We all shout for ice cream, but complimentary ice cream is the ultimate dessert jackpot. If you want to chill out on a sweltering afternoon, there are many ways to snag a free scoop — from stacking up rewards to enjoying birthday perks.
Ice cream can be an indulgence that adds up fast, especially if you visit scoop shops frequently. Still, it’s modest compared with the priciest scoop on the planet, which costs $6,119 per scoop. What makes that lavish gelato so costly? Truffles, aged cheese and an abundance of gold leaf.
Luckily, you don’t need to spend thousands to enjoy a delightfully creamy dessert.
9 Ways to Score Free Ice Cream This Summer
Americans adore ice cream so much that one celebratory day barely scratches the surface. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the average American consumes four gallons of ice cream annually. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day.
Here are nine ways to get a free (or discounted) scoop this summer.
1. Nab a Free Dilly Bar at DQ
On July 20, 2025, DQ Rewards members will receive an in-app offer for a free Dilly Bar. You’ll need to spend at least $1 to redeem the deal.
2. Grab Free Dippin’ Dots
Stop by participating spots on July 20, 2025 to claim a free mini cup of Dippin’ Dots! Each location runs the promotion for just two hours, so be sure to call ahead to confirm the exact timeframe for yours.
Try to arrive at the start of the two-hour window — the first 100 guests at each location typically get a complimentary collectible cup in addition to their frozen treat.
3. Marble Slab Offers Great Deals Every Sunday in July
Loyalty members can expect push offers from Marble Slab Creamery on Sundays throughout July. While the July 20 offer hasn’t been finalized, it’s usually the standout deal of the month. In prior years, National Ice Cream Day promotions have included a totally free small serving.
4. Free Soft Serve at Burger King
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 20, 2025 at Burger King by getting a free soft serve when you spend $1 on another item. This is available to Royalty Perks members, so sign up if you haven’t already.
5. Menchie’s Free Frozen Yogurt Early Access
Menchie’s isn’t waiting until July 20 to hand out freebies. Be among the first 50 guests at 3 p.m. on July 10, 2025 to claim a free 5 oz serving of frozen yogurt.
There could be additional offers on July 20, but nothing more has been announced at this time.
6. Don’t Miss 7/11 Day
7/11 regularly gives out free Slurpees on July 11. This year, if you’re a member of 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards, you’ll receive an extra perk. Along with a second free Slurpee coupon (valid through the end of the month), you’ll also get a temporary tongue tattoo that changes your tongue’s color when you sip your Slurpee!
7. Dunkin’ Has Deals, Not Freebies
Dunkin’ hasn’t announced freebies for National Ice Cream Month, but you can take advantage of several July promotions:
- July 7 – 28: Earn 100 bonus points when you place an order-ahead mobile order on a Monday.
- July 16 – 31: Take $2 off an Iced Strawberry Lemon Loaf with a beverage purchase.
- July 20: Earn 3x points on frozen treat orders.
You can also grab 150 bonus points by using the drive-thru on July 24. Buy a beverage by July 15 and get $3 off a Ham & Cheese croissant stuffer.
8. Enter to Win a Year of Free Ice Cream from Bruster’s
Bruster’s runs a sweepstakes for National Ice Cream Month where you could win free ice cream for a whole year. You can enter here through July 31, 2025.
9. Watch These Creameries for Offers
As July 20 draws near, watch these brands. They’ve offered discounted or free ice cream for National Ice Cream Day before. Deals are most often sent to members of each shop’s rewards program, so signing up ahead of time will help you claim discounts as soon as they’re released:
- Baskin Robbins
- Carvel
- Crispy Cones
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Culver’s
- Friendly’s
- Insomnia Cookies
- McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams
- Salt & Straw
- Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream
- Talenti
- Wendy’s
- Yonutz
Ways to Get Free Ice Cream Year-Round
If your craving lasts beyond a single month, don’t worry. We’ve compiled methods to save on frozen treats, use ongoing promotions and sample new flavors all year long, even after summer cools off.
Take Advantage of Free Cone Day
Whether you favor a thin cake cone, a classic sugar cone or a chocolate-dipped waffle cone, cones remain a delightful way to enjoy ice cream.
National Free Cone Day varies by brand. Dairy Queen often offers a free cone in March, while Ben & Jerry’s celebrates in April. Some Häagen-Dazs locations also host a free cone day annually, so mark your calendar.
Score Free Frosties All Year
If you grabbed a $3 Wendy’s Frosty Key Tag last year, you’ve likely been getting a free Frosty with qualifying purchases throughout the year. If you missed that, you can still earn complimentary Frosties and other items by joining Wendy’s reWards program.
Ask for Samples at Local Scoop Shops
Many scoop shops offer free samples — so don’t hesitate to ask. Try a spoonful of a new flavor or stick with a safe pick like chocolate; you can’t go wrong.
While you’re there, sign up for the shop’s newsletter to learn about upcoming events and discount codes.
Kids (and Pets) Can Get Free Treats at Bruster’s
Visit a Bruster’s where little ones and pup pals can try ice cream. Complimentary baby cones are available for kids 40 inches or shorter, and doggie sundaes are offered for canine family members.
Celebrate Spring with Free Italian Ice
On the first day of spring, Rita’s opens stores to give away free Italian ice to everyone. The next free Italian ice event falls on March 20, 2026.
Use Coupons to Get Free Pints
If you’re far from a scoop shop, you can still score free pints. Brands like Alden’s often issue store coupons during National Ice Cream Month, making store-bought ice cream an affordable option.
Free Birthday Ice Cream: Where to Go
Whether your birthday is in summer or winter, many restaurants and scoop shops hand out free sweet treats for your special day.
A&W
Join the Mug Club to receive a free root beer float on your birthday.
Applebee’s
Sign up for Club Applebee’s to get a complimentary dessert (including ice cream) on your birthday. Note: you must spend at least $15 on other items to qualify.
Baskin Robbins
Download the Baskin Robbins app and enter your birthday to get a free scoop. Join Baskin Rewards and you’ll receive another free scoop after your first purchase.
Ben & Jerry’s
Flavor Fanatics get complimentary ice cream on their birthday.
Big Boy
Join the I Love Big Boy email club to receive a free dessert on your birthday — ice cream included if you choose it.
California Pizza Kitchen
CPK Rewards members get a free dessert on their birthday — and many desserts come with a generous scoop of ice cream.
Carvel
Fudgie Fanatics receive a “free birthday reward” to celebrate their special day.
Chili’s
My Chili’s Rewards members are treated to free dessert (including ice cream) on their birthday.
Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone used to send BOGO coupons for birthdays; recently the birthday offer has become less clear and is simply listed as a “birthday reward.” Given their menu, that reward usually involves ice cream in one form or another.
Culver’s
Culver’s not only gives you a complimentary one-topping scoop for your birthday, but family members added to your account can also receive birthday ice cream.
DQ
DQ Rewards members get a “birthday offer.” It may or may not be free ice cream, but it’s worth trying.
Friendly’s
Join Friendly’s Club Fun to receive complimentary birthday ice cream.
Marble Slab Creamery
Sign up for the rewards club to receive birthday offers.
Menchie’s
Get a free birthday frozen yogurt treat worth up to $5 when you join mySmileage Rewards.
Olive Garden
Many Olive Garden desserts include ice cream, and telling your server it’s your birthday can often score you one free dessert.
P.F. Chang’s
Chang’s Ca$h members receive a free dessert (or appetizer) on their birthday. Choose a dessert that comes with ice cream for a sweeter gift.
Rita’s
Get free Italian ice for your birthday by joining Rita’s Birthday eClub. Note that Rita’s is seasonal — winter birthdays typically receive a half-birthday coupon.
TCBY
Sign up for TCBY’s Froyo Club Rewards to get a birthday treat worth up to $5.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays rewards members who join their rewards club with a free birthday dessert, which often includes ice cream.
Wahlburgers
Join the WahlClub to receive a complimentary homemade shake for your birthday.
Tips to Maximize Your Free Ice Cream Haul
Many National Ice Cream Day freebies are limited to one per order. Rather than expecting a whole family to receive free treats from a single transaction, it’s often smarter to have each person place their own order and sign up with their own rewards account.
Keep in mind that some promotions are limited to a certain number of customers. Double-check the start time for the offer so you’re not left waiting in line after it’s already run out. The early bird gets the scoop.
Avoid the Pitfalls: How to Claim Freebies Without Overspending
Why do companies give away freebies? Usually they hope you’ll buy more while you’re there. If you’re bringing kids, hype up the free item and make it clear they can only order what’s complimentary — not the full menu.
Certain National Ice Cream Month promotions include purchase requirements. For instance, to get free soft serve at Burger King you must spend at least $1. Opt for the cheapest qualifying item — a small fry or single cheeseburger — instead of a combo to keep costs minimal.
If even that’s a stretch, see if the location sells a bag of ice — sometimes under $2 — to help protect your treats on the ride home.
Byline changed to: Riley Parker is a freelance features writer covering personal finance and lifestyle topics for Savinly. Their work focuses on money-saving tips, budgeting and practical consumer advice.
