National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, 20 July 2025 presents a significant opportunity for consumers to access free samples and promotional offers from a wide array of ice cream brands and retailers. The holiday, established in 1984 by former US President Ronald Reagan, has evolved into a major promotional event for the food and beverage sector, particularly within the frozen dessert category. This article outlines the specific freebies, discounts, and loyalty programme benefits available to consumers on and around this date, based on official brand announcements and verified promotional details.
The offers detailed below primarily originate from US-based brands and retailers. While the core promotions are active on 20 July 2025, many extend through the surrounding week, from 19 to 26 July. Access to these offers frequently requires membership in a brand’s loyalty scheme, the use of a mobile application, or participation in a social media competition. Consumers should note that availability may vary by location and that terms and conditions are subject to the participating outlets.
Free Samples and Direct Freebies
A number of brands are offering direct, no-purchase-required free samples or items on National Ice Cream Day itself.
Dippin’ Dots is operating a multi-faceted promotion. Participating franchise and shopping centre locations will give away free mini cups of ice cream during a two-hour window on 20 July. The specific timing for this giveaway varies by store, and customers are advised to check with their local outlet. Furthermore, the first 100 guests at each participating location will receive a free souvenir take-home cup while stocks last.
Petco is extending the celebration to pets, offering free pup cups of ice cream in their stores. This provides a pet-friendly freebie for owners.
Halo Top has a unique, name-based promotion. Free pints of ice cream are available to individuals whose first, middle, or last name includes any part of an ice cream brand name. To claim this offer, customers must visit the Halo Top website and provide verification of their identity and name. The promotion is valid through 21 July.
Harry Potter Shops in New York and Chicago are offering a limited-edition Butterbeer Sundae Bar between 20 and 26 July. On National Ice Cream Day itself, the first 100 customers at each location will receive a free Butterbeer ice cream with up to five free toppings.
McDonald’s plans to give away free small vanilla cones to customers who use the McDonald’s app on 20 July.
Handel’s is celebrating its 80th birthday by giving away a free small cup or cone to anyone aged 80 or over on National Ice Cream Day.
Loyalty Programme and App-Based Freebies
Many offers are exclusive to members of brand loyalty programmes or users of specific mobile applications.
Dairy Queen rewards members can obtain a free Dilly Bar with any app or website order of £1 or more. This single-use offer is valid at participating locations through 20 July.
16 Handles app users can receive a free soft serve treat, valued up to £5, at participating locations on 20 July.
Friendly’s Fan Club Rewards members are eligible for a free cone or dish of ice cream on National Ice Cream Day.
Marble Slab Creamery loyalty members will receive a free small ice cream on 20 July.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream offers its rewards members the chance to earn double points on all purchases made through 20 July.
Dunkin’ rewards members can earn triple points on any frozen beverage ordered on 20 July.
Social Media Competitions and Giveaways
Several brands are running competitions via social media platforms, primarily Instagram, where participants can win larger prizes.
Kilwins is hosting a giveaway where one winner will receive free ice cream for a year. To enter, participants must follow Kilwins on Instagram (@Kilwins), tag a friend in the comments, and use the hashtag #Kilwins_Sweepstakes. This competition ends on 31 July.
Keebler is running a National Ice Cream Day package giveaway. Entrants must follow @Keebler on Instagram and comment on their National Ice Cream Day post with their ideal Keebler cone combo. The giveaway is active through 28 July.
My/Mochi Ice Cream is offering a chance to win a year’s supply of ice cream. To enter, fans must follow the brand on Instagram, like a post, comment with their summer plans, and tag a friend.
Discounted Purchases and Special Pricing
In addition to free items, several retailers and brands are offering significant discounts on purchases made around National Ice Cream Day.
Baskin-Robbins rewards members can save £5 off orders of £20 or more through the chain’s app, website, in-shop, and via third-party delivery services. This offer is valid from 20 to 26 July.
Graeter’s is offering a 10% discount on online orders through 20 July with the code ICTODAY10. Additionally, customers can purchase ice cream cones for just £1.55 in all scoop shops on the holiday.
Van Leeuwen is offering £3 scoops of its popular Honeycomb flavour from noon to 2 pm on National Ice Cream Day.
Dippin’ Dots also provides an online discount, offering 25% off all orders at dippindots.com using the promo code NICD2025.
Gopuff is running a two-for-£9 promotion on select Ben & Jerry’s pints for Gopuff FAM members between 20 and 27 July. The platform is also offering up to 30% off select products from brands including Jeni’s Ice Cream, Unilever, Dreyers, Mars Wrigley, FatBoy Ice Cream, and Halo Top.
DoorDash DashPass members can save £5 off two Ben & Jerry’s pints on grocery and convenience orders on 20 July.
Friendly’s is offering 90-cent scoops for all customers, available in-store or to-go, through 20 July.
Jeni’s is providing a free Sundae Fudge Sauce with any scoop shop order on 20 July.
Pet-Focused Offers
Petco is specifically mentioned as offering free pup cups of ice cream in stores, catering to pet owners on National Ice Cream Day.
Conclusion
National Ice Cream Day 2025 is marked by a diverse range of promotional activities, from direct free samples and app-based freebies to social media competitions and discounted purchases. The primary mechanism for accessing these offers involves loyalty programme membership or app usage, with significant rewards available for members of brands like Dairy Queen, Baskin-Robbins, and Friendly’s. Social media competitions run by Kilwins, Keebler, and My/Mochi Ice Cream offer larger prizes, such as a year’s supply of ice cream. While the majority of these promotions are concentrated in the United States, the structure of the offers—requiring app downloads, social media engagement, or in-store visits—provides a clear model for how brands in other markets, including the UK, might structure similar promotional events. Consumers are advised to verify participation with local outlets and review all terms and conditions prior to making a purchase or travel.