National Ice Cream Day, observed annually on the third Sunday of July, serves as a significant promotional event for the frozen dessert industry. In 2025, this holiday falls on July 20. Numerous national chains and regional brands utilize this occasion to distribute free samples, offer percentage-based discounts, and incentivize app usage through loyalty programs. The following guide details the specific offers available to U.S. consumers, eligibility requirements, and the methods for redeeming these promotions.
Major Chain Offers and App-Based Rewards
A substantial portion of the available deals for National Ice Cream Day 2025 is restricted to members of specific loyalty programs or users of brand-specific mobile applications. These offers are designed to drive digital engagement and repeat visits.
Baskin-Robbins Baskin-Robbins is structuring its promotion to span an entire week. From Sunday, July 20, through Saturday, July 26, Baskin-Robbins Rewards members are eligible for a specific financial incentive. Members who spend $20 or more on orders placed through third-party delivery services will receive a $5 discount. Additionally, some reports indicate that rewards members can earn double points on all purchases made through July 20, though this specific point multiplier is detailed in some sources as part of the broader weeklong celebration.
Dunkin’ Dunkin’ Rewards members can participate in a points-based promotion on July 20. Members who purchase any frozen beverage on the holiday will earn triple points. This offer is valid only through the Dunkin’ app or in-store purchase linked to the rewards account.
Wendy’s Wendy’s is offering a free small Frosty to its rewards members. To redeem this offer, customers must be enrolled in the Wendy’s Rewards program and utilize the restaurant’s mobile app. The giveaway includes the Classic Frosty, Frosty Swirl, or Frosty Fusion. There is a limit of one free Frosty per person, and the offer is valid only at participating locations on July 20.
Dairy Queen Dairy Queen rewards members can receive a free Dilly Bar with any app or website order of $1 or more. This is a single-use offer valid through July 20 at participating locations.
Free Samples and In-Store Giveaways
For consumers preferring in-store visits without app requirements, several brands are offering free samples or small cups during specific time windows.
Dippin’ Dots Dippin’ Dots is executing a multi-tiered promotion on July 20. * Free Mini Cup: Participating franchise and shopping center locations will give away a free mini cup of ice cream during a two-hour window. The specific timing of this window varies by location; consumers are advised to contact their local shop for exact times. * Souvenir Cup: The first 100 guests at each participating location will receive a free souvenir take-home cup in addition to the free mini cup, while supplies last. * Online Discount: Customers shopping at dippindots.com can receive 25% off their online order using the promo code NICD25 (some sources list NICD2025).
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Jeni’s is offering a free product addition rather than a free scoop. On July 20, guests can add Jeni’s new Sundae Fudge Sauce—a rich chocolate sauce with a hint of sea salt—to any scoop shop order for free.
Marble Slab Creamery Marble Slab Creamery offers a loyalty program that provides "surprise offers" every Sunday in July. On July 20, loyalty members will receive a free small Ice Cream offer, which is valid for seven days from receipt.
The Social Cow The Social Cow, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is utilizing a sticker-based giveaway. On July 20, the shop will place stickers on the bottom of some cups. Finding a sticker can result in prizes such as free ice cream scoops or gift cards.
Purchase-Required Deals and Percentage Discounts
Some retailers offer discounts that require a purchase or are structured as a percentage off the total bill.
Baskin-Robbins (Delivery Discount) As noted, Baskin-Robbins offers a $5 discount on $20 orders via third-party delivery apps. This requires a purchase to trigger the discount.
Dippin’ Dots (Online Discount) While Dippin’ Dots offers free samples in-store, their online store offers a 25% discount on all orders using the promo code, requiring an online purchase.
Wendy’s The free Frosty at Wendy’s requires the customer to be a rewards member and use the app, though no monetary purchase is technically required to redeem the specific Frosty coupon if available in the app, though the source text mentions the offer generally without a purchase requirement for the Frosty itself.
Regional and Specific Location Promotions
Certain offers are specific to geographic regions or individual franchise decisions.
San Diego County In San Diego County, consumers can find specific participating locations. As always with franchise-owned businesses, the advice is to call ahead to confirm participation. Baskin-Robbins in this region is noted to be starting its weeklong celebration on Sunday, July 20.
Charlotte, North Carolina Aside from The Social Cow, the Charlotte area has specific details regarding Dippin’ Dots. For example, the Carolina Place location is participating in the free mini cup giveaway from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on July 20.
Digital Coupons and Third-Party Integrations
Chuck E. Cheese A unique cross-promotion exists for National Ice Cream Day. Chuck E. Cheese customers can obtain a free cup of Chuck E.’s Cookie Crunch Dippin’ Dots. This requires the use of a digital coupon available through the Chuck E. Cheese app or system.
DoorDash For users of third-party delivery platforms, DoorDash DashPass members can save $5 off two Ben & Jerry’s pints on grocery and convenience orders placed on July 20.
Gopuff Between July 20 and July 27, Gopuff is running offers of up to 30% off select products from brands including Jeni’s Ice Cream, Unilever, Dreyers, Mars Wrigley, FatBoy Ice Cream, Halo Top, and others.
Terms, Conditions, and Eligibility
Understanding the terms of these promotions is essential for successful redemption.
Loyalty Membership The majority of high-value offers (free scoops, substantial discounts) require active membership in a brand’s loyalty program. For Wendy’s, Dunkin’, Dairy Queen, and Marble Slab, this necessitates downloading the specific brand app and creating an account prior to July 20.
Time-Sensitive Windows Dippin’ Dots operates on a strict two-hour window for their free mini cup giveaway. Consumers must verify the start and end times with their local store, as these are determined by individual franchise owners.
Purchase Requirements * No Purchase Necessary: Dippin’ Dots free mini cup, Jeni’s free sauce, and Wendy’s free Frosty (for rewards members) generally do not require a purchase to receive the free item, though the Wendy's offer is contingent on app membership. * Purchase Required: Baskin-Robbins $5 off $20 requires a minimum spend of $20. Wendy’s free Frosty is sometimes listed with a "with any purchase" requirement in broader lists, but the specific source data provided clarifies it is for rewards members via the app.
Supply Limitations Many giveaways, particularly the souvenir cups at Dippin’ Dots ("first 100 people") and sticker prizes at The Social Cow, are available only while supplies last. Arriving early is recommended.
Conclusion
National Ice Cream Day 2025 offers a variety of opportunities for consumers to enjoy free or discounted frozen treats. The most reliable method for securing these deals is to ensure active membership in loyalty programs for major chains like Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin’, Wendy’s, and Dairy Queen. For those seeking no-purchase-required samples, Dippin’ Dots and Jeni’s provide specific in-store incentives on July 20. Consumers should always verify participation and specific hours with their local franchise locations, as independent ownership can result in variations in promotion execution.