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The biggest day of the year for those with a sweet tooth is almost here!
National Ice Cream Day is coming just in time to save us from New York’s third heatwave, so mark your calendars Sunday, July 21. No matter your feelings on the man, former President Ronald Reagan did indeed create this national holiday. At least he did one thing that we can all appreciate.
Some of NYC’s greatest ice cream hubs will join in on the festivities this year with deals and freebies, so here are all the places in the city where you can get your fill during this 24-hour sugar spree.
RECOMMENDED: Here are the 12 best ice cream shops of NYC
Free Dippin’ Dots x The Museum of Ice Cream
Well if you were expecting a free popsicle, think again, these two have come together and created none other than an outdoor sprinkle pool! This colorful puddle will be open on July 20 and 21 from 11am until 6pm at Hudson Yards. What does one do in a sprinkle pool? Unsure? Go check this out and report back. They are also giving out 20,000 free pouches of cotton candy and rainbow ice cream.
Dippin’ Dots, separately, is also giving out free ice cream during selected hours and at selected stores so be sure to take a look at your local Dippin’ Dots parlor.
Free Butterbeer Ice Cream at the Harry Potter Flagship
On the big day, the Harry Potter flagship store will offer free Butterbeer ice cream. The freebie will only be available from noon to 3pm, so keep this in mind when organizing your freebie schedule. For the first time, the Butterbeer ice cream will also be available to purchase in pints so you can take the flavor home with you.
Free Turkey Hill Late Night samples
This acclaimed ice cream brand is releasing seven brand new Late Night flavors and they are providing eager fans with a first taste on this most glorious day. Its new Late Night release includes the following seven offerings: Ultimate Cookie Overload, Cherry Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Brownie Batter Cookie Dough, Buttery Southern Pecan Pie, Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Espresso and Mint Chocolate Cookie. Turkey Hill will hand out free Late Night samples in an East Village pop-up at 12 St Marks Place from 6pm to midnight. So maybe round off your ice cream day extravaganza here.
Monopoly Go! x Taiyaki free limited-edition ice cream
This online game is coming to real life. Monopoly Go! is partnering with ice cream shop Taiyaki NYC to provide gamers and New Yorkers alike with a pop-up Monopoly Go! experience. At both the Brooklyn and Manhattan locations, you can play, win prizes and most importantly eat free limited-edition ice cream. There will be various available flavors all inspired by Mr. Monopoly, and no he doesn’t have a monocle. The Taiyaki NYC Chinatown will open at 11 am and offer free ice cream to the first 2,100 people in line. The Williamsburg parlor will open at noon and provide the first 700 people with free deliciousness.
Free KIND Frozen Bars
Although not your typical ice cream, KIND will give out free frozen bars in Brooklyn’s Domino Park from noon to 5pm. There will be a variety of flavors (plant-based and dairy-free options as well), including Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt & Nut, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Nut, Mint Chocolate Almond Nut and Chocolate Cherry Almond & Nut. Also, keep an eye out for KIND’s giveaway beginning July 18 for the prize of a year’s supply of KIND frozen treat bars. That’s all?
Carvel’s deal
This is more than just a celebration for National Ice Cream Day because this year also marks the iconic brand’s 90th birthday, so they are going all out, kind of. If you order over $35 on Uber Eats or DoorDash, DashPass only, you get $6 off. This will last the whole weekend from July 18 to July 21. So if you can’t bear the heat, this might be the deal for you.
Free Premier Protein Ice Cream Scoop Shop samples
Want to get your protein in but also need to celebrate National Ice Cream Day? Here you can do both. Premier Protein is giving out free ice cream samples of its four new protein-filled flavors. These will first be available on July 18 from 5 to 7pm in the Scoop Shop on 21 Spring Street. Other than the free flavors, there will be customizable ice cream merch and a protein-packed demo of how the treats are made. These good vibes will start at 1pm on Friday and last up until the end of the big day on Sunday.
Free Organic Valley x Sugar Hill Creamery scoops
A new flavor is being born out of the partnership of Organic Valley and Sugar Hill Creamery. This frozen treat, a Sweet Corn Vanilla Custard ice cream with a plum gelée swirl, will be launched on Sunday. From 11am to 3pm, the first 100 customers at all Sugar Hill Creamery locations can grab a free scoop of this innovative flavor. And fear not, while sadly no longer free, you can still purchase the new ice cream until Wednesday, July 31.
Free One World Observatory x The Museum of Ice Cream scoops and ticket discounts
Not really a surprise that the Museum of Ice Cream is involved with more than one collab on this joyous day but no, sadly it’s not a second ice cream sprinkle pool. The two are partnering to offer a single discounted ticket that offers entrance to both the Museum of Ice Cream and incredible views of the city at the One World Observatory. At the Museum, ticket holders can snag unlimited ice cream, a free beverage, and 10% off at the gift store.
Special Van Leeuwen x Hello Kitty ice cream
Celebrating both National Ice Cream Day and Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, Van Leeuwen is collabing with Kindness.org, a nonprofit organization that inspires kindness, to provide ice cream fanatics with a new flavor. On July 21, this new Yummy Berry White Chocolate Truffle flavor will be available for pint purchase at all locations. And 50% of all profits will go to Kindness.org. Tip: go to the Tribeca location because this frozen palace is going all out on the Hello Kitty theme with sundaes, scoops, shakes and more.
Free soft serve at Tin Building’s Sundae Social
It’s no surprise that your kids might be eager to join in on the day’s festivities, if so, this might be the icy paraphernalia for you. The Spoiled Parrot, a market inside the Tin Building, will be handing out free soft-serve ice cream. It seems they are prioritizing children so make sure your kids get one for you. The space will also have music, face painting and coloring. The event will be from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday. And if you’re looking for something a little more high brow there is also a limited edition ice cream flavor only available on this one day. It is a violet ice cream made with candied violets, raspberry fudge and topped with edible flower confetti and freeze-dried raspberries.
Free Italian ice from In The Raw and Fini Pizza
In The Raw and Fini Pizza have joined forces for the big day. They will give away free Italian ice, ice cream and gelato to the first 200 customers at all three Fini Pizza locations. If you need a break from sweet treats, stop for a slice and then get right back on the ice cream train with its complimentary dessert. In The Raw products will be used in the ice cream, and these will be available from 2 to 5 pm.
Free Talenti “Case of the Mondaes” on DoorDash
Hopefully, the Sunday Scaries won’t be as dire this week because of National Ice Cream Day but if so, Talenti is here to calm your fears. Their new Case of the Mondaes is an elevated sundae kit with sorbet and an array of extravagant toppings. The Case of the Mondaes will be available for free over this most magnificent weekend (Saturday to Monday), only on DoorDash.
Free ice cream with a slice at Pizza Funhouse
Fancy another break from the overwhelming sugar rush you should by now have, grab a slice from Pizza Funhouse and receive a complimentary chocolate or vanilla ice cream. This new Greenwich Village location offers a range of retro style classic American pizza either by the slice or whole pies. So definitely stop by on Sunday and get yourself a free scoop.
Free Cherry Limeade Sorbet at Tipsy Scoop
This boozy ice cream shop is coming in strong for the big day with not one but two collabs, which both offer limited-edition flavors to their hungry fans. Firstly, Tipsy Scoop and Mi Campo Tequila are coming together and giving the world Watermelon Margarita Sorbet, you can get it from all Tipsy Scoop locations during the festivities or order online for the whole month of July. And if that is not enough they are partnering with Beatbox and giving out free Cherry Limeade Sorbet to the first 50 customers, also at all locations.
Doggy scoops with Ollie x Van Leeuwen
Is your dog looking at you forlorn, with those puppy dog eyes, while you lap up your fifth ice cream of the day? Well worry not they can join in on the celebration with Ollie and Van Leeuwen’s latest release. The two have collabed to create a dog friendly, vegan peanut butter banana flavor that even owners can enjoy too. Sounds suspicious but worth a try and available at all Van Leeuwen scoop shops and Petco locations.
Free scopps at Insomnia Cookies
Ready for your final stop of the day? Insomnia cookies is getting involved in the merriment. For the whole weekend, Friday to Sunday, you can get a free cup of ice cream (two scoops) with any purchase. And if you’re really into Insomnia Cookies they are also offering 2x reward points to all rewards members through Sunday.
If all this sounds too much maybe just check out your local ice cream joint, truck or freezer and celebrate from the comfort of your own home. May the ice cream gods shine down upon you!