Get ready for FREE ice cream! National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 19, 2026, and restaurants and ice cream shops are celebrating with free cones, Dilly Bars, Dippin’ Dots, milkshake deals and more.
Most offers are available at participating locations while supplies last. We’ll keep updating this list as more 2026 deals are announced!
Friendly’s – FREE Ice Cream
Stop by Friendly’s on Sunday, July 19, and get a completely FREE ice cream cone or dish! No purchase, coupon or rewards membership is required. Available for dine-in or carryout while supplies last.
Dippin’ Dots – FREE Mini Cup
Participating Dippin’ Dots locations will give away FREE mini cups in any flavor on July 19. The giveaway is available during a special two-hour window that varies by location.
Check the participating-location list before heading out so you know your store’s exact giveaway time.
Chuck E. Cheese – FREE Dippin’ Dots
Chuck E. Cheese is offering a FREE birthday-size Dippin’ Dots treat on July 19. No purchase or membership is required, but you will need to show the online coupon. Valid at participating locations while supplies last. Limit one per guest.
Dairy Queen – FREE Dilly Bar
From July 13 through July 19, DQ Rewards members can get a FREE Dilly Bar with an app order of $1 or more.
Add a Dilly Bar and at least $1 in qualifying items to your order, then apply the offer under the Deals tab. Limit one redemption per person.
Petco – FREE Doggy Ice Cream
Dogs can celebrate too! Stop by a participating Petco store on July 19 for a FREE doggy ice cream cup. Store participation varies, and the offer is limited to one per dog while supplies last.
Marble Slab Creamery – FREE Small Ice Cream
Slab Happy Rewards members can look for an offer for a FREE small cup of ice cream on July 19. No purchase is required. Check the Marble Slab app for your reward before visiting.
Menchie’s – FREE Frozen Yogurt
Celebrate a little early! On Friday, July 17 at 3 PM, the first 50 guests at participating Menchie’s locations can get their first 5 ounces of frozen yogurt and toppings FREE. You’ll pay the difference if your cup weighs more than 5 ounces.
Häagen-Dazs – Buy One Sundae, Get One FREE
Häagen-Dazs Shops Rewards members can buy one Sundae Series dessert and get a second one FREE on July 19.
Download the Häagen-Dazs app or join the rewards program to receive the offer. Show the app or your rewards QR code at a participating shop. The offer is single-use and available while supplies last.
Del Taco – BOGO FREE Shakes
From July 17 through July 19, Del Yeah! Rewards members can buy one regular shake and get a second regular shake FREE. Look for the offer in your Del Taco account.
Cold Stone Creamery – $5 Off $10
My Cold Stone Rewards members can get $5 off a purchase of $10 or more throughout July. Text LOVEIT26 to 568348 by July 31 to have the offer loaded to your rewards account.
New rewards members who join during July will also receive an additional $5 reward.
Potbelly – Half-Price Shakes
Potbelly Perks members can get a half-price shake with a purchase of $5 or more. The offer is available after 2 PM on Fridays and all day Saturday and Sunday through August 2—including National Ice Cream Day.
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar – $5 Milkshakes
Dine in at Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar on July 19 and enjoy any hand-spun milkshake for just $5 all day. The offer includes classic shakes, specialty shakes and the shake of the day at participating locations.
History of National Ice Cream Day
National Ice Cream Day started in 1984 when Congress passed a joint resolution recognizing July as National Ice Cream Month and July 15, 1984, as National Ice Cream Day.
President Ronald Reagan made it official by signing Proclamation 5219 on July 9, 1984. The original celebration was only designated for 1984, but ice cream shops and fans continued the tradition. National Ice Cream Day is now celebrated annually on the third Sunday in July.
National Ice Cream Day FAQ
When is National Ice Cream Day in 2026?
National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 19, 2026. It is celebrated on the third Sunday in July each year.
Is National Ice Cream Day always on July 19?
No. The date changes each year because the celebration always falls on the third Sunday in July.
Is July National Ice Cream Month?
Yes! July was originally designated National Ice Cream Month in 1984. National Ice Cream Day takes place in the middle of the month-long celebration.
Where can I get free ice cream in 2026?
Confirmed 2026 offers include free ice cream at Friendly’s, Dairy Queen, Dippin’ Dots, Chuck E. Cheese, Marble Slab Creamery and Petco for dogs. Additional restaurants may announce offers closer to July 19.
Do I need a rewards account?
Some offers require a free rewards account or restaurant app. Dairy Queen, Marble Slab Creamery, Häagen-Dazs, Del Taco and Cold Stone Creamery have rewards requirements. Friendly’s and participating Dippin’ Dots locations have offers that do not require a membership.
Are the deals available at every location?
No. Most offers are only available at participating locations and may be limited while supplies last. Check the restaurant’s app or contact your local store before visiting.
Are all the deals available throughout the day?
No. Some giveaways have limited hours. Dippin’ Dots offers its free mini cups during a special two-hour window that varies by location. Always check the offer details before heading out.
Can I claim more than one National Ice Cream Day freebie?
Yes! You can visit multiple participating businesses and claim different offers as long as you meet each deal’s requirements. Individual businesses may limit their offer to one redemption per person.
