Tumbler, Drink, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware,
Starbucks

2014's "Let there be bright" theme spawned this red, brushstroke-lined cup.

To see more, take a look at the video above!

For years, the debut of Starbucks' holiday cups has acted as a marker for the start of the holiday season. Once that red cup is in your hands, all bets are off: It's time to put up the Christmas tree, break out the holiday tunes, start baking cookies. In the lead-up to the cup change-out, Starbucks fans speculate what the new one will look like. Will it be red? White? Patterned? Plain? We've seen them all over the last 26 years.

Take a look back at the all of them, dating back to 1997—the year of the very first winter cup. Can you believe it was purple?!


2024

The theme for the 2024 cups is "Merrier Together." And in addition to highlighting the color green, the new cups also feature cozy charms that look like old-fashioned holiday ornaments or peppermints.

starbucks holiday cups 2024
Starbucks


2023

The 2023 cups follow the theme, "Share the Joy," and each feature sparkles and bright magenta. There's also a cold cup, which sadly, doesn't include pink.

starbucks holiday cups
Starbucks


2022

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Peppermint Mocha, these designs incorporated mint green into the color palette, according to Starbucks.

starbucks red cups
Starbucks


2021

A splash of lilac made its way to the 2021 holiday cups.

red cups
add Starbucks


2020

The design process for the 2020 holiday cups involved wrapping ribbons similar to washi tape around cups, according to Starbucks.

starbucks holiday cups 2020
Connor Surdi


2019

2019 brought four fun and festive cups to get into the holiday spirit.

Cup, Cup, Drinkware, Tumbler, Coffee cup, Mug, Tableware, Drink,
Starbucks


2019

2019 brought four cups with different designs, such as this polka dot one.

starbucks red cups
Starbucks


2018

This year's set includes four distinct patterned cups: A red cup with stripes; a white cup with green leaves and bright red berries...

Cup, Green, Red, Cup, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Tumbler, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware, Mug,
Starbucks


2018

...a red houndstooth cup; and a green "Stargyle" printed cup.

Cup, Green, Red, Cup, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Tumbler, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware, Mug,
Starbucks


2017

Starbucks' first white cup was covered with sketches—two hands holding, more coffee cups, presents, hearts, and more.

Cup, Cup, Ceramic, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Mug, Tableware, Coffee cup sleeve, Pottery, Art,
Starbucks


2016

This year's cup featured the words love and joy, plus plenty of customer-created drawings, all drawn on a red background.

Cup, Coffee cup, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup sleeve, Tumbler, Mug, Ceramic, Tableware, Drink,
Starbucks


2015

2015 was the year of ombré, with a simple, two-toned red cup.

Cup, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup, Tumbler, Tableware, Coffee cup sleeve, Lid, Drink, Plastic,
Starbucks


2014

2014's "Let there be bright" theme spawned this red, brushstroke-lined cup.

Cup, Cup, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Tumbler, Drink, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware,
Starbucks


2013

This cup uses coffee cherries, coffee flowers, and ornaments to paint a holiday scene.

Cup, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup, Tumbler, Drink, Tableware, Coffee cup sleeve, Non-alcoholic beverage,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2012

A geometric snowman with blue and gold accents made its mark in 2012.

Cup, Cup, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup sleeve, Mug, Drink, Tableware, Plastic,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2011

2011's cups had a cast of characters, including a dog and boy sledding, carolers singing, and an ice skater spinning.

Cup, Cup, Red, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Drink, Tableware, Mug,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2010

This was one of the only years with a full sentence on the cup.

Cup, Cup, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Drink, Non-alcoholic beverage, Tableware, Coffee cup sleeve,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2009

Sprigs of evergreen sit behind ornaments on this year's red holiday cup.

Cup, Cup, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Drink, Tumbler, Tableware, Mug,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2008

This year's cup looked like a Christmas sweater. Hand-drawn doves, reindeer, and trees add to the coziness.

Cup, Coffee cup, Drink, Cup, Coffee cup sleeve, Drinkware, Tableware, Tumbler,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2007

2007 celebrated 10 years of holiday cups! This year's design invited customers to "pass the cheer."

Cup, Drink, Coffee cup, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware, Tumbler,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2006

This red cup was simple on top, with a full scene of carolers and musicians on the bottom.

Cup, Coffee cup, Drink, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware, Logo,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2005

Check out those adorable twinkle lights! As the cup says, it only happens once a year.

Cup, Drink, Cup, Coffee cup, Coffee cup sleeve, Drinkware, Tumbler, Tableware, Logo,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2004

Starbucks' logo transformed into a wreath this year, with snowflakes surrounding it.

Cup, Cup, Drink, Coffee cup, Tumbler, Drinkware, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2003

Stars and snowflakes make for a very merry holiday cup.

Cup, Red, Cup, Drink, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup sleeve, Tumbler, Tableware,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2002

White line art was used for the first time this year; it came back in 2005 and 2016!

Cup, Drink, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup, Tableware,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2001

2001's cup was made to look like wrapping paper! Fun fact: This was also the year the White Chocolate Mocha was introduced.

Cup, Cup, Coffee cup, Drinkware, Drink, Tumbler, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


2000

The millennium cup is one of the most distinct: it's red and gold and features a "coffeetown" village.

Drink, Cup, Coffee cup, Cup, Coffee cup sleeve, Drinkware, Tableware,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


1999

The first-ever red cup came in year three, and featured doodles like snowflakes, ice skates, and stockings on top.

Cup, Drink, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup, Tableware,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


1998

"Embrace the warmth" of this deep purple cup, decorated with snowflakes.

Purple, Cup, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup, Tumbler, Coffee cup sleeve, Tableware, Drink, Mug,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant


1997

The very first holiday cup was purple, and covered with swirling holly and tiny coffee beans. Oh, and the holiday drinks? Eggnog Lattes or Christmas Blend coffee.

Purple, Cup, Cup, Drinkware, Coffee cup, Coffee cup sleeve, Tumbler, Drink, Tableware, Mug,
Starbucks / Vineet Sawant

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