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

NEW HAMPSHIRE — 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 one-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 established National Ice Cream Day as the third Sunday of July. This year, that’s on July 20.

Several ice cream shops and companies are offering freebies and deals on Sunday, and some have month-long offers. Here’s a look at some of them (as always, call ahead to make sure your local store is participating):

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.

Friendly’s: Rewards members get a free cone or dish of ice cream on Sunday, and non-members can get 90-cent single-scoop ice cream cones r dishes, either in-store or to-go.

Kilwins: From July 20-31, enter an Instagram sweepstakes to win “free ice cream for a year” ($600 e-gift card) from Kilwins, known for its premium chocolates, ice cream, and confections.

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.

Sub Zero nitrogen Ice Cream: The chain is celebrating its 20th anniversary and National Ice Cream Day from 2-4 p.m. Saturday the 19th with a free scoop of Big Blast ice cream at shops, according to a post on Facebook.

16 Handles: On National Ice Cream Day, customers can get a free soft-serve treat when they download the 16 Handles app and visit a participating location on Sunday.

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

Editor's note: This post was scripted by another Patch staffer, not New Hampshire's editor, for publication on New Hampshire sites.