National Ice Cream Day - 3rd Sunday in July

When is National Ice Cream Day in 2025?

Mark your calendars and leave enough room for dessert because, on July 20th 2025, it’s National Ice Cream Day. It’s a delicious holiday that happens every year on the 3rd Sunday of July.  

There's no better way to enjoy the warmer weather than with a cup or cone of ice cream. It's the perfect excuse to visit your local gelato shop, have a dinner party or order your favourite ice creams in bulk to your door—while all your beloved brands are offering promotions, limited-edition flavours and the best deals.  

 

Why are there two National Ice Cream days?

Is one day really enough to celebrate this magnificent dessert? There is National Ice Cream Day and National Ice Cream Month, both of which take place in July.  

Thanks to the popularity of this sweet treat, another special day has been added to the line-up, called National Vanilla Ice Cream Day on July 23rd. With vanilla ice cream, we’re sure there will be no one complaining about an extra reason to celebrate.  

 

History of ice cream celebration

Today, ice cream is so popular and widely available: we can enjoy it in front of the TV, at a summer lunch or whenever we crave a creamy treat. However, we weren’t always this lucky.  

Before 1718, the recipe for ice cream was kept top secret and only enjoyed by royals and aristocrats. The first recipe was actually published in England in 1718 by Mrs Mary Eales. During the years when refrigeration hadn’t been invented yet, it was a delicacy that was very rare to find and would take chefs countless hours to whip up.  

Ice cream origin is full of surprising facts and interesting characters. The first party to officially feature this frosty treat on the menu took place in 1671 and was hosted by England’s King Charles II. It was such a luxury experience that only the king and a few of his closest advisors were allowed a taste. Now everyone can enjoy this treat just like a royal.  

London was the centre of the ice cream boom in the UK, as ice cream parlours started opening up in Soho in the 1700s and 1800s. Then, who could forget the ice cream vans driving through our neighbourhoods in the 1960s and 70s? Their jingles were the soundtrack to many childhoods.  

National Ice Cream Day was first created in the United States in 1984. President Ronald Reagan wanted an official day to celebrate one of America’s favourite desserts and commemorate the fact that this treat is eaten by lots of Americans. 

 

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with Venchi

Taste excellence in every scoop with Venchi's artisanal gelato flavours, which are an unforgettable way to celebrate National Ice Cream Day. Our talented gelato makers whip up our ice cream fresh every day, using traditional Italian techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.  

Our gelato is made from only the finest natural ingredients and free from artificial colourings, flavourings, thickening agents, preservatives and palm oil—so you can indulge in this sweet without any regrets. Discover our best-selling flavours that will satisfy every taste bud and craving.  

For those who love nutty flavours, we recommend our authentic Pistachio flavour that tastes like Sicily and is crafted from premium Bronte pistachios. Meanwhile, our Hazelnut gelato is made from Piedmont Hazelnuts and features the perfect balance of crunchy and creamy. Chocolate lovers will appreciate the intensity and richness of our Chocoviar gelato, which pairs perfectly with fresh strawberries.