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.
- 1080 Adelaide St. N, London · Directions
- Free admission
- Live local music
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.
New in 2026 — free activities:
- Face painting
- Balloon twisting
- On-site games
The 2026 recap video
A minute of music and face paint
Bubbles and balloon animals in the afternoon, cones and sundaes at the counter, and Turning Corners closing out the night as the neon came on.
The 2026 headliner
Turning Corners, three years running
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.
Their connection with the Merla-Mae crowd made them an instant tradition — and their music continues to define the sound of summer for our community.
Signature treat: The Tesla Baron Sundae
The 2026 lineup
New to the stage in 2026
Joining Turning Corners: a hometown pop-punk trio, a feel-good full band, and the DJ who kept the whole day moving.
Full Throttle
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.
Signature treatYour Mom’s Favourite Sundae
DJ Deem J
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.
Signature treatStrawberry Love
Gallery & highlights
The day in pictures
Cones on the lot, a packed patio, face painting, balloon animals and dancing after dark.
Signature treats
A sundae for the stage
Every performer gets a custom Merla-Mae treat named in their honour — a fun, only-here keepsake and hidden menu item!
The Tesla Baron Sundae
Named after their breakout song, this wild sundae features half & half twist ice cream loaded with crushed Reese’s Pieces, Oreos, M&Ms, cookie dough, and rainbow chocolate chips, all drenched in peanut butter and chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream and exactly five gummy bears for the final kick.
Your Mom’s Favourite Sundae
Our chocolate & vanilla half & half soft serve ice cream served in our homemade waffle bowl, topped with our rock salt caramel, crushed Skor bits, cashews, three best buds of whipped cream, three maraschino cherries, and garnished with a piece of salted caramel.
Party Boat
Bubblegum, Cotton Candy and Superhero, with vanilla soft serve on the bottom and top. Drizzled with pink & blue dip, then topped with assorted candy sprinkles (confetti, rainbow, cotton candy, Nerds, gummy worms), four dollops of whipped cream, maraschino cherries and four waffle paddles, and dusted with glitter! Serves 4.
Strawberry Love
Deem J’s pick. Plant-based strawberry blended smooth, dropped with chocolate crunch for that extra beat. Sweet, creamy and the perfect mix.
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors
Made possible by
This free event is made possible by local businesses and community partners. Each one gets a signature treat of their own.
Brown Beattie O’Donovan
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.
See you next July
Want to be part of 2027?
National Ice Cream Day comes back to Merla-Mae on the third Sunday in July. See what’s coming next, apply to perform, or join our sponsors.
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