Where to Get Free Ice Cream (and Other Treats) on National Ice Cream Day
This year, the holiday falls on July 18.
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National Ice Cream Day, the annual holiday that celebrates the popular frozen dessert, is celebrated every year on the third Sunday in July. This year, the annual food holiday falls on Sunday, July 18. As with similar food holidays, as well as National Ice Cream Days of years past, it’s become customary for some retailers and brands to give out free food to mark the occasion.
Back in 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday of the month was dubbed National Ice Cream Day. Now, 37 years later, we continue to reap the benefits of Reagan’s designation each year.
If you love ice cream and think we could all use a free frozen dessert (or two, or three) to beat the summer heat, scroll down to read a list of chains and brands giving out free ice cream and similar treats on this Sunday.
Monkey Joe’s: The chain of children’s play spaces with locations in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin is giving out free ice cream cones on July 18. More specifically, each child will receive one free ice cream per paid admission, while supplies last.
Carvel: The chain known for its soft-serve ice cream recently unveiled its new churro flavored ice cream. Carvel is celebrating its new treat by offering customers who purchase a new churro product on July 18 a card with one of many surprise offers that can be redeemed throughout the summer. These offers include buy one, get one free sundae, buy one, get one free cup or cone, a free junior cone with any $5 (or more) purchase, and more.
DoorDash: The food delivery app is giving users an opportunity to snag free ice cream for several days. From July 15 through 18, customers can get a free pint of ice cream (or a similar ice cream item) included with orders of $20 or more. To get your freebie, simply open the DoorDash app and select DashMart or your local convenience store. Then, pick the ice cream item you want, add it to your cart, and use promo code ICECREAM at checkout. Viola!
Edy’s/Dryer’s: The big names in ice cream recently launched an entire Rocky Road collection, which customers can get for free from July 12 through July 16. Just visit the Dreyer’s Instagram account, follow its instructions and share your “perfect match” from the Rocky Road collection for the chance to try that flavor for free. No purchase necessary.
Lidl: The grocer is giving away a year’s worth of free ice cream to three lucky customers in honor of National Ice Cream Day. For details on how to enter the giveaway, click here.
Insomnia Cookies: The company known for its fresh-baked cookies is celebrating National Ice Cream Day from July 12 through 18 by offering a free scoop of ice cream with any purchase. There’s no minimum purchase required, but you do need to use the code ICECREAMDAY in-store or online for delivery in order to earn your scoop.
Your Pie: The nation’s first fast-casual pizza franchise is offering guests a free gelato on July 18. Customers who use the Your Pie app will receive a one-day redeemable offer for one free scoop of gelato valid on National Ice Cream Day. There’s no purchase necessary.
NadaMoo!: The dairy-free ice cream brand is giving two NadaFam members the chance to win a free year of its popular ice cream. For details on how you can score free dessert for a year, click here.
7-Eleven: Though it’s not technically ice cream, the convenience store chain is celebrating its birthday for the entire month of July by dropping a free small Slurpee into every 7Rewards account this month. Customers can sign up any time before July 31 to be gifted a free Slurpee that’s redeemable throughout the month.
Baskin-Robbins: The popular ice cream chain is offering free ice cream-scented Kinetic Sand with any purchase of $10 or more only on National Ice Cream Day, while supplies last. The Kinetic Sand is available in Chocolate Mint or Strawberry Banana scents.
Additionally, customers who place delivery orders can receive $5 off orders of $20 or more from July 18 through July 24 when ordering Baskin-Robbins using Uber Eats, DoorDash and Postmates.
Friendly’s: For free ice cream, simply join the Friendly's Sweet Rewards Club to snag a medium sundae free of charge.
What’s more? Since Friendly’s Founder’s Day happens to fall on July 18, customers can get a free medium Fribble through July 31. While there’s no purchase necessary, the freebie is only for members of Sweet Rewards club. However, new members who sign up before July 18 will still be able to get their hands on the free Fribble.
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