Celebrate National Ice Cream Day 2023 (July 16) with these freebies and deals. Deals and freebies are subject to change.
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Sunday, July 16, 2023 is National Ice Cream Day. Yup, there’s a day for everything it seems. But this one will make ice cream lovers rejoice because there are a bunch of ice cream shops that with have free treats on Sunday.
To help you out, we put together this list of the best National Ice Cream Day Freebies and Deals.
Just a little history on this holiday. The month of July is National Ice Cream month, and National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July every year. So, the date of National Ice Cream Day varies, but the day of it stays the same. Then President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation declaring National Ice Cream Day in 1984, and Americans have been celebrating it ever since.
National Ice Cream Day is just one of the fun National Days that restaurants and shops celebrate annually. Check out our list of the Top 20+ National Days For Freebies And Deals to make sure you don’t miss any fun days this year.
National Ice Cream Day Freebies & Deals
Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may make a small commission if you use them.
We only added shops and stores if they were a national chain or a large regional chain. Your local store may be having its own National Ice Cream Day deals, but this list would get too overwhelming if we included all of those.
Alden’s Ice Cream
In celebration of National Ice Cream Day, Alden’s Ice Cream is hosting a huge giveaway here.
One lucky winner will win free ice cream for a year from Alden’s Organic, a YETI Roadie 24 Cooler, a Pendleton Wool Blanket with leather carrier, and more.
Baskin-Robbins
From July 16 until July 22, get $5 off any purchase of $20 or more with the promo code SEIZETHEYAY at checkout via DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates. This promo code is also valid on Baskin-Robbins app orders.
Carvel
Get $5 off $25+ orders placed using DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats at participating Carvel locations.
Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone is loading a coupon in the chain’s app on July 14.
I don’t have the mobile app, and no info about what it is has been leaked, but I know it’s valid through July 16.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is encouraging everyone to download the DQ app before July 16. The chain won’t say why, so it’s a mystery.
Last year, the deal was $1 off any size dipped cone, so that’s the rumor for this year.
Dippin’ Dots
Get a free mini cup of Dippin’ Dots during a two-hour window. It seems like that window is shop specific, so be sure to check with your local Dippin’ Dots locations to find out their participating times.
Friendly’s
The first 88 guests at each location will receive $.88 single scoop cones, a free limited-edition t-shirt, and a coupon for a complimentary Happy Endings Sundae on their next visit. All guests will receive a free Monster Mash tattoo.
Goldbelly
Save up to 30% off ice cream deliveries when you shop through the ice cream shop page here.
Graeter’s Ice Cream
All Graeter’s Sweet Rewards members have an offer in their accounts to get a $1.53 Single-Dip Sugar Cone. It’s redeemable once and valid all month long.
The stores are also holding an annual coloring contest. Completed entries will get a free kid’s sugar cone. Get a coloring sheet at your closest participating location or download it here.
Ibotta
There are over a dozen deals on ice cream and frozen treats via the Ibotta app, including BOGO Oreo ice cream, BOGO Kit Kat ice crema, and more.
Insomnia Cookies
Get a free scoop of ice cream with any purchase in store or via a delivery app, from July 14 to 16.
Marble Slab Creamery
Loyalty members can get one free small ice cream. The offer should be loaded to your account via the shop’s app.
Shake Shack
From 2 pm to 5 pm, get BOGO shakes on app or online orders with the code SHAKEITUP. This is valid during the whole month of July.
Whole Foods Market
Get 35% off ice cream and frozen treats through July 18. Even better, Amazon Prime Members can save an additional 10% off. Amazon Prime deals are subject to change at any time.
Yogurtland
Rewards members will get double points on all orders placed on National Ice Cream Day.
National Ice Cream Day: Frequently Asked Questions
National Ice Cream Day 2022 is Sunday, July 17.
In 1984, President Reagan declared the third Sunday in July would always be known as National Ice Cream Day.
In fact, he declared all of July to be National Ice Cream Month (although ice cream shops seem to only celebrate today and this week, not the whole month).
Celebrate by eating vanilla ice cream on July 23. Yes, vanilla ice cream has its own national day on July 23. Ice cream shops generally don’t celebrate this specific holiday, probably because it happens so soon after National Ice Cream Day.
Ice Cream Dessert Recipes
If you can’t get out for National Ice Cream Day, no worries. You can make your own ice cream desserts at home.
Take a look at our favorites below:
- Affogato
- Chrissy’s Famous Ice Cream Cake
- Three Ingredient Chocolate Caramel Milkshakes
- Sugar-Free Weight Watchers Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
And, if you want to be in the ice cream spirit but without actual ice cream, check out our Nutter Butter Ice Cream Cone Cookies.
Where To Buy Ice Cream:
If you’re local to me, check out all The Best Ice Cream Shops In Wilmington, NC and buy your ice cream at one of those locations to celebrate. Some of the chains on that list are participating in National Ice Cream Day promotions this year.
Which of these sweet deals are you celebrating National Ice Cream Day with this year? Be sure to let us know in the comments.