National Ice Cream Day is on July 19, 2026, with vanilla once again ranking as the top ice cream flavor in America. The day features various deals and freebies from popular ice cream brands including Dairy Queen, Baskin-Robbins, Friendly's, Dippin' Dots, Wendy's, Graeter's, DoorDash, Dunkin', Cold Stone Creamery, and Insomnia Cookies. Notably, Dairy Queen offers a free Dilly Bar with a purchase through their app, while Friendly's provides a free cone or dish to all guests. Numerous promotions are available for rewards members across different chains, celebrating the day with special offers and discounts.

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Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with these sweet freebies, deals

Portrait of Gabe Hauari Gabe Hauari

USA TODAY

July 18, 2026, 7:02 a.m. ET

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National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 19, this year and according to one source, vanilla is the undisputed top flavor in America yet again.

Data from Instacart published July 8 shows that vanilla remained the most-ordered ice cream flavor on the platform in 2025, retaining the title it had held the last two years.

Instacart said vanilla accounted for nearly 21% of all ice cream orders in 2025 and was the "single most popular pick in every one of the 50 states and D.C." Chocolate, cookie dough, cookies & cream and chocolate fudge/brownie rounded out the top five most popular flavors, according to the delivery platform.

According to the data, Häagen-Dazs was the most-ordered ice cream brand on the platform in 2025 with Ben & Jerry's a close second. Breyers took the third spot while Tillamook and Halo Top round out the top five. Instacart also said the fast-growing brands are mostly premium, better-for-you pints, including Alec's Ice Cream, Rebel, Straus Family Creamery and Van Leeuwen.

President Ronald Reagan in 1984 declared National Ice Cream Day would be celebrated on the third Sunday of July and also declared July as National Ice Cream Month.

Here's where you can scoop up some sweet deals and discounts on the sweet treat this year.

National Ice Cream Day 2026 deals

Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen Rewards loyalty program members can get a free Dilly Bar with any order of $1 or more made through the DQ App through July 19.

DQ Rewards loyalty program members can get a free Dilly Bar with any order of $1 or more made through the DQ App through July 19. To get the deal, download the DQ App and sign up for DQ Rewards.

There is a limit of one deal per person and one redemption per deal, according to the company.

Baskin-Robbins

Beginning July 19, Baskin-Robbins Rewards members can get $5 off an order of $20 or more through July 25, according to the company.

On July 26, the chain is offering a BOGO Free Single Scoop offer for Rewards members.

Friendly's

On July 19, every guest at Friendly's locations nationwide can get a free cone or dish, no purchase necessary. The deal is available for dine in or carry out.

On Sunday, July 19, every guest at Friendly's locations nationwide can get a free cone or dish, no purchase necessary.

Dippin' Dots

Customers can enjoy a free mini cup of Dippin' Dots at participating locations nationwide, including all 128 Dippin' Dots franchise locations, on July 19. The offer is valid during a designated two-hour window and no purchase is necessary, according to the company.

Additionally, the brand is offering 25% off your online order of Dippin' Dots using promo code "NICD26."

Lastly, customers can enter for a chance to win free Dippin' Dots for a year. More information on the sweepstakes is available on Dippin' Dots' website.

Customers can enjoy a free mini cup of Dippin' Dots at participating locations nationwide, including all 128 Dippin' Dots franchise locations, on July 19.

Wendy's

Wendy's is offering a classic chocolate or vanilla Frosty for just $1 from July 20 through Aug. 23. Rewards members get exclusive early access on July 19.

The deal is valid at participating Wendy's locations nationwide for dine-in, carry out and via the drive-thru for orders placed on the Wendy's app or website. Delivery orders are excluded from this offer, according to Wendy's.

Graeter's

Graeter's is offering 10% off online orders using promo code "ICECREAMDAY10" from July 17-19, the company told USA TODAY.

The chain is also offering $1.56 single-dip sugar cones to celebrate its 156 years in business for new and existing Sweet Rewards members in-store at all Graeter's locations from July 17-19.

DoorDash

DashPass members can buy 2 Häagen-Dazs pints and save $4 from July 16-22, DoorDash told USA TODAY. DashPass members can also score a free Wendy's Frosty with a purchase of $20 or more from July 16-22.

Dunkin'

Dunkin' Rewards members can earn 4x points on donuts and Munchkins on July 19 to celebrate National Ice Cream Day, the company said in a news release.

Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone fans can enter for a chance to win free ice cream during the chain's National Ice Cream Week Giveaway.

The giveaways have been ongoing all week, however the final giveaway will begin 9 a.m. on July 19 with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on July 22. Five grand prize winners will win a digital gift card valued at $450 in addition to a Cold Stone-themed hoodie, hat and tote bag.

Customers can find more information about the giveaway on Cold Stone's website.

Insomnia Cookies

Guests can receive a free two-scoop cup of ice cream with any purchase of $5 or more, July 17-19, at all U.S. Insomnia Cookies bakeries or on eligible local delivery orders, the company told USA TODAY.

No Rewards membership is required, however members can earn double points throughout the weekend.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatoday.com.

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