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
Get your ice cream fix all summer long! Most of these ice cream social events are free; we have noted a few events that are charging for the ice cream and/or admission. In some cases, additional food and activities have a fee. Most of these socials serve free vanilla soft serve cups, but they are all different, so it is fun to check out a few each summer to find your favorite.
Bonus! These are a great excuse to explore a new park or to mingle with neighbors at your favorite local park. Follow our park links for more information about each park.
Hello Summer! June ice cream socials in the Twin Cities
Pratt Ice Cream Social & Picnic (FREE)
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Date: 06/05/2026 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Tower Hill Park, 55 Malcolm Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55414
The annual Pratt Ice Cream Social is held at Tower Hill Park and nearby Pratt Elementary School. Family-friendly activities include carnival games for kids, live entertainment, community booths and, of course, free ice cream.
Vadnais Heights Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 06/10/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Berwood Park, 780 W Berwood Ave, Vadnais Heights, MN, 55127
Enjoy free ice cream, live music and activities for all ages in the park. While you’re at it, meet and mingle with reps from community organizations.Â
Bottineau Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 06/11/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Bottineau Field Park, 2000 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55418
Join Minneapolis Parks at Bottineau Field Park for an Ice Cream Social and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. While you enjoy your treats, check out the updates to the playground, wading pool & splash pad, basketball court and play areas. Family fun includes:
- Face painting
- Family music & activities
- Fun with MPRB Naturalists and Pop-Up Parks
- Free ice cream treat or popsicle
MLK Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 06/17/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park & Rec Center, 4055 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55409
Enjoy Sebastian Joe’s ice cream while you play at the park, enjoy inflatables and face painting. Free for all ages.
Kenny Ice Cream Social & Green Fair (FREE)
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Date: 06/18/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Kenny Park, 1328 W 58th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55419
Kenny 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, kids environmental activities and a performance by the Crosstown Community Band.
Related:
- FFTC’s Guide to the Best Frozen Yogurt in the Twin Cities
- FFTC’s Guide to the Best Ice Cream Shops in the Twin Cities
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!
Lakeville Pan-o-Prog Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 07/08/2026 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: St. John’s Lutheran Church of Lakeville, 20165 Heath Avenue, Lakeville, MN, 55044
Lakeville’s annual summer Pan-O-Prog Festival includes a free ice cream social among its plentiful lineup of events. Expect live music and games to round out the social.
Windom South Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 07/09/2026 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Windom South Park, 5821 Wentworth Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55419
Join your community members neighbors for the annual ice cream social in Windom South Park. Face painting and inflatables will be available for kids plus free ice cream!
Lynnhurst Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 07/14/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Lynnhurst Park, 1345 Minnehaha Pkwy West, Minneapolis, MN, 55419
Pershing Community Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 07/15/2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Pershing Field Park, 3523 48th St W, Minneapolis, MN, 55410
Pershing’s annual ice cream social includes face painting, yard games, and inflatables for kids. And FREE ice cream!
Lovell Square Park Ice Cream Social
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Date: 07/16/2026 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Location: Lovell Square Park, 1000 James Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN, 55411
Cool off on a hot summer evening and join fellow neighbors for our ice cream social at Lovell Square. In addition to free ice cream, we’ll also have music and games. Come join the fun!
Stillwater Ice Cream Social
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Date: 07/16/2026 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 Pine Street West, Stillwater, MN, 55082
Stillwater’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. Food items, root beer floats and ice cream are available for purchase.
National Ice Cream Day
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Date: 07/19/2026 SEE TIMES
Location: ,
What a perfect excuse to explore our tasty list of the BEST ICE CREAM SHOPS IN THE TWIN CITIES, chock full of spots to get cones, dips, sundaes, malts, double-decker scoops, waffle cones and toppings galore. You need not limit yourself to one day of celebration this summer, of course.
Minneapolis Sister Cities Day Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 07/19/2026 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Nicollet Island Park & Pavilion, 40 Power Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55401
Savage Treats 'n Tunes
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Date: 07/21/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Savage Parks (see link), Neighborhoods, Savage, MN, 55372
Sweet summer treats and family-friendly music on the third Tuesday of each month this summer? Yes, and the ice cream is free! Plus, play yard games from 6-7pm before the concerts run from 7-8pm (with one extra kid-friendly exception). Take note of our schedule here; each concert is hosted by a different park in Savage. Full series runs May -September. Admission is always free.
Hanover Ice Cream Social
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Date: 07/22/2026 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Hanover Historical Society, 1010 River Road NE, Hanover, MN, 55341
The Hanover Historical Society hosts its annual Ice Cream Social and you’re invited. Free will offering for food items, ice cream, and dessert with all proceeds to benefit preservation of the Hanover History Center and exhibits.
40th Street Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 07/22/2026 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: 40th Street Park, 1900 E 40th Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55407
An evening of summer fun at 40th Street Park including ice cream, yard games, face painting and inflatables followed by a movie at dusk. All ages are welcome to drop in to this free event.
Countdown 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!
CAT Family Festival
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Date: 08/01/2026 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Cafesjian Art Trust, 4600 Churchill St, Shoreview, MN, 55126
So much fun that the Cafesjian Art Trust decided to bring it back again, the Family Festival will include an ice cream treat, chalk art and giant bubbles in the parking lot. Indoors museum admission includes four art-making stations, a disco dance party, scavenger hunt and art activities within the galleries, and more.
Tickets are $5 each and must be purchased in advance.
Richfield Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 08/01/2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Richfield Historical Society, 6901 Lyndale Ave S, Richfield, MN, 55432
Richfield 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)
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Date: 08/08/2026 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: St Louis Park Rec Center & ROC, 3700 Monterey Dr, St Louis Park, MN , 55416
Logan Ice Cream Social and Movie in the Park
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Date: 08/13/2026 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Logan Park, 690 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413
Bryant Square Ice Cream Social
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Date: 08/19/2026 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55408
East Phillips Back to School Community Event & Neighborhood Festival (FREE)
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Date: 08/20/2026 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: East Phillips Park & Rec Center, 2399 S 17th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55404
Corcoran Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 08/21/2026 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Corcoran Park, 3334 20th Avenue S, Minneapolis, 55407
Join Corcoran neighbors for ice cream, yard games, inflatables, face painting and family fun.
Creekview Back to School Ice Cream
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Date: 08/21/2026 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Ave North, Minneapolis, MN, 55430
Enjoy the last days of summer with free ice cream in Creekview Park to kick off the new school year! Allow some time to enjoy the park’s amenities.
Farview Back to School Ice Cream Social (FREE)
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Date: 08/26/2026 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Farview Park, 621 29th Avenue N, Minneapolis, MN, 55411
Enjoy the last days of summer with free ice cream in Farview Park. Participate in fun activities and meet with a naturalist during this fun, family event.
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.