You scream, I scream, did somebody say free ice cream? I had never heard of an Ice Cream Social before I moved to the Twin Cities. Here, they are a summer phenomenon. Neighborhoods, parks and towns across the metro host these community get-togethers all summer long. Many are combined with movie nights or family activities. Others encourage outdoor play and an opportunity to mingle with neighbors. They are always a fun way to get out with kids in the summer.
Besides our summer ice cream socials, we encourage you to mark your calendars for Free Cone Days at some of our favorite Twin Cities ice cream shops. Free Cone Days start in March, with ice cream social season beginning in May and running through August!
Twin Cities community ice cream socials - free ice cream in local parks
Dairy Queen Free Cone Day
FREE ICE CREAM TODAY! Get your free small vanilla Dairy Queen cone at all participating locations. Classic, refreshing, and a sweet start to the spring season. Please check your chosen location to confirm store hours as they vary. This deal is historically offered on the first day of spring.
PLUS you can also grab a free cone of Rita’s Italian Ice at Twin Cities Southeast Metro locations: Apple Valley & Eagan, Minnesota.
More information
Fine print from the Dairy Queen website: Free small vanilla cone at participating US non-mall locations and at participating mall locations with purchase. All day, limit one per person. While supplies last. Not valid on delivery or mobile orders.
Hello Summer! June ice cream socials in the Twin Cities
Bottineau Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 06/10/2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Bottineau Field Park, 2000 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55418Ice cream and family fun at Bottineau Field Park, followed by a dusk screening of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Event is free, all ages are welcome to join in.
MLK Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 06/11/2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 271 Mackubin Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102Enjoy Sebastian Joe’s ice cream while you play at the park, enjoy inflatables and face painting. FREE. Drop-In. 6-8pm.
Manor Park Popsicles (FREE)
Date: 06/13/2025 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: Manor Park, 3129 Abbott Ave North, Robbinsdale, MN, 55422Drop by Robbinsdale’s Manor Park for a FREE popsicle while supplies last. FREE. All Ages. Drop In.
MLK Ice Cream Social Night (FREE)
Date: 06/16/2025 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 271 Mackubin Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102Sister Cities Day
Date: 06/20/2025 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Nicollet Island Park & Pavilion, 40 Power Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55401Kenny Ice Cream Social & Green Fair (FREE)
Date: 06/26/2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Kenny Park, 1328 W 58th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55419Kenny Park hosts its annual free ice cream social tonight along with a Green Fair for the neighborhood to connect with environmental resources and organizations. Family fun you can expect at the social includes:
- Free Sebastian Joe’s ice cream in a variety of flavors
- Entertainment by Baron of Bubbles and Rainbow Lady of Balloons
- Performance by the Crosstown Community Band
- Kids environmental activities at the Green Fair
Hot enough for ya? July is National Ice Cream Month
The entire month of July is National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of July is National Ice Cream Day, by proclamation of President Ronald Reagan. Yes, this is an official food holiday. That makes it our patriotic duty to find some ice cream this month!
Lynnhurst Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 07/08/2025 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Lynnhurst Park, 1345 Minnehaha Pkwy West, Minneapolis, MN, 55419Hiawatha School Park Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 07/08/2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Hiawatha School Park, 4305 42nd Street East, Minneapolis, MN, 55406Free Luau-themed fun in the park: free ice cream, bounce houses, activities and games, music and a screening of Moana 2. FREE. 6-8pm.
Mounds View Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 07/12/2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Mounds View City Hall Park, 2401 County Hwy 10, Mounds View, MN , 55112Grab yourself some some free ice cream (while supplies hold out) in honor of National Park & Recreation Month. The Mounds View Rec on the Go vehicle will be onsite so kids can enjoy games and activities along with their treats. Plus, there’s a splash pad to cool off in if the heat’s turned up!
More information
Duluth & Case Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 07/14/2025 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Duluth and Case Recreation Center, 1020 Duluth Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55106- June 19
- July 14
- August 21
Hanover Ice Cream Social
Date: 07/16/2025 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Hanover Historical Society, 1010 River Road NE, Hanover, MN, 55341The Hanover Historical Society hosts its 7th Annual Ice Cream Social & Open House. Free will offering for items like sloppy Joes, hot dogs, ice cream, and dessert with all proceeds to benefit preservation of the Hanover History Center and exhibits.
More information
- Event link: Hanover Ice Cream Social
Dayton's Bluff Ice Cream Social Night (FREE)
Date: 07/16/2025 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center, 800 Conway Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55106- June 18, 2025
- July 16, 2025
- August 13, 2025
Pershing Community Ice Cream Social
Date: 07/16/2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Pershing Field Park, 3523 48th St W, Minneapolis, MN, 55410Pershing’s Annual Ice Cream Social includes face painting, yard games, and inflatables for kids! And FREE Ice Cream!
Stillwater Ice Cream Social
Date: 07/17/2025 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 Pine Street West, Stillwater, MN, 55082Stillwater’s annual ice cream social is one of the few that doesn’t offer free ice cream, but it supports the Historic Courthouse Restoration Fund. Family fun includes live music and a vendor fair. Bring a blanket to hang out and enjoy the evening. Burritos, root beer floats and ice cream are available for purchase.
Stillwater Ice Cream Social family fun
- Thought Bubble Chess Club | 5-7pm
- Live music | 5-8pm
- Food for purchase – Burritos, ice cream and root beer floats | 5-8pm
Custard with Cops
Date: 07/22/2025 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Culver's, 11218 Commerce Drive North, Champlin, MN, 55316Countdown to school with August ice cream socials in the Twin Cities
The entire month of July is National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of July is National Ice Cream Day, by proclamation of President Ronald Reagan. Yes, this is an official food holiday. That makes it our patriotic duty to find some ice cream this month!
Little Canada Canadian Days
Date: 08/02/2025 - 08/03/2025 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Location: Spooner Park, 350 Eli Road, Little Canada, MN, 55117The city of Little Canada’s summer festival includes a medallion hunt, community ice cream social (Thursday), fireworks (both Friday & Saturday), kids entertainment zone all weekend and the requisite carnival. Full festival runs July 28-August 3, 2025 – see our complete schedule of family activities.
Richfield Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 08/02/2025 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Richfield Historical Society, 6901 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN, 55432Richfield Historical Society is hosting its annual ice cream social this weekend – any and all are welcome to attend. Fun for kids at the ice cream social, according to their posting: games, llama visits, a bounce house, live music and classic dilly bar ice cream treats.
More information
- Event link: Richfield Historical Society Facebook page
Children First Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 08/10/2025 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: St Louis Park Rec Center & ROC, 3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN , 55416Champlin Cone with a Cop (FREE)
Date: 08/12/2025 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: Dairy Queen, 11200 Aquila Drive North, Champlin, MN, 55316Cone with a Cop (FREE)
Date: 08/13/2025 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Dairy Queen, 3959 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN, 55421The Columbia Heights Police Department invites the community to join them for a free cone and conversation.
28th Street Tot Lot Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 08/14/2025 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: 28th Street Tot Lot Park, 175 E 28th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55408Celebrate the new playground and landscaping at the 28th Street Tot Lot, play lawn games, admire the new mural created by Whittier kids, and join the Whittier Alliance’s Ice Cream Social.
CAT Family Festival
Date: 08/16/2025 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Cafesjian Art Trust, 4600 Churchill St, Shoreview, MN, 55126So much fun that the Cafesjian Art Trust decided to bring it back again for a second round, the Family Festival will include an ice cream treat, museum admission with four art-making stations, art activities within the galleries, and more. Tickets are $5 each and must be purchased in advance.
Farview Back to School Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 08/16/2025 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Farview Park, 621 29th Avenue N, Minneapolis, MN, 55411Enjoy the last days of summer with FREE Ice Cream at Farview Park. Participate in fun activities and meet with a naturalist during this fun, family event. All Ages. Drop In. FREE.
Highwood Hills Ice Cream Social (FREE)
Date: 08/21/2025 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Highwood Hills Recreation Center, 2192 Londin Lane, Saint Paul, MN, 55119- June 19
- July 14
- August 21
Creekview Back to School Ice Cream (FREE)
Date: 08/22/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Ave North, Minneapolis, MN, 55430Â DIY ice cream treats at home:
- Family Recipe: The BEST Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream – Serve this with a piece of strawberry pie!
Seward Neighborhood Day at Matthews Park is May 11th in 2024 and includes free ice cream and family fun. It would be great to see you there.
Thanks Destiny. I’m adding this to our list. Keep them coming.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
I know what you mean. Free Ice Cream! How can that NOT be great, but wait for our 2024 update so you can have accurate information. And, Yes, believe it or not, we do have related content:
FFTC’s Guide to the Best Ice Cream Shops in the Twin Cities
Family Recipe: Ice Cream Sandwiches + 5 Saint Paul Ice Cream Shops
FFTC’s Guide to the Best Frozen Yogurt in the Twin Cities
I hope this helps with your ice cream cravings.