Get your spoons ready because National Ice Cream Day arrives this Sunday, July 19, bringing a wave of freebies and discounts across the country. This annual tradition dates back to 1984 when President Ronald Reagan officially designated the third Sunday of July as a day to celebrate the frozen treat, coinciding with National Ice Cream Month. While tastes vary by region, recent data from Instacart confirms that vanilla remains the reigning champion of American palates, holding the top spot in every state and D.C., followed closely by favorites like chocolate and cookie dough.
For those looking to satisfy their cravings without breaking the bank, several major chains are rolling out aggressive promotions. Friendly’s is leading the charge by offering every guest a free cone or dish on Sunday with no purchase necessary. Similarly, Dippin’ Dots is giving away free mini cups at participating locations during a special two hour window, along with a discount code for online orders. Dairy Queen rewards members can snag a free Dilly Bar with any purchase of at least one dollar via their app, while Insomnia Cookies guests can grab a free two scoop cup with any five dollar spend through the weekend.
Fast food enthusiasts have plenty of options as well, particularly at Wendy’s where reward members get early access on Sunday to one dollar Frostys before the deal opens to everyone else starting Monday. For those who prefer high end pints at home, DoorDash DashPass members can save four dollars when buying two pints of Haagen-Dazs through July 22. Meanwhile, luxury brands continue to see growth as consumers pivot toward premium and health conscious options from labels like Van Leeuwen and Rebel.
Beyond the immediate handouts, there are opportunities for bigger wins throughout the holiday period. Cold Stone Creamery is wrapping up its National Ice Cream Week Giveaway with a final drawing ending July 22, where lucky winners could walk away with substantial gift cards and themed merchandise. From Graeter’s celebrating its 156th anniversary with discounted sugar cones to Baskin Robbins offering future buy-one-get-one deals for its loyalists, there are countless ways to join in on the festivities this summer.
