Where to get FREE ICE CREAM and DEALS on National Ice Cream Day and throughout the Month - 2021

LOOKING FOR 2022 DEALS?! See our updated post NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY 2022

Updated: 7/18/21

National Ice Cream Day is Sunday (or SUNDAE), July 18th, and every year, locations all over the US celebrate with free ice cream or discounted deals!

After some thorough research reaching out to my favorite ice cream places and stalking their Instagrams, here's the scoop on where to find your sweet treat! There are also some great events to attend, check back here throughout the month for additional updates.

Apprehensive about leaving your house? Get it delivered!

Now let me lay it all out for you…

Angelinos, check out my favorite ice cream locations in LA ranked with a map: BEST ICE CREAM SCOOP SHOPS IN LA

Also don’t miss: Where to find free treats on your birthday

FREE ICE CREAM AND DEALS ACROSS THE US AT YOUR FAVORITE SCOOP SHOP ON NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY

Check out all the offers, contests, and sweet rewards clubs to join to get free ice cream! Remember to keep checking back, we will be updating all month long!

**If you live in LA - there is a Los Angeles specific section after this one! Scroll down!

7-Eleven

The Scoop: Members of the convenience store chain's loyalty program get a free Slurpee anytime in July. One per customer.
When: Anytime in July

Alden's Ice Cream

The Scoop: Alden’s is offering a coupon for $1 off any Alden's Organic product at a retail location - must print coupon.
When: Now through August 2nd

Burger King

The Scoop: ICE CREAM MONTH - Free Vanilla Soft Serve Cup or Cone w/ $1 Purchase - sign up required.

When: Now until July 31st

Baskin-Robbins

The Scoop: For every $10 purchase on Sunday, July 18, you can snag a free ice cream-scented (chocolate mint or strawberry banana) Kinetic Sand. Doing delivery? Get $5 off orders of $20 or more from Postmates, UberEats or DoorDash.

Download the BR App for deals, mobile payment, menu, and more! When you download and login for the first time, they’ll even throw in a free scoop.

When: valid through July 31

Flavor of the Month: Beach Day! Inspired by the perfect beach day, this sweet & salty scoop has sea salted vanilla-flavored ice cream, milk chocolate flavored caramel-filled sea turtles, and a crunchy graham cracker sand swirl. Try this flavor in one of their cute Creature Creations!

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse

The Scoop: Get a free Pizookie (a deep-dish-inspired cookie) when you sign up for the restaurant's Premier Rewards Plus program any day of the year! PLUS you get another one on your birthday!

Breyers

The Scoop: Breyers® is offering a new $2 coupon and rolling out a cute “Cookie Coverage” promotion. Sign up at cookiecoverage.com for a $2 off coupon valid on any one Breyers 48 oz product. Once you sign up, the coupon link will be sent via e-mail in a few minutes.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

The Scoop: Enter the "Sweet Celebrations Contest," running through July, for a chance to win free ice cream for a year. Simply submit photos or videos celebrating with your favorite Bruster's treat.

Flavor: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel - need I say more?

Carvel

The Scoop: Try their NEW Churro Ice Cream & Churro CRUNCHIES! On July 18th aka #NationalIceCreamDay stop by and try any new Churro ice cream treat & you’ll get a sweet surprise offer card to use on your next visit! Surprise redeemable through 8/30.

But wait… there’s more! Want even more ice cream? Ten lucky Carvel fans will win free Carvel ice cream for a year! To enter for a chance to win, visit www.carvel.com/icecreamday

When: July 18th

BONUS: Wednesday is the new Sundae! Wednesdays are the best day of the week at Carvel, when you buy a classic soft ice cream sundae on Wednesday you get another FREE. So, find a BOGO buddy, and enjoy two sundaes for the price of one. Find your closest Carvel here: Locations

When: Ongoing

Cold Stone Creamery

The Scoop: Enjoy $3 off when you spend $10 or more online and use code ICECREAMDAY at checkout!

When: July 18 - 22

Sign up for the My Cold Stone Club Rewards and get a “buy one, get one free creation” coupon loaded to your account right away. You will also receive a BOGO free Creation dessert on your birthday. Receive $5 off purchases with every 50 accumulated points.

Creamistry

The Scoop: Join their free loyalty rewards program and receive exclusive offers and points towards free ice cream! Visit your local Creamistry and sign up with a Creamologist today!

Join their mailing list to receive the latest special promotions, offers, and updates! All new members will receive an exclusive offer for 10% off their next order! Sign Up

Flavor of the month: Chocolate Brownie Batter!

Dairy Queen

The Scoop: Get $1 off a dipped cone at participating locations with the DQ App on National Ice Cream Day 2021.

When: July 18th

New Flavor Alert: Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookie Blizzard

Doordash

The Scoop: Get a free pint when you order $20 or more in goodies from The Ice Cream Shop on DoorDash for National Ice Cream Day.

When: July 18th

Edy’s/Dreyers

The Scoop: Take the National Ice Cream Day quiz on their Instagram for a chance to win FREE ice cream!

When: July 12 through Friday, July 16

Friendly’s

The Scoop: Get a free medium Fribble if you're a member of the Sweet Rewards member program.
When: July 18

Also, sign up for their Sweet Rewards club and get a free medium sundae! You also get a free sundae on your birthday AND a $5 reward for every 75 points.

GELSON'S MARKETS

The Scoop: Enter store sweepstakes, running through July, to win a year of free ice cream. Two lucky winners will be selected, and no purchase necessary. Simply fill out form here, and good luck!

Goldbelly

The Scoop: Get $15 off purchases of $50 or more from Goldbelly for National Ice Cream Day with code “GetInMyBELLY.”
When: July 18

Humphrey Slocombe

The Scoop: Buy one scoop - get one FREE for a friend has returned! YES, BOGO scoops every Friday in July when you use Apple Pay. All shops.

When: Every Friday in July!

Insomnia Cookies

The Scoop: Get a free scoop of ice cream with any purchase from Insomnia Cookies in-store or online with code “ICECREAMDAY.”

When: July 18

Instacart

The Scoop: Spend $20 on Dreyer's ice cream products and get $5 off your order or free delivery.
When: Through July 31

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

The Scoop: Enter their giveaway collab Minnidip to win a pool party! See their Instagram to enter!

Summer Flavors:

WEDDING CAKE PINT - Vanilla cake with lemon, blackberries, and buttercream icing. A tiered perfection.
ROASTED PEANUT BUTTER & STRAWBERRY JAM PINT - Creamy peanut butter with a pinch of sea salt swirled with sweet-tart strawberry jam.
FLUFFERNUTTER PIE PINT - Roasted peanut butter and vanilla marshmallow ice creams side-by-side with oat pie crust pieces.

Jolly Llama

The Scoop: This is for my vegan friends: Get $0.50 off of packs of cones and sandwiches when you sign up for email updates.

Marble Slab Creamery

The Scoop: Find their surprise deal for National Ice Cream Day on Sunday if you download their app by 8 p.m. ET Saturday.

Celebrate with $5 off Ice Cream Kits this month with code ICECREAM5. Offer valid for Slab Happy Reward Members only.

When: Month of July

Slab Happy Rewards Club: Get a $5 reward once you sign up and make your first purchase. Earn one point for every $1 you spend and enjoy $5 off for every 50 points you earn. Enjoy sweet treats and rewards during special holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and much more!

McDonald's

The Scoop: Check the fast-food chain's app for coupons and freebies. And with the new rewards program after making your first purchase you will have enough points to get a free cone.

Milk Bar

The Scoop: Get a $1 soft serve with B'day Crumb for National Birthday Do Over Month, inviting everyone to celebrate the birthday they didn't get to celebrate like normal last year.
When: July 6

Monkey Joe’s

The Scoop: Get some free ice cream at Monkey Joe’s while supplies last.

When: July 18

My/Mochi

The Scoop: Enter to win free mochi ice cream in their “Mmm Face” contest on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Tiktok!

When: Now through July 18

Pressed Juicery

The Scoop: Want your ice cream fruity and plant-based? Pressed Juicery offers one plant-based soft serve with up to three toppings for just $2. Is this considered healthy ice cream?!

When: July 18

ReThink Ice Cream

The Scoop: Buy-six-get-two free deal when ordering online during National Ice Cream Month!
When: Through July 31

Salt & Straw

The Scoop: Get free shipping on Salt & Straw's ice cream. Use code NICD2021 at checkout
When: July 18

SENSODYNE

The Scoop: The toothpaste company is hosting a "Live Every Mo-Mint" sweepstakes on Twitter for same-day delivery of mint ice cream and coordinating swag. To redeem a free kit on National Ice Cream Day: tweet #LiveEveryMoMint on Sunday, July 18 starting 12AM ET. Or enter to win via this link. Participants will receive same-day delivery of ice cream, Sensodyne Rapid Relief, cooler, hat, sunglasses & beach ball.

Smitten Ice Cream

The Scoop: Smitten & Oasis by Hoopes are offering FIVE lucky winners a chance to win Ice Cream YEAR + a 1-YEAR membership to Hoopes Vineyard’s ‘The Oasis Herd’

How to enter:

Take a picture of your Smitten Ice Cream or a bottle/glass of Hoopes Vineyard Wine
Tag and follow @smittenicecream & @hoopesvineyard
Geotag the location where you take the picture
Share on your Instagram feed

The contest starts NOW & winners will be announced on July 18th - the ultimate National Ice Cream Day treat!

Sonic Drive-In

The Scoop and New Flavor: 1/2 price slushies 2-4p or anytime you order online or through the app.

Steak 'N Shake

The Scoop: 1/2 price shakes at Happy hour weekdays 2-5p at participating restaurants

Rewards Club: Download the Steak 'n Shake App and become a member of its loyalty program to get a free Specialty Milkshake with your first purchase as a club member. Sign-up details here.

TCBY

Van Leeuwen

The Scoop: I don’t know about this one, but try their new LIMITED EDITION KRAFT MACARONI & CHEESE ICE CREAM. ⁣⁣Available starting Wednesday 7/14, at all scoop shops in NY, CA, NJ & TX and on their site for nationwide shipping while scoops last. ⁣⁣

The Scoop: Order online and use code ‘ICECREAMDAY’ at checkout for 18% off of your order. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
AS AN ADDED BONUS... Join them July, 14th at 11 AM ET in Union Square Park where they will be handing out FREE scoops of this limited-edition flavor until supplies last.⁣⁣

WIENERSCHNITZEL

The Scoop: Use this coupon to get a 20-ounce Candy Shake for $3

When: Through July

Wendy’s

The Scoop: If you’re a member of Wendy’s rewards program and use their app, you can score a free small Frosty-cino or small coffee with any purchase.

Whole Foods/Instacart

The Scoop: Whole Foods is offering 35% off of ice cream and frozen desserts to Prime members, who get an extra 10% off
When: July 7-20

Yogurtland

The Scoop: Every Friday this July, check their Instagram for giveaway prizes and packages to celebrate their new Fruit Bowl Fusions!

When: Every Friday in July

Also, get double points when you purchase froyo to-go! Don’t forget to sign up for their reward program to earn free fro-yo all year long!

New Flavor: Plant-Based Big Pop Sorbet - This summery sorbet made with pineapple and real cherries is a classic ice cream truck throwback!

Your Pie

The Scoop: Your Pie is offering a free scoop of Gelato on July 18 when you download the Your Pie Rewards app before July 18. There is no purchase necessary for this offer and it is valid at participating locations.

When: July 18

Where to Get Free Ice Cream on National Ice Cream Day in LA

Live in Los Angeles? Me too! Here are some awesome places to get free ice cream in Los Angeles on National Ice Cream Day. If you don’t live in Southern California, go to the next section!

Also, see my favorite ice cream locations in LA ranked with a map: BEST ICE CREAM IN LA

Afters Ice Cream

The Scoop: Get a FREE scoop when you buy a pint of ice cream at all locations Get 2 free scoops when you buy a quart!

When: July 18

Capri Gelato and Coffee

The Scoop: Get a free Capri Brownie gelato sandwich on National Ice Cream Day!

When: July 18 - 8a-9p

Coolhaus

Coolhaus usually has a sweet deal… I’m keeping an eye out for an announcement!

THE DOLLY LLAMA

The Scoop: It's a BOGO deal on Sunday: Buy one scoop, and get one free. Among tasty options: "cookie monster" (blue ice cream with Oreos & chocolate cookie dough), cinnamon horchata, matcha green tea & salted caramel. Offer does not include vegan flavors. Locations: Downtown Los Angeles (611 S. Spring St.); Koreatown (273 S. Western Ave.); and Sherman Oaks (14545 Ventura Blvd.)

When: July 18th

Fosselman’s Ice Cream

The Scoop: Serving ice cream since 1919! New customers can get $15 off your first Doordash order using the coupon link on Instagram.

Frozen Fruit Co

The Scoop: Plant-based vegan ice cream - Enter to win their giveaway on Instagram!

Mashti Malones

The Scoop: Their new shop is open in Westwood, and they are offering an extra scoop on them to celebrate the sweetest holiday of the year.

When: July 18

McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams

The Scoop: There's a 20% off sale going on over at McConnells.com until supplies last, use coupon code JULY20 at checkout!

Also, enter to win the ultimate summer ice cream party essentials!

THE GOODS:
🎉 @mcconnellsicecreams 4 pints of McConnell’s ice cream
🎉 @browniebrittle $50 gift card
🎉 @gosupernatural 2 bottles of Rainbow Pop Sprinkles
🎉 @snackapade SMASH Stash

See their Instagram page to enter the Giveaway.

Rori's Artisanal Creamery

The Scoop: Customers can buy a single scoop for themselves and get a second for their child for FREE.
Where: Santa Barbara (38 W. Victoria St.), Montecito (1024 Coast Village Rd.), Carpinteria (751 Linden Ave.), Santa Monica (910 Montana Ave.), Camarillo (2024 Ventura Blvd.)
When: Sunday, July 18th. Hours vary by location.

ALSO, Get a free scoop on your birthday when you sign up for their rewards club!

New Flavors: Vegan Chocolate Orange (YUM) and Peach Bellini (alcohol-free)

SWEET ROSE CREAMERY

The Scoop: Join their Loyalty Program, and earn 1 point for every $1 you spent toward free treat like ice cream, toppings, pints & sundaes. New July flavors include Peach Crumble, Blueberry Muffin, Stone Fruit Sorbets & Dairy-Free Strawberry Coconut. Shops in Santa Monica and Brentwood Country Mart, Los Angeles.

Wanderlust Creamery

The Scoop: Get a double scoop for the price of a single! That’s twice as nice!

Valid at all scoop shops excluding SmorgasburgLA, cannot be combined with other offers, one cup per order.

When: July 18th

NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY EVENTS

MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM

Locations: Singapore & New York

How about a visit to the Museum of Ice Cream? Make sure you buy tickets in advance!

NEW LOCATION opens in August in Austin, Texas!

ICE CREAM DELIVERY ON NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY

Don't want to go anywhere? Don't fret, you can get ice cream delivered to your front door!

DoorDash, Uber Eats, Caviar, and Postmates will also deliver sweet ice cream from places like Carmela Ice Cream Co or Sweet Rose Creamery!

MAKE YOUR OWN ICE CREAM

I love making my own ice cream! Check out the best ice cream makers and starter kits at Williams Sonoma!

Brief History of National Ice Cream Day

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared the third week of July to be National Ice Cream Day along with July known as National Ice Cream Month by signing proclamation 5219. In this proclamation, the president called ice cream the perfect dessert and snack food and stated that over 90 percent of Americans enjoy it on a regular basis. He also stated that Americans should observe this day with activities and celebrations. So let's party, it's basically the law.

Now, let's EAT!