# Ice Cream Day Brings Free Scoops and Steep Discounts Across Major Chains
National Ice Cream Day arrives with wallet-friendly treats from major chains. Here's what's actually free and what costs money.
Ben & Jerry's offers a free ice cream sample at participating scoop shops, though a full pint costs the regular $5 to $6. Baskin-Robbins gives free small scoops with any purchase, making it a modest bonus rather than a pure freebie. Cold Stone Creamery discounts select creations by 20 percent for one day only.
Dairy Queen runs a buy-one-get-one deal on Blizzards at many locations, though participating shops vary. Graeter's provides a free small cup of ice cream to loyalty program members, requiring you to join first. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams cuts 20 percent off pints during the promotion window.
Insomnia Cookies delivers free cookie sandwiches with ice cream to app users only. Marble Slab Creamery drops prices on hand-scooped ice cream by about 30 percent. Mcconnell's offers free samples and discount codes for future purchases. Rita's Italian Ice gives free small servings to loyalty members. Serendipity 3 discounts premium offerings by up to 25 percent.
The catch: most deals require in-store visits only. Many apply only to loyalty app members. Some chains limit offers to specific locations or single days in mid-July.
The real savings come from loyalty programs. If you're not enrolled in these apps already, joining costs nothing and opens access to freebies beyond ice cream day. Blizzard buy-one-get-one deals at DQ and Marble Slab's percentage discounts offer