Ben & Jerry's Celebrates 'Free Cone Day' on April 14

The ice cream company plans to give out over 1 million scoops across the globe during the annual springtime event.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:20am

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Ben & Jerry's is bringing back its popular 'Free Cone Day' promotion on Tuesday, April 14. Participating scoop shops will offer unlimited free ice cream scoops to customers throughout the day as a thank you for their support. The tradition started in 1979 at the company's original Burlington, Vermont location and has since grown into a global celebration, with Ben & Jerry's expecting to hand out over 1 million scoops worldwide this year.

Why it matters

Free Cone Day is one of Ben & Jerry's most iconic annual events, allowing the company to show appreciation for its loyal customer base and celebrate the arrival of spring. The promotion has become a beloved tradition, drawing crowds to Ben & Jerry's locations around the world and reinforcing the brand's community-focused values.

The details

On Free Cone Day, customers can receive one free scoop of ice cream each time they go through the line, with the ability to return for additional scoops. The company asks that customers be mindful of others in line and avoid cutting, as there have been past incidents of line-cutting at some locations. Ben & Jerry's has over 6 shops across Connecticut that will be participating in this year's Free Cone Day.

  • Ben & Jerry's first 'Free Cone Day' was held in 1979 at the company's original Burlington, Vermont location.
  • Free Cone Day 2026 will take place on Tuesday, April 14.

The players

Ben Cohen

Co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Jerry Greenfield

Co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

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What they’re saying

“Free Cone Day remains one of the company's most recognizable events. It's a timeless and simple way to celebrate spring and reward customers with a taste of their favorite flavors.”

— Tim Paul, Digital Content Producer, FOX61 News

What’s next

Ben & Jerry's locations across Connecticut and around the world will be open on Tuesday, April 14 from 12pm to 8pm to hand out free scoops of ice cream to customers.

The takeaway

Free Cone Day is a beloved annual tradition that allows Ben & Jerry's to give back to its loyal customer base and celebrate the arrival of spring. The promotion has grown from a small local event to a global celebration, demonstrating the power of community engagement and the enduring appeal of free ice cream.