The 2026 National Ice Cream Day is approaching fast (✨ Sunday, July 19th), and you’ll love the chance to enjoy great National Ice Cream Day freebies and deals before they melt away like a sundae on a hot day! 🍨

Updated July 17, 2026: This page includes confirmed 2026 National Ice Cream Day deals plus clearly marked past offers that may return closer to July 19.

Check out the delicious National Ice Cream Day 2026 offers and plan to enjoy a free or discounted scoop to stay cool in the intense July heat! In addition to deals at national locations, be sure to find out whether your favorite locally owned places have special offers for Ice Cream Day.

 

National Ice Cream Day Promotions 2026🍦

The 2026 National Ice Cream Day is almost here, landing on Sunday, July 19, and the best freebies and discounts are the kind of small summer wins that disappear fast. Bookmark this page for confirmed 2026 offers, plus past deals that may return as we get closer to the big day.

Look for National Ice Cream Day deals from national chains and local shops alike. A free cone, discounted scoop, or fun bonus treat can be a very welcome way to cool off in July.

 

National Ice Cream Day, Explained

National Ice Cream Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate a classic summer treat. It connects to National Ice Cream Month, which was first recognized in July 1984, and the holiday continues each year as an unofficial tradition that ice cream shops and brands still love to celebrate.

 

What is National Ice Cream Day?

For people wondering, “What is National Ice Cream Day?” it’s a day that celebrates all things ice cream!

National Ice Cream Day is a yearly celebration of ice cream and all the fun that comes with it. It is simple, cheerful, and usually a good reason to watch for freebies, discounts, and limited-time offers. 🍨

 

When is National Ice Cream Day?

National Ice Cream Day falls on the third Sunday in July each year. In 2026, that means Sunday, July 19. Plus, the entire month of July is known as National Ice Cream Month. 

Look for great deals all month, but the best deals usually fall on National Ice Cream Day.

Most offers are announced just a few days before the holiday, so it is worth checking back as the date gets closer. Mark your calendars and bookmark this page for new 2026 Ice Cream Day freebies and offers. 🍦🍨

 

Best National Ice Cream Day Deals 2026

It is a good day to keep an eye out for 2026 National Ice Cream Day offers from your favorite ice cream shops. Many freebies and discounts are announced right before the holiday, and this section will be updated as new deals are added for Sunday, July 19, 2026. 😍

 ✅ Confirmed 2026 Offers ✅

• Alden’s Organic Ice Cream: enter to win FREE Alden’s Organic Ice Cream for a Year (contest ends 8/31/2026)
• Ample Hills Creamery (NY): National Ice Cream Day block party with balloons, music, and face painting on July 19th
• Baskin Robbins: Baskin-Robbins Rewards members get 31% off scoops on every 31st day of the month (valid 7/31/2026, and 8/31, 10/31, and 12/31)
• Ben & Jerry’s – Great Summer Bar Drop
  • Join the hunt for the Golden Stick-et for your chance to WIN a year of FREE Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Bars
  • Visit a 2026 Great Summer Bar Drop roaming Ice Cream Bar-ty and get NEW Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Bar giveaways in: Boston (June 20 – 22), Miami (July 10 – 12), Los Angeles (July 24 – 26), Seattle (August 7 – 9), and NYC (August 21 – 23)
• Big Papa’s Creamery (NY): Sunday, July 19th, from 12 – 10 pm, enjoy specials including FREE Toppings, BOGO 1/2 Milkshakes, B2G1 Cookie Sandwiches, exclusive limited-time flavors, and enter to win FREE Ice Cream for the remainder of the 2026 season 🌟
• Bruster’s Ice Cream
  • Get a FREE Doggie Sundae for Dogs (ongoing offer)
  • Get a FREE Baby Cone for Kids less than 40 inches tall (ongoing offer)
  • Enter to win FREE Ice Cream for a Year in Bruster’s 2026 SWEETstakes (once per day from July 1 – July 31, 2026)
• Carvel: enter to win one of 500 FREE Small Carvelanche desserts in the Dessert Disaster giveaway (enter before July 24)
• Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream: buy one, get one free in-store at participating locations on July 19th
• Chuck E. Cheese: visit the website to find participating locations and get a coupon for a FREE cup of Dippin’ Dots redeemable on 7/19/2026 🍧
• Cold Stone Creamery: Follow Instagram to see specials all week long for Ice Cream Week
  • On 7/13, 10 winners will score a $70 Cold Stone gift card via Instagram contest
  • On 7/14, 5 winners will score a $100 Cold Stone gift card via Instagram contest
  • On 7/15, 3 winners will score a $150 Cold Stone gift card via Instagram contest
  • On 7/16, 3 winners will score a $250 Cold Stone gift card via Instagram contest
  • On 7/19, 5 winners will win FREE Ice Cream for a Year + Cold Stone Swag
• Dairy Queen: DQ App users will receive an offer for a FREE Dilly Bar with an $1 app order (valid 7/13/2026 – 7/19/2026)
• Deep Freeze (MN): enter to win a $50 Deep Freeze gift certificate (enter daily through 7/23/2026 at 4 pm)
• Dippin’ Dots: get a FREE mini cup of Dippin’ Dots during a two-hour promo window – check with your local store to learn the local giveaway hours (valid 7/19/2026 only) 🍧
• Friendly’s: Friendly’s Fan Club Rewards members get a FREE scoop of Friendly’s signature ice cream
• Goldbelly: save up to 40% on online purchases of ice cream during the annual ice cream sale in July
• Graeter’s Ice Cream: reward members get single-dip sugar cones for only $1.56 and 10% off online orders w/ code ICECREAMDAY10 from 7/17/2026 – 7/19/2026
• Häagen-Dazs: Sundae Funday Club where rewards members enjoy buy one, get one free on Sundae Series desserts (valid Sundays: 7/12, 7/19, 7/26)
• Handel’s Ice Cream: the first 250 guests on Sunday, July 19th receive a FREE Handel’s hat w/ purchase of ice cream item
• Insomnia Cookies
  • Get FREE delivery w/ $15+ orders and code SWEETSUMMER (unknown expiration)
  • Spend $5+ between 7/17/2026 and 7/19/2026 and get a FREE cup of Insomnia Cookies Ice Cream
• Jeni’s Ice Creams: get a FREE pint w/ purchase of 5 pints with code FREEPINT (ends 7/10/2026)
• Kilwins: enter for a chance to win Free Ice Cream for a Year via Instagram sweepstakes (enter between 7/19/2026 and 7/31/2026)
• Lofty Pursuits (FL): local residents can enter to compete as youth or adult in the 15th annual Lofty Pursuits Ice Cream Eating Contest for the chance to win a gift card on July 19th
• Marble Slab Creamery
  • Enter to win a $50 Marble Slab Creamery gift card via Instagram contest through 7/31/2026
  • Exclusive sweet surprises for loyalty members using the app through 7/31/2026
• McConnell’s Ice Creams: get 15% off sitewide for National Ice Cream Day from 7/17/2026 – 7/19/2026
• Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: first 50 guests will receive a FREE 5 oz of the Descendants Cinnamon Candy Apple Mix (begins at 3 pm on 7/17/2026)
• Monkey Joe’s: children get a FREE ice cream cup w/ paid admission while supplies last
• Museum of Ice Cream (MA): get one of 1,000 FREE Dunkin’ Ice Cream Cake Donuts on Sunday, July 19th at Museum of Ice Cream Boston
• Nespresso
  • get a FREE lilac tote bag, summer ice cube tray, and a Sleeve of Samra Togetherness Blend Coffee w/ 20+ Vertuo sleeves and code TOTE2026 (exp 7/23/2026)
  • get a FREE lilac tote bag, summer ice cube tray, and a Sleeve of  Vaniglia Decaf Coffee. w/ 25+ original sleeves and code TOTE26 (exp 7/23/2026)
  • get a free Aeroccino XL with new $150+ AutoReplenish orders (exp 7/30/2026)
  • plus, add FREE samples with each online order
• Oberweis: new High Protein Ice Cream arrives on National Ice Cream Day
• PETCO: 🐶 get FREE Pup Cups of ice cream for dogs in-store 🐾 on 7/19/2026 🐕🐩
• Protein Pints: Enter to win over $5,000 in cash and prizes in the Golden Pint Scavenger Hunt on July 19th (clues drop daily beginning on July 16th at 11 am)
• Purple Door Ice Cream (WI): FREE Star-Spangled Ice Cream Sundaes in MLB Star-Spangled Sundae helmets for the first 500 guests on July 3, 2026
• RaceTrac: enter to win prizes in the Fuel Your Thirst game, including $3,000 in gift cards or a FREE daily fountain or frozen drink for a year (enter through 8/4/2026)
• Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream (MO): enjoy 3 great specials all day long on July 19th, 2026!
  • get 50% off of dirty sodas
  • get up to 3 FREE toppings with purchase of a regular or larger scoop
  • buy 2 dipsticks, get one free
• South Mountain Creamery (MD): watch or compete to win FREE Ice Cream for a Year in the 5th Annual Sundae Summit Challenge: Ice Cream Eating Contest on Saturday, 7/18/2026, at 12 noon
• Steak ‘N Shake: get half-priced shakes and drinks on weekdays from 2 – 4 pm (ongoing offer)
• Sugarfina
  • get 1 FREE candy cube w/ $75+ purchase and code SPEND75 (unknown expiration)
  • get 3 FREE candy cubes w/ $125+ purchase and code SPEND125 (unknown expiration)
  • get 5 FREE candy cubes w/ $175+ purchase and code SPEND175 (unknown expiration)
• SweetFrog: reward members get 50 bonus points with $25+ purchases (from 7/15/2026 – 7/31/2026)
• Wendy’s
  • Wendy’s Reward Members get a small classic Frosty for $1 in the app on 7/19/2026
  • all guests get a small classic Frosty for $1 from 7/20/2026 to 8/23/2026
• Whole Foods
  • Amazon Prime members get 50% off selected ice cream and frozen desserts (exp 7/7/2026)
  • Amazon Prime members get a FREE 30-day trial of unlimited grocery delivery for $25+ orders
• Yogurtland: Real Reward members get 20% off in-store purchases on the 20th of every month (valid 7/20/2026, 8/20, 9/20, etc)

Offers are valid at participating locations and subject to change. Please check with your preferred location to make sure they participate in the Ice Cream Day deals. 🐮🐄🥛🍦🍨

 

More Ice Cream Deals Worth Watching

⏳ Expected 2026 Offers ⏳

These ice cream brands have consistently shared offers over the years, so we’re expecting to see announcements closer to National Ice Cream Day on July 19th.

• Bubbies Ice Cream: enter to win your choice of 6 FREE boxes of Bubbies via Instagram and TikTok contests ( watching for 2026 )
• Burger King: Royal Perks members get a FREE Soft Serve w/ $1+ purchase ( watching for 2026 )
• Culver’s: enter Culver’s Road Trip to Delicious Sweepstakes for a chance to win $20,000 and other prizes ( watching for 2026 )
• Dunkin’: Dunkin’ Rewards members get medium Dunkin’ Refreshers for $3 ( watching for 2026 )
• Salt and Straw Ice Cream: special offers for Ice Cream Week
• Twistee Treat USA: enjoy fun games and prizes on National Ice Cream Day

 

🕘 Potential 2026 Offer Examples 🕘

These brands have offered fun promotions and events during previous holidays. Stay tuned to find out if there will be ice cream day offers for 2026!

• IKEA: members enjoy $1 kids’ dairy-based vanilla or plant-based strawberry soft ice cones ( past offer example )
• Mootime Creamery (CA): enter to win a FREE MooTime Cooler Bag and flavor of the month pints for a year via Instagram ( past offer example ) 
• Museum of Ice Cream (IL, NY, TX): visit for FREE Ice Cream, FREE sprinkle pool, unique swag, and more ( past offer example )
• Nescafé: enter to win an Affogato Kit that includes NESCAFÉ Gold Espresso Intense Coffee, a free pint of ice cream, a recipe card, two glass coffee mugs, and two spoons  ( past offer example )
• Salty Paws (WI): Treat your dog at the first Doggie Ice Cream Shop in the country with a Free Topping ( past offer example )

 

Ice Cream Deals Calendar

National Ice Cream Day is not the only time to score a sweet treat. A few shops offer free cones, frozen yogurt, or other ice cream perks year-round, so it is worth keeping an eye out for more chances to save.

 

Everyday Ice Cream Deals

⭐ No need to wait for these ice cream offers that are available all year!

• Bruster’s Ice Cream: get a FREE doggie sundae for your dog every day 🐶
• Bruster’s Ice Cream: get a FREE baby cone for kids less than 40 inches tall every day 👶
• Steak ‘N’ Shake: get 50% off shakes and drinks on weekdays from 2 pm – 4 pm 🥤
• Twistee Treat USA: get a FREE vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry kiddie cone when you show you follow Twistee Treat USA on social media on Twistee Tuesday (the first Tuesday of every month) 🍦

 

Additional Ice Cream Holidays

📅 Some shops also celebrate other frozen treat holidays during the year, including:

• February: TCBY National Frozen Yogurt Day BOGO🍦
• March: Rita’s FREE Italian Ice on the 1st day of Spring 🍧
• March: Dairy Queen FREE cone day 🍦
• March: Bruster’s PJ Day FREE cone offer
• April: Ben & Jerry’s FREE Mini Cone Day🍦
• May: Häagen-Dazs FREE Cone Day 🍦
• May: Culver’s “Scoops of Thanks” days 🍨
• June: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day on June 7 🍫
• July: National Hot Fudge Sundae Day on July 25 🍫
• August: National Soft Ice Cream Day on August 19🍦
• November: National Sundae Day on November 11🍨

Check participating locations near you, since offers can vary by store. You can also get extra dessert offers by signing up for e-newsletters, loyalty programs, or apps.

The fun doesn’t have to end once the annual Ice Cream Day event has ended. It’s easy to enjoy ice cream at home, whether you make it yourself or order it from a store. If you want to try making your own, you’ll be surprised that all it takes is an ice cream maker and a few simple ingredients!

 

Enjoying Ice Cream at Home

Ice cream does not have to be a one-day celebration. These picks make it easy to enjoy a small frozen treat moment at home, whether you are making it yourself or upgrading a store-bought scoop.

Ice Cream Makers

Choose from a variety of ice cream makers that best suit your family’s needs.

• Nostalgia Ice Cream Maker, a vintage-looking option with an easy electric design for homemade frozen treats.
• Double-Insulated Ice Cream Making Machine that skips the ice and makes frozen desserts in about 20 minutes.

 

Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

Take a shortcut to the best-tasting ice cream at home with highly rated books that include instructions and illustrations on how to make great ice cream at home!

• Ben and Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream and Dessert Book, with more than 90 unique recipes and flavors!
• The Perfect Scoop, a highly rated book with over 200 recipes for ice cream, sorbets, gelatos, and more.

 

Ice Cream Add-Ons

Whether you start with a straight scoop of vanilla or a mix of different flavors, these ice cream toppings take your treats to the next level.

• Ghirardelli premium chocolate and caramel sauces, easy for sundaes, coffee, and desserts.
• Peanut Brittle Crunch Topping, a fun way to add color and crunch.

 

Ice Cream Accessories

These accessory items celebrate the fun spirit of ice cream.

• Strawberry Ice Cream Scented Candles, for a playful gift or home scent.
• Ice Cream Cone Planter, a cute indoor or outdoor décor piece.
• Glow-in-the-Dark Ice Cream Blanket, for a cozy, whimsical touch.
• Mini Ice Cream Erasers, a fun and colorful little desk add-on.
• Ice Cream Car Air Freshener, vanilla-scented and easy to toss in the car.

 

National Ice Cream Day FAQ

Here are quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about National Ice Cream Day.

• When is National Ice Cream Day in 2026? National Ice Cream Day is on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
• What is National Ice Cream Day? It is a fun unofficial holiday that celebrates ice cream and usually brings a mix of freebies, discounts, and limited-time offers.
• Are National Ice Cream Day deals only available on one day? Not always. Some offers appear a few days before the holiday, and a few run through the end of July.
• Do local shops participate too? Yes, many local ice cream shops and small chains offer their own specials, so it is worth checking nearby spots as well.
• How often is this page updated? It is updated as new 2026 offers are confirmed, so readers can check back as the holiday gets closer.

 

Final Scoop

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Do you also enjoy celebrating these fun national food holidays while enjoying great deals?

• 🧀 National Queso Day Offers
• ☕ National Coffee Day Offers
• 🎉 National Cinnamon Roll Day Offers

Which ice cream offers are you craving the most this year? 🍦🍨