Did you know that ice cream dates back as far as the second century B.C.? Leaders like Alexander the Great, Nero Claudius Caesar, and Marco Polo all enjoyed our favorite sweet treat. That’s a history worth celebrating — and there’s no better time to celebrate than National Ice Cream Day.
The national holiday is observed on the third Sunday of every year; this year, it falls on July 20. In honor of the occasion, many NoVA scoop shops will offer discounted or free ice cream. Here’s where to get your fix.
Ice Cream Jubilee
Buy one scoop and get your second scoop free on all the signature and seasonal flavors. Its seasonal flavors include banana pudding, banana bourbon caramel, vanilla fudge ripple, mint chocolate brownie, and cookies and cookie dough. 11990 Market St., Ste. D, Reston; 151 W. Falls Station Blvd., Falls Church
Dolcezza
Stop by Dolcezza for a free scoop of the Chocotorta flavor from noon to 4 p.m. It combines chocolate cookies, rich dulce de leche gelato, and caramel mousse cake. Other flavors include peanut butter stracciatella, mascarpone and berries, milk chocolate, and salted caramel. 2905 District Ave., Fairfax
Jake’s Ice Cream
Swing by and enjoy a free topping with any scoop in a cup. Specialty flavors include Heathen Irish, Heidi Teaberry Shuffle, and Cheesecake Sunset. Jake’s Ice Cream also includes gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options. 6353 Columbia Pike, Falls Church
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is celebrating the holiday by offering its rewards members a free Dilly Bar with any online or in-app purchase of $1 or more from July 14 to 20. Multiple area locations
Cold Stone Creamery
All week, Cold Stone Creamery is honoring the holiday with promotional deals until July 20. Plus, it has debuted a new birthday cake Oreo cookie ice cream taco. On July 20, guests can enter for a chance to win ice cream for an entire year. Multiple area locations
Kilwins
From July 20 to 31, Kilwins fans can enter for a chance to win free ice cream for a year by tagging a friend in the comments on an Instagram post with the hashtag #Kilwins_Sweepstakes. The winner will receive a $600 e-gift card. 212 King St., Alexandria
Jeni’s
For one day only, Jeni’s is offering its brand-new sundae fudge sauce for free with any scoop-shop order. The rich chocolate sauce with a hint of sea salt is the perfect complement to Jeni’s new summer collection including popcorn brittle and toasted s’mores. 4150 Campbell Ave., Arlington; 102 S. Patrick St., Alexandria
Feature image courtesy Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
