National Ice Cream Day 2021: See Steals, Deals & Freebies

CALIFORNIA — Nothing chills our hearts (in a good way) more than a day devoted to ice cream.

In 2021, National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 18 — a celebration that falls annually on the third Sunday of July since President Ronald Reagan signed, possibly the sweetest law ever, onto the books in 1984.

For ice cream devotees, the date translates into freebies and specials from restaurants — and Patch has rounded up some of the best throughout California. Scroll through to find what appeals near you.

If you know of other deals at scoop shops in your neighborhood, share with readers in the comments section.

And Happy National Ice Cream Day, from Patch!

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BASKIN-ROBBINS: Keep it sweet: Purchases of $10 or more can include free, ice cream-scented Kinetic Sand™ on July 18. And from July 18- 24, order via Uber Eats, DoorDash or Postmates & receive $5 off orders of $20 or more. Plus, two, re-mixed Yacht Rock classics also planned to celebrate BR's "Creature Creations® Into the Sea." BR teamed up with TikTok DJ Ian Asher for modern spin on "This Is It" by Kenny Loggins and "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. Songs release July 16 and July 23 through artists' Spotify and Baskin-Robbins' TikTok. BR shop locator here. See details here.

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BRUSTER'S REAL ICE CREAM: Enter the "Sweet Celebrations Contest," running through July, for chance to win free ice cream for a year. Simply submit photos or videos celebrating with your favorite Bruster’s treat. Read all about it here. Locales include Fremont, Cerritos, Cypress, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Orange, Seal Beach & Torrance.

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BURGER KING: Sign up & celebrate Ice Cream Month with a free, vanilla soft serve cup or cone with a $1 purchase at participating locations. Deal runs through July. Info here. Confirm participation with your nearest BK.

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CALI CREAM ICE CREAM: Portion of July 18 sales will go to Reality Changers, a non-profit that helps youth become first-generation college grads & community "agents of change." Menu fave flavors include: Lavender Honeycomb; Gooey Fudge Brownie; Peanut Butter Salted Fudge; and limited-edition Kahlua Espresso Chip, Lemon Cake with Blueberry Sauce & Vegan Pistachio. Find info here on Facebook. Scoop shops in San Diego and Encinitas.

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CARVEL: On July 18, stop by, and try new Churro ice cream treat & get a surprise offer for your next visit, redeemable through Aug. 30. Ten lucky fans also can will win free Carvel ice cream for a year. Enter contest here. Or hang on until Wednesday, and enjoy a BOGO deal: Two sundaes for price of one. Info here. Locale at 11037 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles.

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DAIRY QUEEN: Head to your participating, neighborhood DQ Sunday for $1 off any size Dipped Cone (excluding kid cones), with the DQ mobile app. Use DQ app to redeem, available for download on iOS and Android devices. Info here. Find stores here.

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GELSON'S MARKETS: Enter store sweepstakes, running through July, to win year of free ice cream. Two lucky winners will be selected, and no purchase necessary. Simply fill out form here, and good luck! See markets throughout Southern California.

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GOTT'S ROADSIDE SF: Gott's SF debuts Oatly’s new, dairy-free, 100% vegan soft serve at Ferry Building location in San Francisco. Available in three varieties (chocolate, vanilla & chocolate-vanilla swirl), with such add-ons as toppings, dip options or waffle cones. While the Oatly dairy-free is only in SF, other Gott's throughout the Bay Area offer variety of soft-serve options. See menus & locales here.

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HAAGEN-DAZS SHOPS: Cold brew meets ice cream in this summer's special, the Häagen-Dazs Chameleon Cold-Brew Float, featuring Chameleon Cold-Brew Tripleshot Black Coffee poured over two scoops of classic Häagen-Dazs Vanilla ice cream & topped with whipped cold foam. Offered for limited time at Häagen-Dazs® Shops in California. Find shops here.

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ICREAM: Just in time for National Ice Cream Day, LA-based iCream has installed its new, self-serve, soft-serve vending machine at Westfield Century City. The high-tech unit uses a robotic arm to serve up more than 25 flavor combos with toppings & sauces. Prices start at $3, with toppings and add-ons extra. See company info here. Installations also planned at Westfield Culver City, Westfield Santa Anita Mall, Westfield University Town Center, Westfield Plaza Bonita in San Diego County, Westfield Topanga Mall, Ontario Mills, Del Amo Fashion Center and The Shops in Mission Viejo.

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INIBURGER: Celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 18 with free scoop of vanilla ice cream on the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich. Offer for in-store orders only. Request free ice cream upgrade, and discount will be automatically applied. Locations at 44029 Osgood Road in Fremont and 4233 Rosewood Drive in Pleasanton. Restaurant website here.

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INSOMNIA COOKIES: Enjoy a free scoop of ice cream with any in-store or online delivery ($6 minimum) purchase. To redeem, mention deal in-store or use code ICECREAMDAY online for delivery. Details here. Also: Monster Cookie Sundaes and Monster'wich cookie treats are $5 during month of July. Location finder.

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JOE'S ICE CREAM SHOP: On Sunday, the San Francisco shop is giving away free scoops of new "Sprinkle Kindness" ice cream, courtesy of GoFundMe, to thank community for GoFundMe fundraiser support that raised nearly $10,500 during the business' trying past year. And throughout rest of July, a portion of "Sprinkle Kindness" scoop sales will be donated to Aim High, a Bay Area non-profit supporting education. Joe's is at 5420 Geary Blvd., between 19th & 18th avenues.

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99 RANCH MARKET: Stock up on National Ice Cream Day deals, some as low as $1.50, that run through Sunday. Via mobile app only. Go here to download app. Info here. Store locator here.

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PRESSED: Formerly Pressed Juicery, the company serves cold-pressed juice and plant-based soft-serve freezes and vegan pints. Through July 19, Pressed Members can purchase one item from each menu category for just $2. Categories include Soft Serve, along with Juices, Smoothies, Smoothie Bowls & Shots. See news release here for details. Find stores here.

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RORI'S ARTISANAL CREAMERY: Enjoy a BOGO Kid's Happy Hour on Sunday: Buy single scoop, and get second free for your child. Info here. Locations: Montana Avenue, Santa Monica; West Victoria Street, Santa Barbara; Coast Village Road, Montecito; Linden Avenue, Carpinteria; and Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo. Hours vary by site.

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SALT & STRAW: For month of July, the company collaborated with Chef Heena Patel, of San Francisco's Besharam restaurant, for new ice cream flavor: Besharam’s Yogurt Lassi with Raspberries (with rosewater, cardamom & raspberry jam) . Available at all locales. Other July flavors: Birthday Cakes & Blackberries; Wild-Foraged Berry Slab Pie; Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero; and Boysenberry Oat Milk Sherbet (v). Shops in: Anaheim; Burlingame; Del Mar; Los Angeles; Palo Alto; San Diego; San Francisco; Studio City.

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SENSODYNE: The toothpaste company is hosting a "Live Every Mo-Mint" sweepstakes on Twitter for same-day delivery of mint ice cream and coordinating swag. To redeem a free kit on National Ice Cream Day: tweet #LiveEveryMoMint on Sunday, July 18 starting 12AM ET. Or enter to win via this link. Participants will receive same-day delivery of ice cream, Sensodyne Rapid Relief, cooler, hat, sunglasses & beach ball. Info here. For residents in certain Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. See contest details here.

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7-ELEVEN: Not an ice cream offer, but it is another July, cool-down freebie! Stores are adding one free, small Slurpee coupon to accounts of 7Rewards® loyalty app members. See promo details here.

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STEAK 'N SHAKE: Sign up for Rewards Club, and score free ice cream, milk shake. Info here. Find locations in San Jose, Santa Monica, Temecula, Victorville & Yucca Valley

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SWEET ROSE CREAMERY: Join Loyalty Program, and earn 1 point for every $1 you spent toward free treat like ice cream, toppings, pints & sundaes. New July flavors include Peach Crumble, Blueberry Muffin, Stone Fruit Sorbets & Dairy-Free Strawberry Coconut. Shops in Santa Monica and Brentwood Country Mart, Los Angeles.

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TCBY: A limited-time offer is underway for new app users, offering $3 reward for $10 spent in July. See here for details. The new TCBY Insider members also will receive special perks through July 31. Find California shops here.

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THE DOLLY LLAMA: It's a BOGO deal on Sunday: Buy one scoop, and get one free. Among tasty options: "cookie monster" (blue ice cream with Oreos & chocolate cookie dough), cinnamon horchata, matcha green tea & salted caramel. Offer does not include vegan flavors. Locations: Downtown Los Angeles (611 S. Spring St.); Koreatown (273 S. Western Ave.); and Sherman Oaks (14545 Ventura Blvd.). Website here.

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WHOLE FOODS MARKET: On National Ice Cream Day, the supermarket chain will announce its new & exclusive ice cream flavor for next year— a choice narrowed down to Frosted Animal Cookie or Almondmilk Birthday Blondie. Voting underway through July 16 via Facebook comments here.

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WIENERSCHNITZEL: Use this coupon to get a 20-ounce Candy Shake for $3 through July. Find your closest locale here.

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YOGURTLAND: On July 18, Real Rewards members can earn 3x the points for in-stores and online orders. Summer flavors include Big Pop Sorbet and Passion Orange Guava Tart. Reward members must order online from participating locations or via Yogurtland app to redeem. Offer not valid for third-party delivery or gift card purchases. Find shops here.

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YOUR PIE: The pizza restaurant in Indio is giving away free scoops of gelato on Sunday when downloading the Your Pie Rewards app before July 18. No purchase necessary. See info here. Check with location to confirm participation.

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FOR MORE RESTAURANT & RECIPE NEWS FROM PATCH:

• Grab Your Cowboy Hat & Boots For Black Angus Freebie: California
• Guy Fieri Surprises Oakland Taqueria With $25K Grant
• Acclaimed Chef Nancy Silverton Opens Hollywood Roosevelt Eatery
• Popular Chef Brings Filipino Heritage To New SF Restaurant
• Avocado's Time To Shine: New Recipes From CA Chef Brian Malarkey
• 'Flower Burger LA' Brings Hippie-Hued, Vegan Fare To Westside

--Go Fund Me is a Patch promotional partner.