National Ice Cream Day is coming up this Sunday, and several shops around Fairfax County will celebrate with free scoops and other deals.
Like many food-related “holidays,” the occasion originated as essentially a promotion, in this case for the ice cream industry and dairy farmers. The first National Ice Cream Day was set for July 15, 1984 by then-president Ronald Reagan, who also declared July to be National Ice Cream Month.
Now, National Ice Cream Day is recognized on the third Sunday of July, which will be July 21 this year. In anticipation, the International Dairy Foods Association highlighted a recent survey that identified vanilla, chocolate and strawberry as Americans’ favorite flavors, though the slightly more adventurous butter pecan and cookie dough rounded out the top five.
For those looking to welcome the arrival of more bearable summer weather with a cool treat, here are some of the ice cream shops and businesses around Fairfax County offering National Ice Cream Day promotions.
Dolcezza Gelato (2905 District Avenue, Merrifield)
For Dolcezza Gelato, this year’s National Ice Cream Day will coincide with the 20-year mark since couple Violeta Edelman and Robb Duncan opened their first store in Georgetown in 2004. They now have five retail locations, including one that launched at the Mosaic District in 2012, and their gelato and coffee can be found online and in restaurants.
To celebrate both its 20th anniversary and National Ice Cream Day, the business will give away free chocotorta gelato at all five of its shops on Sunday. Customers can also get a second gelato pint at half-price if they buy one pre-packed pint.
“To get free scoop of Chocotorta gelato, customers can wish Dolcezza Happy Birthday when they place their order,” Dolcezza said in a press release. “The Chocotorta is a dulce de leche gelato with a chocolate-cookie-dulce-de-leche-mousse cake folded into it.”
Toby’s Ice Cream (280 Cedar Lane SE, Vienna)
Dolcezza isn’t the only D.C. area ice cream parlor celebrating an anniversary on National Ice Cream Day. Toby’s Ice Cream will observe the 16th birthday of its original shop in Arlington’s Westover neighborhood.
Throughout the day, the business will offer a free small cup or cone to anyone who visits one of its locations, which now include spots in Vienna and near Amazon’s HQ2, and says “Happy sweet 16 to Toby’s.”
“One small scoop per person, one visit only, must be said before purchase [is] complete, and other restrictions may apply,” co-owner Toby Bantug noted by email.
Moo Thru Herndon (317 Spring Street, Herndon)
Moo Thru Herndon, one of the area’s newest ice cream slingers, will offer a 15% discount all day, and anyone committed enough to wear a cow costume in the middle of July gets 50% off one item.
Opened on June 7, the Herndon franchise is the first Northern Virginia location for Moo Thru, which was originally started in Remington in 2010 by a dairy farmer. Local franchisees and longtime Herndon residents Frank and Caitlin Kenney also run the coffee shop, Old Town Coffee, that opened next door earlier this month.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream (locations in Vienna, Franconia and the Fair Oaks area)
The Pennsylvania-based chain is celebrating National Ice Cream Month with a “sweet-stakes” where customers can enter to win free scoops for an entire year. The contest will be open online to all U.S. residents 18 and older through July 31.
Bruster’s is also celebrating its 35th anniversary with a new cookie jar crunch flavor. Franchises can be found in Franconia at 6463 Old Beulah Street, the Fair Oaks area at 3903 Fair Ridge Drive, Suite S, and in Vienna at 237 Maple Avenue.
Insomnia Cookies (10669 Braddock Road, Suite D-7, Fairfax)
Insomnia Cookies is kicking off its ice cream day promotion early, offering a free cup of ice cream with any purchase starting today until 3 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Monday (July 22).
The promo is available for both in-store and online purchases, though local pickup orders made online or through the business’ app are excluded, according to an Instagram post.
Started in 2003 by a University of Pennsylvania student, the bakery has over 200 locations nationwide and opened its first Fairfax County shop at University Mall in July 2022.
Jake’s Ice Cream (6353 Columbia Pike, Lincolnia)
This Sunday, customers can get a free “dry” topping — meaning nuts, M&Ms, chocolate chips and other non-saucy or creamy additions — on any ice cream cup. The shop will also sell two special flavors: cherry vanilla and raspberry lemonade.
Located in Barcroft Plaza, Jake’s Ice Cream started during the pandemic with the goal of providing employment for people with disabilities. Owner Robin Rinearson expanded the business last year with a gourmet popcorn shop, and she has been awarded for her work by the Arc of Northern Virginia and Pozez Jewish Community Center.
Tysons Creamery
While it doesn’t have a physical retail shop, Tysons Creamery has been celebrating National Ice Cream Month with a 20% discount on all catering orders placed before this Sunday, July 21. Owned by Catherine Ahearn, who had a career in health care before pivoting to food, the business serves handmade scoops at parties, corporate gatherings, festivals and other events.
Fairfax County Park Authority
The park authority won’t be offering any free ice cream, but it is recognizing National Ice Cream Month with some special programs, including a garden tour at Green Spring Gardens (4603 Green Spring Road) in Lincolnia and dairy days at the Sully Historic Site (3650 Historic Sully Way) in Chantilly.
“Tour the vibrant summer gardens with a Green Spring Master Gardener docent,” the description for the garden tour says. “Finish at the Historic House lawn to enjoy delicious ices, served with toppings and garnishes.”
The garden tour will take place tomorrow (Saturday) from 10-11:30 a.m. and costs $15.
Sully Historic Site’s final Dairy Day will be at 1-1:45 p.m. today (Friday) after previous events were held on July 5 and 13. For an $8 fee, attendees learn how to “churn butter, crank ice cream, milk a fake cow, play 18th-century games and experience the products of a historic dairy,” according to the park authority.
