Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Franchises Recognize National Ice Cream Day With Specials and Freebies
Ice cream is a hit at almost any celebration. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Weddings. Family reunions. (And if we’re honest, who even needs a special occasion to enjoy ice cream?)
The beloved dessert gets its own celebration on National Ice Cream Day, which falls on the third Sunday of July. Ice cream franchises recognize the fun holiday with specials and discounts for their loyalty members and the general public to increase foot traffic and app downloads.
Read on for some sweet deals to enjoy this July 19.
National Ice Cream Day 2026: Sweet Deals and Freebies
16 Handles
16 Handles is enticing ice cream lovers to sign up for its app by offering loyalty members a free cup of the delectable dessert on July 19.
Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins rewards members get $5 off orders of $20 or more made from July 19–25. Rewards members also get a free single scoop when they buy one on July 26.
Carvel
Few things are more disappointing on a hot summer day than watching your ice cream fall apart before you can finish it. Through July 24, Carvel is inviting dessert disaster victims to submit photos of their most tragic frozen treat disaster for the chance to win one of 500 gift cards for a free Carvelanche — the brand’s relaunched mashup of soft serve with an avalanche of mix-ins. Visit www.carvel.com/DessertDisaster to enter.
Dairy Queen
From July 13–19, DQ loyalty members can score a free Dilly Bar with any $1 purchase. The Dilly Bar features Dairy Queen’s vanilla soft serve encased in a chocolatey coating.
Friendly’s
Friendly’s fans can celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a free cone or dish on July 19. No rewards membership or purchase is required to redeem the sweet deal.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
The first 250 guests at participating Handel’s locations will receive a free baseball cap (above) with any ice cream purchase on July 19. The adjustable, signature blue cap features the brand’s logo.
Marble Slab Creamery
Marble Slab Creamery is rewarding its loyalty members with a free small ice cream on July 19. The ice cream franchise is part of the FAT Brands family.
Yogurtland
Yogurtland is giving its loyalty members another reason to celebrate National Ice Cream Day: double points on purchases made at participating locations on July 19.
