Sunday, July 20, 2025, is National Ice Cream Day. It’s a perfect time to try one of the many great ice cream shops in the Charlotte area! Here’s a list of the best ice cream shops in the Charlotte area, as selected by Charlotte on the Cheap readers. There’s an interactive map to help you plan your adventure!
We’re also putting together a big list of National Ice Cream Day deals! Make sure to check the date on each item (and follow any links) because they might not take place exactly on National Ice Cream Day.
National Ice Cream Day 2025 in the Charlotte area
We’ll be adding the deals right here when they’re announced!
DQ
DQ is offering Rewards members a FREE Dilly Bar starting July 14, 2025, with any order of $1 or more. The deal will be available through July 20, but you can redeem the freebie just once in that time period.
Dilly Bars are made with vanilla soft serve and dipped in a crunchy coating of chocolate, cherry, or butterscotch.
Download the DQ App and join DQ Rewards to unlock this limited-time offer.
Carolina Scoops
Carolina Scoops, 105 Dover Street, Pineville, North Carolina, is offering free waffle cones on July 20, 2025, with the purchase of ice cream. Their hours are 12 to 9 p.m. Announced on Facebook.
Dippin’ Dots
Dippin’ Dots is giving away a free mini-cup on July 20, 2025. Participating shops are doing the giveaway during a two-hour window, as determined by the shop. No purchase required. Plus, the first 100 people in line will score a souvenir take home cup in addition to the free mini cup of Dippin’ Dots.
The Carolina Place location is participating from 2 to 4 p.m. For other locations, please call the shop.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Handel’s is celebrating its 80th anniversary by offering a free small scoop of any flavor on July 20, 2025, to anyone who is at least 80 years old. No purchase required. Charlotte area locations in Steele Creek, Indian Land, Gastonia and Cornelius. Find more locations.
The Social Cow
Social Cow, at Market at 7th Street, 224 E 7th Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, is celebrating National Ice Cream Day on July 20, 2025, by putting stickers on the bottom of some cups, offering prizes like free ice cream scoops, gift cards and more. Announced on Instagram.
Marble Slab Creamery
Every Sunday in July, Marble Slab Creamery loyalty members will be presented with surprise offers that are valid for seven days. On July 20, 2025, loyalty members will receive a free small Ice Cream offer, valid for seven days.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
On July 20, 2025, guests can add Jeni’s new Sundae Fudge Sauce to any order for free.
Wendy’s
On July 20, 2025, Wendy’s is giving away a free small Frosty with any purchase at participating locations.
The giveaway includes the Classic Frosty, Frosty Swirl or Frosty Fusion.
Limit one per person. The offer is available only for Wendy’s Rewards members via the restaurant’s app. Join Wendy’s Rewards here.
Lidl
On Sunday, July 20, spend $40 or more in-store at Lidl and enjoy a FREE Bon Gelati or Gelatelli frozen product, including Bon Gelati Mini Mix Bars, Gelatelli Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, Bon Gelati Frozen Dairy Dessert Cones and more, by clipping the coupon in the MyLidl app (while supplies last).
Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter’s weekly ad includes buy one get one free deals (for VIP customers) on:
- Luigi’s Italian Ice
- Jonny Pops
- Blue Bunny Soft Serve Ice Cream
- Chipwich Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Bubbies Mochi
Deals might vary per store.
Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies announced through a Facebook story and an email that customers can get a free scoop of ice cream from July 18 to 20, 2025, when they make an in-store purchase of at least $5. You might want to call your local store to verify that they know about the deal and are participating.
Halo Top
Get a free pint of Halo Top if you share a name with an ice cream brand. So if your name is Ben or Jerry or Edy, Jeni, or your last name is Robbins, Oatly or Hill, etc. you’re eligible. You get the idea! Halo Top will reimburse you for a pint of Halo Top (up to $8) when you fill out their online form with your proof of purchase.
They are paying for up to 8,000 pints, through July 20, 2025 (and we won’t know when they’ve reached that limit.) Details about Halo Top’s National Ice Cream Day deal.
Petco
Bring your dog to Petco for a free pup cup of ice cream in-store, courtesy of participating brands. While supplies last, at participating locations.
Check back!
In 2024, there were special deals at the following businesses, so we’ll be checking to see if they announce any deals for 2025. Often, the deals are announced at the last minute, so please keep checking back.
- The Local Scoop
- IKEA
- Bruster’s
- Cold Stone Creamery
- Tiff’s Treats
- Burger King
Best food and drink deals and events in Charlotte
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
Deals offered by national chains are usually “participating locations only.” We can’t generally verify participation with a particular location, so we encourage you to contact the location to make sure. In addition, limited time offers can end without warning. Deals may not be available when you order from a 3rd party delivery service.
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Upcoming Food and Drink Deals and Events
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