National Ice Cream Day, observed annually on the third Sunday in July, is a significant promotional event in the United States. Established in 1984, the holiday provides a focal point for ice cream brands, retailers, and restaurants to offer special deals, free samples, and loyalty rewards to consumers. For the year 2025, National Ice Cream Day fell on Sunday, July 20. This article outlines the verified freebies and promotional offers available from participating brands during that period, based exclusively on information from the provided source materials. It is important to note that all offers, prices, and local participation mentioned are specific to the United States market and may vary by location.
Understanding National Ice Cream Day Promotions
National Ice Cream Day promotions typically involve a combination of direct freebies, discount offers, and loyalty programme incentives. Many deals are tied to brand-specific mobile applications or loyalty schemes, requiring customers to download an app or sign up for a membership to access the benefits. The promotional period often extends beyond the single day, with some offers valid for a week or longer. Consumers are advised to check the terms and conditions of each offer, as availability can depend on participating locations and while supplies last.
2025 National Ice Cream Day Freebies and Deals
Based on the provided sources, numerous brands participated in National Ice Cream Day 2025 with a variety of offers. The following list details the verified promotions, organised alphabetically by brand name.
16 Handles
16 Handles, a self-serve frozen yogurt chain, offered a free treat to app users. Customers who downloaded the 16 Handles mobile application on July 20, 2025, could claim a free treat worth up to $5 at participating locations. This offer required no purchase but was limited to the value specified.
Baskin-Robbins
The ice cream chain Baskin-Robbins provided a discount to its rewards members. Between July 20 and July 26, 2025, members of the Baskin-Robbins Rewards programme could save $5 off any order of $20 or more. This deal was redeemable through the Baskin-Robbins app, on the brand’s website, in-store, or via third-party delivery applications. To be eligible, customers needed to be signed up for the loyalty programme.
Big Chicken
Big Chicken, a restaurant chain, offered a free ice cream cone on July 20, 2025. Customers could receive this freebie in-restaurant by mentioning the brand’s National Ice Cream Day promotion at the time of purchase.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream ran two separate promotions. Firstly, customers could enter a sweepstakes for the chance to win free ice cream for a year, with entries accepted through July 31, 2025. Secondly, members of Bruster’s Sweet Rewards loyalty programme could earn double points on all purchases made between July 18 and July 20, 2025.
Carvel and Mother’s Cookies
Carvel and Mother’s Cookies partnered for a social media giveaway. Consumers could enter for a chance to win a Carvel gift card by following the @motherscookiesus and @carvelicecream accounts on Instagram, liking the giveaway post, and tagging a friend. Entries were accepted until July 26, 2025, with a limit of one entry per person.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen provided a free Dilly Bar to its rewards members. Through July 20, 2025, members of the Dairy Queen rewards programme could receive a free Dilly Bar with any app or website order of $1 or more.
Friendly’s
Friendly’s celebrated National Ice Cream Day alongside its 90th anniversary. Members of the Friendly’s Fan Club Rewards loyalty programme could receive a free cone or dish of ice cream on July 20, 2025. For other customers, the chain offered a 90-cent single scoop for in-store or takeaway orders.
Halo Top
Halo Top ran a unique name-based promotion. Through July 20, 2025, anyone whose first, middle, or last name matched that of a famous ice cream brand (including competitors) could redeem a free pint of Halo Top ice cream. The redemption process required visiting the specific web address halotop.com/icecreamday.
Harry Potter Shops
Specialty shops at Harry Potter locations in New York and Chicago offered complimentary items. On July 20, 2025, the first 100 customers at each participating shop received a free Butterbeer ice cream with free toppings. All other customers on July 20 received complimentary toppings with an ice cream purchase. From July 21 to July 26, 2025, every Butterbeer purchase came with complimentary toppings.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams offered a free add-on. On National Ice Cream Day (July 20, 2025), customers could add Sundae Fudge Sauce to any scoop shop order for free.
Keebler
Keebler hosted a sweepstakes for a National Ice Cream Day package, which included a variety of the brand’s ice cream, sugar, and waffle cones. Consumers could enter by following @Keebler on Instagram and commenting on the sweepstakes post with their ideal Keebler cone combo. The entry period was through July 28, 2025.
Kilwins
Kilwins offered a free ice cream for a year sweepstakes. To enter, consumers needed to follow @Kilwins on Instagram and tag a friend in the comments on the sweepstakes post. The prize was a Kilwins e-gift card valued at approximately $600, which was equivalent to about one large waffle cone per week for a year. The sweepstakes were open through July 31, 2025.
Marble Slab Creamery
Marble Slab Creamery provided a free ice cream to its loyalty members. On National Ice Cream Day, members of the Marble Slab loyalty programme could receive a free small ice cream.
My/Mochi Ice Cream
My/Mochi Ice Cream ran a social media contest. Fans could enter to win a year’s supply of ice cream by following the brand on Instagram, liking a post, commenting with summer plans, and tagging a friend.
Petco
Petco offered free pup cups of ice cream in its stores, allowing pet owners to treat their dogs on National Ice Cream Day.
Van Leeuwen
Van Leeuwen promoted a specific flavour at a discounted price. On July 20, 2025, the brand offered $3 scoops of its Honeycomb flavour from noon to 2 p.m.
Additional Grocery and Retail Deals
Beyond restaurant chains, some brands offered promotions through grocery retailers. Breyers had buy-one-get-one deals scheduled for the week of July 30, 2025, at Publix and Kroger, with online discounts available at select Albertsons divisions.
Conclusion
National Ice Cream Day 2025 provided a wide array of promotional opportunities across the United States, ranging from free samples and discounted scoops to loyalty programme incentives and social media sweepstakes. The majority of direct freebies required customers to be members of brand loyalty programmes or to download specific mobile applications. Offers were largely limited to participating locations and were subject to terms and conditions, including purchase requirements for some discounts. For consumers seeking similar promotions in the future, staying informed about brand loyalty schemes and social media channels is essential, as these are the primary channels for accessing National Ice Cream Day deals.