
National Ice Cream Day: How to celebrate
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with this delicious magic shell recipe.
Problem Solved
National Ice Cream Day this year is on July 20, and according to one source, vanilla reigns supreme yet again.
Data from Instacart published on July 9 shows that vanilla remained American’s most-ordered ice cream flavor on the platform in summer 2024. It was also the No. 1 flavor in summer 2023, according to previous data from the delivery platform.
Instacart said vanilla accounted for 27% of all ice cream sold last summer, “highlighting its versatility as a base for endless sundae options.” Chocolate and cookies and cream were second and third on the list, respectively.
According to the data, which was collected between May 27 and Sept. 2, 2024, pineapple coconut, pistachio and green tea are three flavors quickly rising in popularity. Pineapple coconut saw a 37% increase in popularity from 2023 to 2024, Instacart said.
President Ronald Reagan in 1984 declared National Ice Cream Day would be celebrated on the third Sunday of July and also declared July as National Ice Cream Month.
Here’s where you can scoop up some sweet deals and discounts on the sweet treat this year.
Dairy Queen
DQ Rewards loyalty program members can get a free Dilly Bar with any order of $1 or more through July 20.
 To get the deal, download the DQ App and sign up for DQ Rewards. Orders can be made on the app or website.
Baskin-Robbins
From July 20-26, Baskin-Robbins Rewards members can get $5 off any order of $20 or more in the BR app, in store or through delivery apps.
To join the loyalty program and be eligible for the deal, sign up in the BR app.
Halo Top
Calling all Bens, Jerrys and even Van Leeuwens: Halo Top is giving away free pints of ice cream to anyone who shares a name with a famous ice cream brand — including their competitors.
Through July 20, anyone who shares a first, middle or last name with an ice cream brand can redeem their pint at halotop.com/icecreamday.
National Ice Cream Day: More deals, freebies for scoops, cups and cones
- 16 Handles: Redeem a free treat worth up to $5 on Sunday, July 20, by downloading the 16 Handles app and visiting a participating location to claim.
- Breyers: Publix and Kroger will have buy one, get one deals for the week of July 30. Select Albertsons divisions will also have online discounts.Â
- Bruster’s: Through July 31, fans can enter to win free ice cream for a year at brusters.com/sweeps/. Ten winners will be announced in August. From July 18-20, members of Bruster’s Sweet Rewards loyalty program can earn double points on all purchases.
- Chuck E. Cheese: Redeem a free small cup of Dippin’ Dots flavor Chuck E.’s Cookie Crunch on July 20 with a digital coupon available at chuckecheese.com/cookiecrunch July 20. Customers can also enter sweepstakes for a chance to win free Dippin’ Dots at Chuck E. Cheese for a year. Register at dippindots.com/chuck-e-summer-sweeps/
- Clementine’s Ice Cream: Two special flavors will be available only on July 20: “The Blonde Bombshell” inspired by Marilyn Monroe features Madagascar vanilla with hot fudge, Amarena cherries and candied peanuts. “The One-Speed Dean” inspired by James Dean includes banana pudding ice cream with candied cornflake crunch.
- Dippin’ Dots: On Sunday, July 20, customers can get a free Dippin’ Dots mini cup at 120 participating Dippin’ Dots locations. The first 100 fans at each location will also receive a free collectible souvenir cup. Online orders placed at dippindots.com on July 20 with promo code NICD2025 can also get 25% off at checkout.
- DoorDash: Grocery and convenience orders made through July 23 can get $5 off two Ben & Jerry’s pints.
- Dunkin’: Dunkin’ Rewards members get three times the points on frozen beverages on July 20. Sign up online at dunkindonuts.com/en/dunkinrewards/registration.
- Graeter’s Ice Cream: Customers get 10% off online orders for National Ice Cream Day.
- Harry Potter Shops: The first 100 customers at the New York and Chicago shops on July 20 will receive a free Butterbeer ice cream with free toppings. All other customers on July 20 get complimentary toppings with an ice cream purchase. From July 21-26, every Butterbeer purchase comes with complimentary toppings.
- Jeni’s: Free sundae fudge sauce with any scoop shop order.
- Keebler: There’s a chance to win Keebler’s National Ice Cream Day package, which includes a variety of the brand’s ice cream, sugar and waffle cones. Through July 28, follow @Keebler and comment on the sweepstakes Instagram post with your ideal Keebler cone combo to enter. Information is available at bit.ly/KeeblerNationalIceCreamDayGiveaway2025.
- Kilwins: Free ice cream for a year sweepstakes are open through July 31. To enter, follow @Kilwins on Instagram and tag a friend in the comments on the sweepstakes post. One winner will receive a Kilwins e-gift card valued at approximately $600, which is equivalent to about one large waffle cone per week for an entire year. Rules and details are available at kilwins.com/icm-sweepstakes.
- KIND: Enter the annual National Ice Cream Day giveaway on KIND’s Instagram for a chance to win a year’s supply of KIND frozen bars plus an exclusive KIND-branded cooler. Target Circle is also offering buy one, get one 50% off on KIND frozen bars through July 19.
- Klondike: Online coupons are available at Fetch, iBotta and Walmart Cash throughout July.Â
- Lidl: On Sunday, July 20, spend $40 or more in-store and enjoy a free Bon Gelati or Gelatelli frozen product. Redeem the coupon in the MyLidl app.
- Popsicle: Target, Publix and Kroger are offering buy one, get one deals throughout July.
- Salt & Straw: On Saturday, July 19, those who join Salt & Straw’s new loyalty program on its app can earn double points on any in-store purchases and order ahead pick-ups. On Sunday, July 20, every order in store and online will get a digital scratch off card to earn a free prize.
- Talenti: Target Circle is offering a buy one, get 50% off deal through July 20. Wakefern is offering two for $9 through July 20, followed by two for $10 deals through the end of July. iBotta will have additional deals through mid-August.Â
- Unilever Ice Cream brands: DoorDash DashPass members can buy two products and save $5Â through July 23.
- Yogurtland: On Sunday, July 20, Real Rewards members will earn double the points on all in-store and online orders. Sign up at yogurtland.com/register
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.Â