Free Cone Day: From Humble Beginnings to a Global Celebration

March 1, 2017

Every time you enjoy a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s, you’re showing us how much you care. We love you too, and Free Cone Day is our favourite way to show it! This year’s extravaganza will be taking place on TUESDAY, APRIL 4, so be sure to mark your calendars, grab your friends and get ready to visit the nearest Scoop Shop.

Until then, why not brush up on the history of this unofficially official global holiday?

1979

The first ever Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day in the history of history! It was our way of thanking everyone for all the love and support they showed us that first year of business in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont.

 

1984

Saratoga Springs, New York enters the annals of history when it becomes the first town outside of Vermont to host a Free Cone Day.

 

1988

We start getting organized when all Vermont Scoop Shops celebrate on June 4th while every out-of-state shop celebrates on the 5th.

 

1993

Unification across the nation! Every Scoop Shop in the United States hands out free cones on the same day (May 21 for those keeping track at home).

 

1993

Canada becomes the first country outside of the United States to celebrate Free Cone Day. Is this the greatest gift anyone has ever given to the Great White North? Maybe.

 

1998

Someone in London gets so excited by their free cone that they leave their keys behind. Are they yours? We still have them if you want them back.

 

2000

We bring the world together in peace, love and ice cream with our first truly global Free Cone Day. Scoop Shops all over the world celebrate together on April 18.

 

2010

Global Free Cone Day gets a little more local thanks to our iPhone app. Fans around the world can see pictures and tweets from other countries in real time.

 

2012

Scandal breaks out in Perth, Australia as two people are caught trying to cut the line. The situation is diffused when they apologize and high-five everyone on their walk to the back.

 

2015

We give away over 1,000,000 scoops of Ben & Jerry’s around the world. That’s a lot of scooping!

 

2016

This is sure to be our best Free Cone Day yet. There’ll be ice cream and smiles, and hopefully you’ll be there, too!