RECAP · SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2026

National Ice Cream Day 2026

A look back at our biggest celebration yet - a free afternoon of live local music, giveaways, family games and soft-serve in London, Ontario, with a first-ever face-painting station for the kids.

NEW IN 2026

Free Activities:

Face Painting
Balloon Twisting
On-site games

WHERE

1080 Adelaide St. N
London, ON

ADMISSION

Free

DATE

Sun, July 19, 2026

Explore other years

HOW THE DAY WENT

Our biggest year yet

National Ice Cream Day 2026 was our largest celebration to date - a packed parking lot, live music from afternoon into evening, and lineups out the window for soft-serve and sundaes. New this year, a family face-painting station was an instant hit with the kids, and the day stayed true to what it's always been: free, family-friendly, and all about bringing London together over ice cream.

Turning Corners performing after dark at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario

THE 2026 LINEUP

Who played

Turning Corners

HEADLINER

High-powered alt-rock with crowd-igniting hooks, sharp suits, and undeniable stage presence - Southwestern Ontario's best-dressed band closed out National Ice Cream Day as headliners for a third straight year.

Website · Instagram · Spotify

🍨 Signature Treat: The Tesla Baron Sundae

Six men in suits and sunglasses standing together outside a building with a neon flamingo sign behind them, holding a birthday cake with colorful sprinkles and candles.

Turning Corners in their signature suits performing at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae London Ontario

Full Throttle

NEW FOR 2026

High-energy pop-punk trio from right here in London, Ontario - back-to-back winners of the Forest City London Music Award for Best Punk (2023 & 2024). Full Throttle brought the mosh-pit energy to the Merla-Mae stage.

Website · Instagram · Spotify

🍨 Signature Treat: Your Mom’s Favourite Sundae

Full Throttle posing with a Merla-Mae ice cream cone in London, Ontario

Full Throttle performing on the outdoor stage at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026

Full Throttle playing live to the crowd at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario

Sweet Theory

NEW FOR 2026

Sweet Theory brought a fresh, feel-good energy to the Merla-Mae stage - a full band fronted by a standout vocalist, with a sound made for a sunny summer afternoon.

Facebook · Instagram

🍨 Signature Treat: Party Boat

Sweet Theory enjoying ice cream at Merla-Mae in London, Ontario

Sweet Theory performing on stage at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario

Sweet Theory's lead vocalist singing at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario

Deem J

NEW FOR 2026

DJ Deem J was the pulse between the live sets - spinning tracks to keep the crowd moving and MCing the day as he introduced each act to the stage. He kept the party rolling from open to close.

Facebook · Instagram

🍨 Signature Treat: Strawberry Love

DJ Deem J spinning between sets at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario

DJ Deem J behind the decks at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario

GALLERY & HIGHLIGHTS

The day in pictures

Recap video coming soon!

See all 2026 photos

SIGNATURE TREATS

A sundae for the stage

Our performers and sponsors get a custom Merla-Mae treat named in their honour - a fun, only-here keepsake and hidden menu item!

The Full Throttle sundae, a signature Merla-Mae treat created for National Ice Cream Day 2026

The Deem J plant-based strawberry shake, a signature Merla-Mae treat for National Ice Cream Day 2026

Close-up of the Full Throttle signature sundae at Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario

The Sweet Theory Party Boat, a signature Merla-Mae treat for National Ice Cream Day 2026

The Sweet Suite, the LeadQor sponsored treat at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day

The Sealed Deal, the Brown Beattie O'Donovan sponsored treat at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS

Made possible by

PRESENTING SPONSOR - THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

As our presenting sponsor, Platinum Air Care helps us raise the bar every year - better staging and sound, more family activities, and a smoother, more comfortable day for everyone who comes out.
Website · Facebook · Instagram 🍨 Signature Treat: Clean Air Crunch

COMMUNITY SPONSOR

A new community sponsor in 2026, TELUS didn't just bring fast fibre internet to London - their team was on-site all afternoon with games, adding even more for families to enjoy. Website · Facebook · Instagram 🍨 Signature Treat: PureFibre Burst

COMMUNITY SPONSOR

A London law firm since 1950 - nearly as long as we've been scooping - Brown Beattie O'Donovan is a proud community partner whose support helps us make the day bigger and better for London families, year after year. Website · Facebook · Instagram 🍨 Signature Treat: The Sealed Deal

COMMUNITY SPONSOR

Started right here in London, LeadQor builds software that helps local businesses grow - including Merla-Mae Ice Cream. Sponsoring National Ice Cream Day was a natural fit for the whole community. Website · Facebook · Instagram 🍨 Signature Treat: Sweet Suite

Want to be part of 2027?

Perform with us

Become a sponsor

Explore by year:

2025

2024

All performers