July 19 is coming. Your bank account doesn’t have to hate it. National Ice Cream Day isn’t just a day for nostalgia or sad daydreams about the ice cream truck down the block. It’s an excuse. A sanctioned, sugar-fueled loophole in your budget.
We looked. Hard. Some brands are actually giving away free food. Most just want you to join a loyalty program. Both work, I guess. Here are twelve ways to get cold dessert this week. Some require effort. Some don’t.
The Free Ones (Sort Of)
Baskin-Robbins has a window. Start July 19. End July 25. If you’re in their rewards program, spend twenty dollars in-store, in-app, or online, get five bucks back. Wait until the 26th though. Then buy one scoop. Get a second one for nothing. Do the math.
Blue Bell isn’t doing discounts on pints. Who are we to judge? They are, however, making a Chocolate Lava Cake pint. Limited time. Get it or get bitter.
Dairy Queen is celebrating all week. Long week. July 13 through July 19. Order in the app. Spend one dollar. Yes, just a buck. Get a free Dilly Bar if you have rewards membership. It’s a tiny transaction but a sweet victory.
Dippin Dots requires precision. A free mini-cup. Any flavor. But only during a specific two-hour window at select franchise locations. Check the locator on their website first. Don’t just show up and hope. That’s how you miss out.
DoorDash calls it “Sweet Treat Week.” DashPass members can snag a free Frosty if they order twenty bucks worth from Wendy’s. Also buy two Häagen-Dazs pints, save four dollars. July 16 to 22. There’s noise at Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie too. Just look.
Friendly’s wants your membership. Become a Fan Club Rewards member. Visit July 20. Get a free cone or dish. Hate sign-ups? Pay ninety cents for the same thing. Not bad. Not free, but not terrible.
The Haggling
GoPuff has volume deals. Until Sunday, two pints of Ben & Jerry’s cost eight dollars. Two Halo Top pints for ten. Snickers and Twix ice cream bars are down thirty percent. Join their FAM program and you can grab specific pints from Magnum, Breyers, and Ben & Jerry’s for $3.50 apiece. Do that math. That’s cheaper than tap water in some cities.
Jeni’s started early but hasn’t stopped. Come to an actual shop. July 19 only. Order a scoop. You get a free pour of fudge sauce. Or their new caramel. Pick your poison. Literally.
Kilwins offers the nuclear option. Free ice cream for a whole year. Sounds crazy? Enter a sweepstakes. July 19 through 31. Follow on Instagram. Tag someone. Use the hashtag. Win a $650 gift card. That buys one cone a week for twelve months. Low odds. High reward.
Marble Slab Creamery is keeping it simple. July 19. Loyalty members. One free small ice cream. That’s it. No strings beyond being on their list.
Salt & Straw sells a fancy pint. Sunday build-your-own deal. Twelve fifty bucks. You pick three scoops. They add fudge. Whipped cream. Rainbow sprinkles. A cherry. July 17 to 23. Rewards members get double points. Worth it for the cherry alone.
Stop & Shop gives away ice cream in bulk. Go inside. Find a Savings Station kiosk. Check in. July 17 through July 23. If supplies hold up and luck favors you, walk out with a free 1.5-quart tub. Walk fast before it’s gone.
Which one sounds better to you. Or maybe you’re still waiting for that truck that never came.
