Sunday, July 21, 2024, 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 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 2024 in the Charlotte area
Urban Sweets Co.
Urban Sweets Co. is bring its mobile ice cream cart to three locations the weekend of National Ice Cream Day, and giving away free ice cream at each spot!
- Friday, 5:30, at Atherton: Free ice cream to first 100 people
- Saturday, 1 p.m., at Macy’s SouthPark: Free ice cream to first 100 people
- Sunday, 12 p.m., at Charlotte Regional Farmers Market: Free ice cream to first 25 people
Carolina Scoops Ice Cream
Carolina Scoops Ice Cream, at 105 Dover Street, Pineville, North Carolina, is offering a free waffle cone with the purchase of any ice cream scoop. Announced on Facebook.
The Local Scoop Charlotte
The Local Scoop is offering a free waffle cone with any purchase of one scoop or more. Christmas in July flavors are available: Candy Cane Crunch and Minter Wonderland. Locations at Parktown Village, in downtown Matthews, and Promenade on Providence. Announced on Facebook.
IKEA
IKEA Family members can get a kid’s cone for $1 on July 21, 2024. Choices are dairy-based vanilla or plant-based strawberry soft ice. In-store only. Details here.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Members of Bruster’s Sweet Rewards Loyalty Program will enjoy Double Points Weekend from July 19 to 21, 2024. Participating locations will offer double points on all ice cream purchases made through its free rewards program. In addition, you can enter online at Brusters.com/sweeps for a chance to enjoy “free ice cream for a year” (a $300 gift card.)
Cold Stone Creamery
From July 17 to July 23, 2024, My Cold Stone Club Rewards members get $5 off a $10 purchase. Valid in-store and on online purchases at coldstonecreamery.com and the Cold Stone app. Text FLOAT24 to LOVEIT and the reward will be loaded to your account. Also in honor of Ice Cream Day, Cold Stone Creamery will be offering some retro, limited-time items, including Orange Cream Float, Root Bear Float and Classic Fudge Sundae. Details in press release.
Dairy Queen
On July 21, 2024, DQ Rewards members get a free Dilly Bar with a DQ App order of $1 or more. Not valid for delivery or with other offers. Limit one per person. Join DQ Rewards.
Dippin’ Dots
Participating Dippin’ Dots locations are giving away a free mini-cup of Dippin’ Dots during a two-hour window on July 21. The window can vary per location. We’ve confirmed that the Dippin’ Dots at Carolina Place Mall is participating from 2 to 4 p.m. The number for the Concord Mills location didn’t work for us. Find other locations of Dippin’ Dots to investigate.
Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies is giving out free ice cream with purchases. From Friday, July 19, to Sunday, July 21, 2024, get two free scoops of ice cream with any purchase in-store, or online and through the app for delivery. Excludes online/in-app pickup orders. You must mention the deal in-store, or add the deal online or in-app prior to checkout. Limit one use per customer per day during the promotional period. The deal is listed on Insomnia Cookie’s Facebook page.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s is partnering with Chinese food company, Fly by Jing, to bring their Sichuan Chili Crisp to scoop shops. Starting Thursday, July 11, 2024, buy a waffle cone featuring three Jeni’s flavors – Darkest Chocolate, Salty Caramel and Double Dough – and get it topped with Chili Crisp at no additional cost.
Marble Slab Creamery
On July 21, 2024, Marble Slab Creamery is offering a free small cup of ice cream to customer when they purchase a cup (small or larger) of ice cream in-store. In addition, all month, get $5 off an Ice Cream Cake when you order online with the promo code CAKE24.
Tiff’s Treats
All brick-and-mortar locations of Tiff’s Treats are offering a special deal on Tiffwhiches, a customizable treat where customers can choose any two cookies to sandwih a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Buy one and get one free! Redeemable only in person. This deal is available through August 31, 2024.
Charlotte locations:
- 4425 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC
- 550 E Brooklyn Village Avenue, Charlotte, NC
- 7314 Waverly Walk, Charlotte, NC
Belmont Police Department
The Belmont Police Department is giving away free ice cream to the first 50 people at each of 8 locations that it will be visiting on July 21, 2024, from 2 to 7:45 p.m. See the locations and schedule of Belmont Police Department’s ice cream giveaway.
Burger King
On National Ice Cream Day, enjoy a free Soft Serve Cone with a $1 minimum purchase. The offer is only available via the BK app.
Harris Teeter
From July 17 to 23, 2024, buy one 46 oz. Turkey Hill Ice Cream, or 16 oz. Blue Bunny Pint, or 4-6 oz. Novelties and get one (equal or lesser value) for free. VIC members only. Listed in Weekly Ad.
Other Deals
In 2023, there were special deals at the following businesses, so we’ll be checking to see if they announce any deals for 2024. Often, the deals are announced at the last minute, so please keep checking back.
- Bossy Beulah’s
- The Local Scoop
- Handel’s Ice Cream
- Abbott’s Frozen Custard
- Wendy’s
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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