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National Soft Ice Cream Day

Celebrate National Soft Ice Cream Day with a delicious treat! Find the best local scoop shops and enjoy creamy, cold, sweet ice cream today!

Wednesday

August 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAugust 19

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYIce Cream

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

August 19 marks the perfect day to celebrate National Soft Ice Cream Day! This sweet treat has been around since the late 1800s and is enjoyed by people all over the world. Soft serve ice cream is made using a machine that mixes air into it, making it softer than regular ice cream. It's also typically served at a slightly warmer temperature than regular ice cream, which makes it even more delicious! So get ready to indulge in some of your favorite flavors on this special day.

DEALS & OFFERS

Past offers

No active deals yet — here’s who’s celebrated before.

Nothing yet for 2026

Brands typically announce offers a week before the date. Check back closer to the day.

1 brand has run a deal

Carvel

See past offers

TIMELINE

National Soft Ice Cream Day Timeline

Soft Ice Cream Machine Invented

Tom Carvel invents the first soft serve ice cream machine after his regular ice cream truck gets a flat tire, thus starting the Carvel brand.

Dairy Queen's Debut

Dairy Queen, the popular chain known for its soft serve ice cream, opens its first store in Joliet, Illinois.

The Mister Softee Brand Develops

Brothers William and James Conway start Mister Softee, an ice cream truck business, which later becomes a nationwide icon for soft serve ice cream.

McDonald's Launches McFlurry

McDonald's introduces the McFlurry, a soft serve creation that includes mix-ins, expanding the popularity of soft serve treats on a global scale.

Expanding Soft Ice Cream Flavors

Beyond the classic vanilla and chocolate, soft serve ice cream starts to be offered in a wide array of flavors, including popular choices like matcha and taro.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Soft Ice Cream Day

Make your own soft ice cream

Making soft ice cream is easier than you think. All you need is a few ingredients and a little bit of time. Recipe ideas include vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, or mix and match different flavors.

Go out for soft ice cream

If making your own isn't your thing, head to your favorite ice cream shop and get a scoop (or two) of your favorite flavor. You can also try some new flavors and combinations.

VISIT

Visit an ice cream museum

Take a trip to the nearest ice cream museum and learn about the history of soft ice cream. You'll find interesting facts about the various techniques used to make it.

TRY

Try different toppings

Turn regular soft ice cream into something special by trying different toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, chocolate chips, marshmallows, etc.

HOST

Host an ice cream party

Invite your friends over for an ice cream party! Set up different flavors and toppings and let everyone create their own unique creations.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Soft Ice Cream Day

It's a great summer snack

Nothing says summer quite like a cone of soft serve ice cream - after all, nothing beats having a cool and refreshing treat on a hot summer day! Grab one and head outside to enjoy its creamy goodness while you soak up some sun. Plus, it's a perfect way to cool off after playing sports or exploring the local area!

Soft ice cream is creamy and delicious

Soft serve ice cream has a smooth and creamy texture that's hard to resist! Whether you're in the mood for vanilla, chocolate, or a flavor of the month, soft serve always hits the spot! Plus, it's easy to customize with toppings like sprinkles, nuts, and more for an even sweeter treat!

Soft ice cream is convenient

When you're in a rush but still want something sweet, soft serve ice cream is perfect. You can get your cone or cup in minutes - no waiting in long lines or standing around for what feels like forever. Plus, soft serve machines are everywhere, so you're never too far away from your next creamy treat!