The many ways to celebrate National Ice Cream Day in MoCo
Chilled treats, sweet deals and a 24-hour marathon among the highlights
By
Danny Chung-A-FungJuly 17, 2026 2:17 p.m.
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National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, as if we need an excuse to indulge — the average American eats roughly 18 pounds of ice cream each year, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.
The annual celebration on the third Sunday in July began in 1984 thanks to a congressional resolution and a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan, according to National Day Archives.
National chains are offering deals. At Dairy Queen, DQ Rewards members can get a free DILLY Bar with a $1 purchase on the app. Baskin Robbins reward members can get $5 off an order of $20 or more when ordering online, through the BR app, or in-shop from Sunday-Saturday. There will also be a buy-one-get-one free scoop for members on Sunday, July 26.
Here’s the scoop on more ways to celebrate National Ice Cream Day in Montgomery County:
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Saturday-Sunday: Family Four Pack Offer in Laytonsville
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Family Room, 6820 Olney Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville
The Family Room in Laytonsville is celebrating National Ice Cream Day with a Family Four Pack offer: For $15, you can get two single cups and two kids cups.
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Sunday: Carmen’s Italian Ice open 24 hours
12:01 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.
1115 Nelson St., Rockville
Carmen’s Italian Ice in Rockville will be open all day Sunday. This is the second time they’ve hosted this event, which will be held exclusively at their Rockville location. There will be specials throughout the day, such as an Ice Cream for Breakfast menu from 8 a.m. to noon, and $4 small custards all day. Plus, from midnight to 8 a.m., you can stuff a Stanley (or similar brand) mug with Italian Ice for $10.
Sunday: Family Ice Cream Social in Rockville
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2-5 p.m.
Central Park, Twinbrook Quarter, 850 Festival St., Rockville
Free admission
Twinbrook Quarter is hosting a family-friendly ice cream social with free ice cream from Mister Softee. There will also be a petting zoo and music from Rocknoceros. All treats are available first come, first served.
Tuesday: Free Gelato at Dolcezza
5 – 7 p.m.
7111 Bethesda Lane, Bethesda
Dolcezza, a gelateria with multiple locations in the D.C. area, is celebrating the 22th anniversary of their first store with free gelato. From 5 – 7 p.m., enjoy a free scoop of the chocotorta gelato. Inspired by the Argentinian cake, it is made with chocolate cookies soaked in coffee and layered with whipped dulce de leche and cream cheese.
Thursdays: noon – 5 p.m.
Fridays-Sundays: noon- 6 p.m.
28600 Ridge Road, Mt. Airy
The last remaining dairy farm in Montgomery County, Brown Cow Creamery in Mt. Airy, makes and sells ice cream with milk from their cows. Flavors include the standard chocolate and strawberry, as well as the less expected such as pumpkin and coffee. Brown Cow is open Thursdays from noon – 5 p.m. and Fridays-Sundays from noon – 6 p.m., with pickups-ups also available by appointment at their Dickerson farmstand – visit their website for more information.
Three Montgomery County ice cream shops are featured in PETA’s Nice Cream Trail, which spotlights shops with vegan options across Maryland. Those shops include La Gelatteria in Kensington, Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream in Rockville and Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream & Treats, which has four locations in Montgomery County. The first person to visit all 10 shops in Maryland wins a vegan ice cream party for 50 guests.
- Ashlyn Campbell contributed to this story.
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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine