Welcome to the most complete list of national days and months dedicated to all things ice cream. This calendar includes 43 ice cream-related days and three ice cream-related months, including ice cream types, desserts, frozen treats, and drinks made with ice cream.
Among these, National Ice Cream Day, celebrated on the third Sunday in July, stands out as the most “official” and significant ice cream day. Additionally, July is recognized as National Ice Cream Month, making it the peak time for celebrating this beloved treat.
🍦 National Ice Cream Calendar
Explore all national days and month-long celebrations dedicated to ice cream, frozen treats, milkshakes, and more.
- January 13 – National Peach Melba Day
- January 15 – National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
- January 15 – Eskimo Pie Day / Edy’s Pie Day
- February 1 – National Baked Alaska Day
- First Saturday in February – Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
- February 6 – National Frozen Yogurt Day
- February 18 – Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
- March 3 – 33 Flavors Day
- March 15 – Pears Hélène Day
- March 28 – National Something on a Stick Day
- March 28 – Eat an Eskimo Pie Day / Eat an Edy’s Pie Day
- May 27 – National Grape Popsicle Day
- June 2 – National Rocky Road Day
- June 7 – National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
- June 10 – National Black Cow Day
- June 20 – National Ice Cream Soda Day
- June 20 – National Vanilla Milkshake Day
- June 27 – National Ice Cream Cake Day
- Last Thursday in June – National Bomb Pop Day
- July 1 – National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day
- July 7 – National Strawberry Sundae Day
- July 8 – National Freezer Pop Day
- July 8 – National Ice Cream Sundae Day
- July 17 – National Peach Ice Cream Day
- Third Sunday in July – National Ice Cream Day
- July 23 – National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
- July 25 – National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
- July 26 – National Coffee Milkshake Day
- August 2 – National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
- August 6 – National Root Beer Float Day
- August 14 – National Creamsicle Day
- August 18 – National Ice Cream Pie Day
- August 19 – National Soft Ice Cream Day
- August 21 – National Spumoni Day
- August 25 – National Banana Split Day
- August 26 – National Cherry Popsicle Day
- September 2 – National Blueberry Popsicle Day
- September 6 – National Coffee Ice Cream Day
- September 22 – National Ice Cream Cone Day
- September 24 – National Cherries Jubilee Day
- November 11 – National Sundae Day
- December 13 – Ice Cream Day
- June – National Frozen Yogurt Month
- July – National Ice Cream Month
- September – Shake Month
Complete List of National Ice Cream Days
Ice cream has more dedicated food holidays than almost any other dessert. While National Ice Cream Day in July is the most popular—celebrated during National Ice Cream Month—there are many other dates throughout the year honoring specific flavors, styles, and traditions.
January 13: National Peach Melba Day
National Peach Melba Day honors a classic French dessert made of poached peaches and raspberry sauce served over vanilla ice cream. It was created in the late 19th century by French chef Auguste Escoffier at the Savoy Hotel to honor Australian opera singer Nellie Melba after her performance at the Royal Opera House.
January 15: National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
National Strawberry Ice Cream Day celebrates one of the most popular and recognizable ice cream flavors. Strawberry consistently ranks among the top three ice cream flavors in the United States, alongside vanilla and chocolate. Often considered part of the classic trinity of traditional ice cream flavors, it remains very popular worldwide.
Eskimo Pie Day / Edy’s Pie Day
Eskimo Pie Day marks the anniversary of the 1922 patent for one of the first chocolate-covered ice cream bars. The treat was created by Christian Nelson after a child in his shop could not choose between ice cream and a chocolate bar, inspiring him to combine the two.
February 1: National Baked Alaska Day
National Baked Alaska Day celebrates a layered dessert made of sponge cake, ice cream, and a thick coating of toasted meringue. The dessert is briefly baked at high heat, allowing the meringue to brown while the ice cream stays frozen inside due to the insulating air in the meringue.
The dish is commonly attributed to chef Charles Ranhofer of Delmonico’s, who reportedly created it in 1867 to mark the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia. The name reflects the contrast between the cold interior and the warm, browned exterior.
February 2: National Heavenly Hash Day
National Heavenly Hash Day celebrates a century-old American confectionery concept that exists in three primary forms: a traditional New Orleans candy, a creamy fruit salad, and a popular ice cream flavor. While ingredients vary, the defining combination usually includes marshmallows, nuts (usually almonds or pecans), and chocolate or fruit.Â
February 7, 2026* (First Saturday in February): Ice Cream For Breakfast Day
Ice Cream for Breakfast Day was created in the 1960s by a mom named Florence Rappaport from New York. On a cold and snowy morning, her six children were bored and complaining about the weather. To cheer them up and keep them entertained, Florence suggested having ice cream for breakfast.
ℹ️ Do not confuse this day with Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day on February 18.
Although the names sound very similar, the February 18 observance is a separate global awareness day focused on childhood cancer, using ice cream as a symbolic way to honor children affected by the disease.
February 6: National Frozen Yogurt Day / National Froyo Day
National Frozen Yogurt Day honors the tangy, creamy dessert that rose to popularity in the 1980s as a lighter alternative to traditional ice cream. Made with cultured milk, frozen yogurt has a distinct tart flavor and smooth texture.
The observance was launched in 1993 by the American chain TCBY as a promotional event. Today, it is often marked by special offers at major frozen yogurt shops.
February 18: Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, observed annually on February 18, was created in honor of Malia Grace Peterson, who enjoyed eating ice cream for breakfast during her battle with cancer. The day raises awareness for childhood cancer and encourages support for affected families.
Participants share photos of their morning ice cream using hashtags such as #KidsGetCancerToo to spread awareness and show solidarity. For more information, you can visit the event’s website.
March 3: 33 Flavors Day
33 Flavors Day is celebrated annually on March 3 and encourages ice cream fans to step outside their usual choices and try new or unexpected flavors.
The holiday’s origin is somewhat unclear. Although many people associate it with Baskin-Robbins, known for its 31 flavors, some believe the name may reference the former American chain Bresler’s 33 Flavors, which once offered two more flavors than its competitor.
March 15: National Pears Helene Day
National Pears Hélène Day honors a classic French dessert made of warm poached pears served with vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate sauce.
It was created around 1864 by renowned French chef Auguste Escoffier and named after the operetta La belle Hélène by Jacques Offenbach. Early versions were garnished with crystallized violets, modern versions often use sliced almonds for a simpler touch.
March 28: National Something On a Stick Day
National Something On a Stick Day encourages people to enjoy all kinds of foods served on a stick. While not directly related to ice cream, there are many delicious ice cream options that come on a stick. Many of these, by the way, have their own dedicated days, so keep riding to find them all.
- Ice Cream Bars: Classic vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate, like the famous Magnum or Dove bars.
- Popsicles: Frozen fruit juice or flavored ice treats, such as classic orange, grape, and cherry popsicles.
- Fudgsicles: Chocolate-flavored ice cream bars that are rich and creamy.
- Creamsicles: A combination of vanilla ice cream surrounded by a layer of fruit-flavored ice, like orange or raspberry.
- Klondike Bars: Vanilla ice cream covered in a thick layer of chocolate, often with variations like mint or caramel.
March 28: Eat an Eskimo Pie Day
Eat an Eskimo Pie Day celebrates the invention of America’s first chocolate-covered ice cream bar. While it shares its history with Eskimo Pie Day, celebrated on January 24 to mark the anniversary of the ice cream’s 1922 patent, the March holiday focuses on simply enjoying the classic dessert.
The product was later renamed Edy’s Pie in 2020 after the company retired the original name, which used a term many Inuit and Yupik communities consider outdated and inappropriate. Some now refer to the celebration as Eat an Edy’s Pie Day.
May 27: National Grape Popsicle Day
National Grape Popsicle Day celebrates one of the most recognizable flavors of the classic frozen ice pop. The day also recalls the accidental invention of the popsicle in 1905 by 11-year-old Frank Epperson, who left a cup of sugary drink with a stirring stick outside on a freezing night. The mixture froze solid, leading to what would later become a widely popular frozen dessert.
June 2: National Rocky Road Day
National Rocky Road Day honors the well-known combination of chocolate ice cream, marshmallows, and nuts. The flavor is most often credited to William Dreyer and Joseph Edy, who mass-marketed it in 1929 in Oakland, California.
Introduced at the start of the Great Depression, the name reflected the difficult economic period. However, Fentons Creamery also claims that its candy maker, Melvin Fletcher, first created the flavor by cutting marshmallows into chocolate ice cream using his wife’s sewing scissors.
June 7: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
National Chocolate Ice Cream Day honors what is often considered the world’s second most popular ice cream flavor. While vanilla currently holds the top spot, chocolate ice cream was actually invented first, with the earliest frozen chocolate recipes appearing in Naples, Italy, in 1692—decades before vanilla recipes were recorded.Â
June 10: National Black Cow Day
National Black Cow Day celebrates a refreshing beverage known as the black cow, or more commonly, the root beer float, made with root beer and vanilla ice cream.Â
The beverage was famously invented in 1893 by Frank J. Wisner in Cripple Creek, Colorado, after he noticed that the snow-capped peak of Cow Mountain resembled a scoop of vanilla ice cream floating in dark soda. Some variations use chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla, calling it a “brown cow.”
June 20: National Ice Cream Soda Day
National Ice Cream Soda Day honors the classic fizzy drink made of flavored syrup, carbonated water, and scoops of ice cream. Served in tall glasses at traditional soda fountains, it became a popular American treat in the late 19th century.
Although several inventors have been suggested, the drink is most commonly credited to Robert McCay Green in Philadelphia in 1874. According to popular accounts, he ran out of crushed ice one day and substituted ice cream instead, creating an instant sensation.Â
June 20: National Vanilla Milkshake Day
National Vanilla Milkshake Day honors the classic combination of vanilla ice cream, milk, and vanilla extract.Â
The word milkshake first appeared in print in 1885, but it referred to an alcoholic mixture made with whiskey and eggs. The modern, kids-friendly version was born in 1922 when a Walgreens employee added two scoops of ice cream to a malted milk drink, creating a classic milkshake still popular today.
June 27: National Ice Cream Cake Day
National Ice Cream Cake Day celebrates the popular fusion of two classic desserts. It was founded in 2018 by the Jurado Family and Cupcakes for a Cause in honor of Johanna Jurado, who was given a homemade ice cream cake on her birthday each year on that date.
June 25, 2026* (Last Thursday in June): National Bomb Pop Day
National Bomb Pop Day highlights the red-white-and-blue popsicle with three distinct flavors: cherry on top, lime in the middle, and blue raspberry at the bottom. It was created in 1955 by James S. Merritt and D.S. Abernethy in Kansas City, designed to resemble a six-finned bomb during the Cold War era.
July 1: National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day
National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day invites people to try something they would not normally order. Instead of sticking to vanilla or chocolate, it is a chance to sample unexpected options like lavender honey, fresh basil, or even savory options like blue cheese or bacon. The day also marks the start of National Ice Cream Month, prompting local creameries to try some new experimental batches.
July 7: National Strawberry Sundae Day
National Strawberry Sundae Day highlights the combination of vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce, and fresh berries. Ice cream sundaes first appeared in the late 1800s, and the strawberry version became a regular menu item in American soda fountains, especially during the summer when the fruit was in season.
July 8: National Freezer Pop Day
National Freezer Pop Day celebrates the bright, icy treats that come in plastic tubes, often sold under names like Otter Pops or Fla-Vor-Ice. Founded in 2020 by The Jel Sert Company, the day is an invitation to toss a few in the freezer and enjoy a cold, sweet break on a warm day.
July 8: National Ice Cream Sundae Day
National Ice Cream Sundae Day commemorates the legendary treat that typically consists of scoops of ice cream topped with syrup, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. The dessert dates back to the late 1800s, when it was served as a Sunday-friendly alternative to ice cream sodas in places where laws restricted fizzy drinks on that day.
July 17: National Peach Ice Cream Day
National Peach Ice Cream Day celebrates the refreshing combination of sweet cream and ripe summer peaches. Occurring during the peak of peach harvesting season and right in the middle of National Ice Cream Month, the day recognizes peach ice cream as one of the original 31 flavors introduced by Baskin-Robbins in 1945.
July 19, 2026* (Third Sunday in July ): National Ice Cream Day
National Ice Cream Day is the biggest celebration of ice cream in the United States, surpassing other ice cream-related observances. It was established in 1984 by Ronald Reagan, who also declared July National Ice Cream Month. Many people mark the day by trying a new flavor, visiting a local scoop shop, or sharing ice cream with family or friends.
July 23: National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
National Vanilla Ice Cream Day celebrates the top-selling ice cream flavor in the United States, which consistently ranks as the #1 favorite for roughly 38% of Americans, outperforming chocolate and strawberry. It is often the base for sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, pies, and root beer floats.
July 25: National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
National Hot Fudge Sundae Day celebrates the decadent combination of cold vanilla ice cream and warm, thick chocolate sauce. The holiday highlights a dessert generally credited to Clarence Clifton Brown, who introduced the hot fudge sundae at his Los Angeles ice cream parlor, C.C. Brown’s, in 1906.
July 26: National Coffee Milkshake Day
National Coffee Milkshake Day celebrates the mix of brewed coffee and ice cream blended into a cold, creamy drink. It is a good excuse to enjoy the flavor of coffee in a sweeter, dessert-style version that feels more like a treat than a morning pick-me-up.
August 2: National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
National Ice Cream Sandwich Day honors the portable frozen treat made of ice cream pressed between two cookies, wafers, or slices of cake. The first ice cream sandwiches were sold for a penny in the late 1890s by street vendors in New York City’s Bowery neighborhood. These early versions used thin graham wafers or sponge cake instead of the modern chocolate cookie.
August 6: National Root Beer Float Day
National Root Beer Float Day honors the classic combination of cold root beer and creamy vanilla ice cream. This drink is closely related to National Black Cow Day, which is celebrated on June 10 and also highlights this delightful beverage.
August 14: National Creamsicle Day
National Creamsicle Day celebrates the classic frozen dessert featuring a creamy vanilla ice cream center encased in a tangy orange sherbet shell. The Creamsicle brand was officially introduced in 1937 after the Joe Lowe Company bought his rights and expanded the product line.
August 18: National Ice Cream Pie Day
National Ice Cream Pie Day is dedicated to refreshing fusion of two classic desserts. The holiday highlights the evolution from simply adding a scoop of ice cream to a warm pie to creating an entire pie using softened ice cream set in a crumb or pastry crust.
Although ice cream pies have been enjoyed for decades, the dedicated day is believed to have been established in the late 1940s to recognize this distinctive pairing.
August 19: National Soft Ice Cream Day
National Soft Ice Cream Day honors the creamy, smooth texture of soft ice cream, also known as soft serve.
The holiday commemorates its accidental invention in 1934 by Tom Carvel, whose ice cream truck got a flat tire in Hartsdale, New York, during a hot Memorial Day weekend. As his ice cream began to melt, he sold it in its softer form to passersby, who enjoyed the creamy consistency so much that he later opened his first permanent shop at that same location.
August 21: National Spumoni Day
National Spumoni Day honors the layered Italian-American dessert that inspired Neapolitan ice cream.
Originating in Naples, Italy, spumoni is a molded frozen dessert made of three layers of flavored gelato—traditionally chocolate, pistachio, and cherry—often combined with candied fruits and nuts. Its name comes from the Italian word spuma, meaning “foam,” referring to its light texture, sometimes enhanced with whipped cream.
August 25: National Banana Split Day
National Banana Split Day honors the iconic dessert served in a long, boat-shaped dish with a split banana, three scoops of ice cream—vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry—and a variety of toppings.
Most historians credit David Strickler, a 23-year-old apprentice pharmacist, with inventing the treat at Tassel Pharmacy. He is also credited with designing the original glass “banana boat” dish made to hold the split fruit.
August 26: National Cherry Popsicle Day
National Cherry Popsicle Day is dedicated to one of the most popular popsicle flavors, made from cherry-flavored liquid—usually a blend of cherry juice or syrup, water, and sugar—poured into molds and frozen on a stick.
September 2: National Blueberry Popsicle Day
National Blueberry Popsicle Day recognizes a specific popsicle flavor made from blueberry juice or purée mixed with water and sugar, then poured into molds and frozen on sticks. It highlights a simple, fruity way to cool down and enjoy the taste of blueberries.
September 6: National Coffee Ice Cream Day
National Coffee Ice Cream Day honors coffee ice cream that blends the flavors of coffee and cream. Although coffee was once considered a luxury, a coffee-flavored frozen parfait appeared in a recipe as early as 1869. By the mid-20th century, coffee ice cream had become a standard offering in parlors and grocery stores, and by 1948 it ranked as the fifth most popular flavor at Howard Johnson’s.
September 22: National Ice Cream Cone Day
National Ice Cream Cone Day commemorates the invention of the ice cream cone, the portable treat that made it easier to enjoy ice cream on the go.
The date marks September 22, 1903, when Italian immigrant Italo Marchiony applied for a U.S. patent for a mold that created edible pastry cups to replace the unsanitary glass “penny licks” used by street vendors. Although Marchiony secured the early patent, the waffle cone became widely known the following year at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, when waffle vendor Ernest Hamwi rolled his pastries into cones to help a neighboring ice cream seller who had run out of dishes.
September 24: National Cherries Jubilee Day
National Cherries Jubilee Day honors the dessert made with dark cherries and brandy flambéed over vanilla ice cream.
The dish was created by French chef Auguste Escoffier, who first prepared it for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 to mark her 50th year on the throne. He originally served the cherries in warm syrup, later adding the tableside flambé and ice cream for her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
November 11: National Sundae Day
National Sundae Day honor one of America’s most beloved ice cream desserts, made with ice cream and topped with syrup, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. Originating in the late 19th century, the sundae has several claimed birthplaces, including Ithaca, New York and Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and it remains popular for its many flavor combinations.
December 13: Ice Cream Day
Ice Cream Day is different from National Ice Cream Day in July and offers another opportunity to enjoy ice cream during the winter months.
National Ice Cream Months
June: National Frozen Yogurt Month
National Frozen Yogurt Month is dedicated to celebrating the tangy, creamy delight of frozen yogurt. Often enjoyed as an alternative to ice cream for its probiotic benefits and lower fat content, frozen yogurt comes in many flavors and can be customized with a wide variety of toppings.
July: National Ice Cream Month
National Ice Cream Month was established in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan to recognize the popularity of ice cream in America. National Ice Cream Day, observed on the third Sunday in July, is part of this month-long celebration, during which people enjoy their favorite flavors and try new ones.
September: National Shake Month
National Shake Month celebrates the creamy milkshake, made by blending ice cream with milk and flavorings into a thick, frothy drink. Established in 2009, the month highlights the milkshake’s history—first mentioned in 1885 as an alcoholic eggnog-style beverage—and invites people to enjoy classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla or try new combinations and toppings.
Looking for more national food days to celebrate? We have a variety of special lists to choose from, ranging from the most comprehensive national food days calendar to specific celebrations like pizza days, pasta & noodles days, chocolate days, wine days, coffee days, and alcoholic drinks days. Each list highlights unique and delicious ways to honor your favorite foods and beverages throughout the year.
