National Ice Cream Day 2025 Is Sunday: Where To Score Freebies And Deals In Murrieta

MURRIETA, CA — As far back as the Persian Empire and Tang Dynasty, frozen treats have offered cool relief on hot days. So it’s little wonder that the Quaker colonists brought recipes for frozen ice treats and ice cream with them, and opened the first ice cream shops in New York and other cities.

Fast-forward two and a half centuries, and ice cream is widely regarded as America’s favorite summertime treat. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed July as National Ice Cream Month and designated the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day.

This year, that’s on July 20.

Several ice cream shops and companies are offering freebies and deals on Sunday, with some also offering month-long promotions.

In Riverside County, your local Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, located at 41377 Margarita Road, is offering free ice cream for everyone 80 years and older, they say. “In honor of our 80th anniversary, and National Ice Cream Day, Handel’s is offering a free small cone or dish to guests aged 80 and older on July 20,” they said.

Other local ice cream shops include The Sugar Spot, La Michocana, Aerostat Creamery, Crepe n Cream, and Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard.

Here’s a look at some of them (as always, call ahead to make sure your local store is participating):

Baskin-Robbins: The chain’s weeklong celebration of National Ice Cream Day starts Sunday and continues through July 26. Rewards members get $5 off orders of $20 or more placed through third-party delivery.

Burger King: Rewards members can get a free Soft Serve ice cream with the purchase of $1 or more on Sunday.

Cold Stone Creamery: Now through July 31, the chain is offering a flavor twist on a fan-favorite treat: Birthday Cake Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Taco, now featuring the all-new Birthday Cake Oreo Cookie Ice Cream. On Sunday, the store will choose five winners of Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream ($450) for a year (entry details @ColdStone on Instagram).

Dairy Queen: Through Sunday, rewards members get a free Dilly Bar on orders of $1 or more.

Dippin’ Dots: Participating locations will give away free mini cups of any flavor of Dippin’ Dots ice cream during a two-hour window — giveaway hours vary by location. Also, the first 100 people in line get a free souvenir take-home cup. Check your store on the Dippin’ Dots locator.

Dunkin’: Rewards members get three times the points on Frozen Beverages on Sunday, as well as $3 medium Refreshers.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream: Handel’s is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding by offering a free small ice cream to people 80 and older on National Ice Cream Day.

Marble Slab Creamery: The ice cream store’s perk for loyalty members — a free small ice cream — is not only good every Sunday in July, it’s valid for seven days after that.

My/Mochi Ice Cream: Every Sunday in July, My/Mochi is giving away “summer chill packs” with ice cream coupons and other merchandise. On National Ice Cream Day this Sunday, fans can sign up for a free year’s supply of premium ice cream when they follow My/Mochi on Instagram, like a post, comment with summer friends, or tag a friend.

Salt & Straw: The chain culminates a full week of offers Sunday with a prize for every online offer placed. Guests will each get one NICD card with a QR code revealing prizes ranging from a free scoop to a personal ice cream-making session with Salt & Straw chef, founder and cookbook author Tyler Malek.

Sources for this list are emails, website and The Food Network.