National Ice Cream Day is observed annually on the third Sunday of July, a designation established by former President Ronald Reagan in 1984. The holiday falls within National Ice Cream Month and serves as a focal point for retailers and brands to distribute promotional offers, free samples, and discounts. The available source material details specific deals, eligibility requirements, and distribution methods for consumers across various regions of the United States. These offers range from complimentary scoops at national chains to limited-time discounts on frozen desserts and pet-safe treats.
The following article compiles verified promotional details from the 2025 National Ice Cream Day period, focusing on freebies and transactional offers available to U.S. consumers.
National Chain Promotions and Loyalty Offers
Several national ice cream brands and retailers utilize National Ice Cream Day to drive engagement through loyalty programs and app-based offers. These promotions often require specific actions, such as signing up for a rewards account or placing an order through a digital platform.
Dairy Queen Dairy Queen offers a recurring promotion for rewards members during the holiday period. The brand provides a free Dilly Bar with any purchase of $1 or more. This offer is valid exclusively through the DQ App or the brand's website. The promotion window typically spans from July 14 through July 20. Additionally, rewards members earn double points on all purchases made during this period. The Dilly Bar consists of soft serve ice cream coated in a chocolate shell.
Friendly’s Friendly’s combines its corporate anniversary with National Ice Cream Day. The brand offers free cones or dishes of signature ice cream to Fan Club Rewards members. Customers who are not members of the rewards program can still participate by purchasing a single scoop in a cone or dish for 90 cents. This pricing reflects the brand's 90th anniversary.
Baskin-Robbins Baskin-Robbins targets rewards members with a discount rather than a free sample. Members receive $5 off all orders totaling $20 or more. This offer is valid both online and in-store from July 20 through July 26.
Dunkin’ While Dunkin’ does not serve traditional scoops of ice cream, the chain participates in the holiday by offering triple points on frozen beverages. This offer is available to Dunkin’ rewards members on July 20.
Dippin’ Dots Dippin’ Dots executes a multi-faceted promotional strategy. Participating franchise and shopping center locations host a free mini cup giveaway during a specific two-hour window; customers must check with local locations for exact timing. Furthermore, the first 100 guests at participating locations receive a free souvenir cup while supplies last. An online discount is also available using the code NICD2025, granting 25% off orders at dippindots.com.
Petco Petco extends the celebration to pet owners by distributing free doggie ice cream at participating locations. This product is formulated to be safe for canine consumption.
Regional and Local Ice Cream Shop Deals
In addition to major chains, regional grocers and local ice cream shops offer specific freebies and discounts. These deals often require in-store actions, such as checking in at kiosks or making a purchase.
Stop & Shop Stop & Shop rewards customers who check in at "Savings Station" kiosks within the supermarket between Friday and Sunday of the holiday weekend. Upon checking in, a digital coupon for a free 1.5-quart container of store-brand ice cream appears in the customer's rewards account. Flavors available through this offer include vanilla, chocolate, cookies & cream, strawberry, moose tracks, chocolate chip, and Neapolitan.
Van Leeuwen The gourmet chain Van Leeuwen offers $3 single scoops of its signature honeycomb flavor. This promotion is time-restricted, available from noon to 2 p.m. on National Ice Cream Day.
Insomnia Cookies Insomnia Cookies offers a free scoop of ice cream with any purchase of $5 or more on the holiday.
Billy Bricks Billy Bricks, a regional chain, offers a free scoop of Moo Joe’s ice cream. This offer is redeemable via the Billy Bricks mobile app at specific locations including Highwood, La Grange, Lombard Yorktown, Naperville, Oak Park, Saint Charles, and Wheaton.
Harry Potter Shop Chicago The Harry Potter Shop Chicago creates a themed experience with a limited-edition Butterbeer Sundae Bar. While the sundae bar is available from July 20 to July 26, the first 100 customers on National Ice Cream Day receive their treat for free.
Lidl US Lidl US offers a free Bon Gelati or Gelatelli frozen product to customers who spend $40 or more in-store on July 20. To redeem, customers must clip a coupon in the chain’s app.
Lion’s Choice Lion’s Choice provides a free mini cone to app users with any purchase on the holiday.
Marble Slab Creamery Loyalty members of Marble Slab Creamery receive a free small ice cream offer on July 20, which remains valid for seven days.
Digital and E-Commerce Offers
Digital platforms and grocery delivery services also participate in National Ice Cream Day, offering discounts on frozen goods.
DoorDash DashPass members can save $5 off two Ben & Jerry’s pints on grocery and convenience orders placed on July 20.
Gopuff Gopuff runs offers between July 20 and 27, including up to 30% off select products. Participating brands in this promotion include Jeni’s Ice Cream, Unilever, Dreyers, Mars Wrigley, FatBoy Ice Cream, Halo Top, and Dr.
Klondike Klondike utilizes digital coupon platforms such as Fetch, iBotta, and Walmart Cash to distribute coupons throughout the month of July.
Non-Ice Cream Related Freebies and Giveaways
The source material also identifies promotional activities for Creamsicle Day (August 14) and broader brand giveaways that extend beyond the immediate National Ice Cream Day holiday.
Creamsicle Day Creamsicle Day is celebrated on August 14. It commemorates ice cream bars covered in sherbet, traditionally vanilla ice cream with orange sherbet. While the source material notes that "some stores may give out freebies today," it does not specify which retailers participate. Activities suggested for the day include purchasing creamsicles at corner stores or supermarkets, making homemade versions, or seeking creamsicle-flavored bakery items.
Kilwins Kilwins hosts a social media sweepstakes for National Ice Cream Day. To enter, participants must follow the brand, tag a friend, and use the hashtag #Kilwins_Sweepstakes in the comments section. The prize is a Kilwins e-gift card.
Kind Kind Frozen offers two distinct promotional avenues. First, the brand hosts an Instagram giveaway through July 21, where customers can win a year’s supply of Kind Frozen and a branded cooler. Second, Kind hosts a frozen bar pop-up event in New York City on July 20 at 181 Mulberry St, between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., distributing free Kind Frozen bars and giveaways.
Mother’s Cookies and Carvel Mother’s Cookies and Carvel offer a joint giveaway. Customers can enter for the opportunity to win a Carvel gift card, with the entry period open through July 26.
Conclusion
National Ice Cream Day serves as a significant promotional event for the frozen dessert industry, offering consumers various methods to obtain free or discounted products. The primary avenues for securing these offers include joining brand loyalty programs, utilizing mobile apps, and making qualifying purchases at grocery chains or local shops. While the majority of specific deals are concentrated around the third Sunday of July, related holidays such as Creamsicle Day in August provide additional opportunities for seasonal promotions. Consumers seeking to participate should monitor brand apps and local store announcements for specific timing and eligibility requirements.