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National Ice Cream Day brings free cones, Dilly Bars and pint deals

Dairy Queen, Friendly’s, Target, DoorDash and more are marking July 19 with freebies, app offers and limited-time ice cream discounts.

Poppy Nakagawa

By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer

3 min read

National Ice Cream Day lands on Sunday, July 19, and the freezer aisle is not being shy.

Dairy Queen, Friendly’s, Baskin Robbins, Target, DoorDash and other brands have lined up giveaways, app-only discounts and limited-run treats tied to the 2026 food holiday. Some deals run only on July 19, while others stretch across the week, so the calendar matters almost as much as the craving.

Here are the offers being advertised by the companies and retailers for National Ice Cream Day and the days around it.

Free scoops, bars and cones

  • Dairy Queen rewards members can get a free Dilly Bar with a purchase of at least $1 in the DQ app from July 13 through July 19.

  • Friendly’s is offering a free cone or dish of its signature ice cream on July 19, with no purchase or rewards membership required.

  • Dippin’ Dots says participating shops will give customers a free mini cup in any flavor during a specific two-hour window on July 19. The company directs customers to use its online locator to find nearby participating locations.

  • Marble Slab Creamery loyalty members can redeem a free small ice cream on July 19.

  • Jeni’s Ice Creams customers who visit a scoop shop on July 19 can get a free pour of either the brand’s Fudge Sauce or its new Caramel Sauce with any order.

App deals and delivery discounts

  • Baskin Robbins rewards members can take $5 off orders of $20 or more placed in the app or online from July 19 through July 25. On July 26, members can get a buy-one-get-one free scoop.

  • DoorDash says DashPass members can get a free Wendy’s Frosty with a purchase of $20 or more from July 16 through July 22. The same dates include a buy two, save $4 offer on Häagen-Dazs.

  • Wendy’s is also tied to the DashPass offer, giving members a free Frosty on orders of at least $20 through July 22.

  • Blue Bunny has a DoorDash DashMart grocery offer running through July 26: buy two and save $5 on soft pints and mini swirls.

  • GoPuff is advertising two pints of Ben & Jerry’s for $8, two pints of Halo Top for $10, and 30% off Snickers and Twix Ice Cream Bar packs. FAM members can buy select premium pints for $3.50.

Retail and scoop shop specials

  • Target is running a buy one, get one 50% off deal on all ice cream from July 12 through July 18.

  • Graeter’s customers can use the code ICECREAMDAY10 for 10% off online orders from July 17 through July 19. Sweet Rewards members can also buy a single-dip sugar cone in stores for $1.56.

  • Salt & Straw is selling a custom pint for $12.50 from July 17 through July 23. The pint includes three scoops with fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry. Loyalty members can earn double points on July 19.

  • Stop & Shop shoppers can scan their loyalty card at in-store Savings Station kiosks from July 17 through July 23 for a chance to win a free 1.5-quart container of the store brand’s ice cream.

  • Kilwins is holding an Instagram sweepstakes from July 19 through July 31 for a chance to win “free ice cream for a year,” awarded as a $650 gift card.

  • Blue Bell Ice Cream is marking National Ice Cream Month with a limited-time Chocolate Lava Cake flavor, available while supplies last.

This story draws on original reporting from Mashable.