Photo recap · Sunday, July 19, 2026

National Ice Cream Day 2026 Photo Collection

Every photo from our free parking-lot concert at Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario: four acts on stage, a packed lot, face painting and balloon twisting, and lineups out the window for soft-serve and sundaes.

On stage

Four Acts on the Parking-Lot Stage

Turning Corners headlined, with Full Throttle, Sweet Theory and DJ Deem J joining the lineup for the first time. Tap any photo to see it full size.

Read the full 2026 recap
  • Turning Corners guitarist singing at golden hour at Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario

    Headliner

    Turning Corners

    Alt-rock in sharp suits, closing out the night as headliners for a third straight year.

  • Full Throttle frontman singing with his checkered guitar at Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario

    New for 2026

    Full Throttle

    A high-energy pop-punk trio from right here in London, Ontario.

  • Sweet Theory lead singer performing at Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario

    New for 2026

    Sweet Theory

    A full band with a standout vocalist and a feel-good summer sound.

  • DJ Deem J pointing from behind his decks at Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario

    DJ & MC

    DJ Deem J

    Spinning between the live sets and introducing each act to the stage.

Full Throttle's guitarist performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario The three members of Full Throttle on the parking-lot stage at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae Full Throttle performing to the crowd at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Full Throttle's set on the outdoor stage at Merla-Mae Ice Cream, National Ice Cream Day 2026 Full Throttle's bassist performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Full Throttle's drummer performing at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Full Throttle's vocalist on stage at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Full Throttle performing to a packed crowd at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Full Throttle's frontman on guitar and vocals at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Full Throttle playing the outdoor stage during National Ice Cream Day 2026 at Merla-Mae, London Ontario Full Throttle's guitarist with his checkered electric guitar at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae Turning Corners playing to the sunset crowd at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners' full band on stage at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Turning Corners' frontman singing and playing guitar at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners performing in the Merla-Mae parking lot at National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners' night-time set at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 The five-piece Turning Corners performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners' singer performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners' drummer in the band's signature suit at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae Turning Corners' keyboard player performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners on the outdoor stage at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Turning Corners' frontman on stage at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Turning Corners' guitarist performing at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Turning Corners' bassist performing at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Turning Corners' keyboardist performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners' bassist under the lights at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae Turning Corners' guitarist in suit and sunglasses at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae Turning Corners performing at sunset during National Ice Cream Day 2026 at Merla-Mae Turning Corners performing at night outside the Merla-Mae ice cream stand, National Ice Cream Day 2026 A couple dancing to Turning Corners at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Turning Corners on the Adelaide Street stage at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners performing at sunset to the National Ice Cream Day 2026 crowd at Merla-Mae Turning Corners performing after dark at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Turning Corners' bass player on stage at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners performing outside Merla-Mae Ice Cream during National Ice Cream Day 2026 Turning Corners closing out National Ice Cream Day 2026 at Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Sweet Theory performing in the afternoon sun at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae The four members of Sweet Theory on stage at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae London Ontario Sweet Theory's vocalist singing to the crowd at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Sweet Theory's lead singer performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Sweet Theory's bassist on stage at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Sweet Theory's drummer performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 DJ Deem J performing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario DJ Deem J at the decks during National Ice Cream Day 2026 at Merla-Mae in London, Ontario

The crowd

London Filled the Lot

From the first set until the neon came on, our Adelaide Street parking lot was packed: rows of white chairs in front of the stage, a full patio under the umbrellas, and a lineup running along the storefront.

  • Free admission
  • All ages
  • Afternoon into evening
Packed patio in front of the Merla-Mae Ice Cream storefront during National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario
Guests and families lined up outside Merla-Mae during National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A dog in costume joining the fun at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Families with face paint at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Two young guests enjoying ice cream at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A couple dancing under the decorations at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 The crowd gathered outside Merla-Mae Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario The shaded seating area packed with guests at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Guests seated in front of the stage at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Guests enjoying the afternoon at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A mother and daughter dancing at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A guest dancing to the live music at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Families at the picnic tables during Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Children playing and blowing bubbles at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 A young guest with her ice cream at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A young guest enjoying Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A crowd outside the Merla-Mae ice cream stand during National Ice Cream Day 2026

Around the lot

Face Paint, Balloons & Games

Face painting, new for 2026, was an instant hit with kids and grown-ups alike, while a balloon twister worked the crowd and the TELUS team ran games all afternoon. FM96 London’s Taz & Jim tent was set up out front, right under the Merla-Mae sign.

Free activities in 2026: face painting, balloon twisting and on-site games.

Free face-painting station under a tent in the Merla-Mae parking lot at National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario
National Ice Cream Day signage and balloons outside Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario A child at the face-painting booth during National Ice Cream Day 2026 at Merla-Mae in London, Ontario Families at the TELUS games tent during National Ice Cream Day 2026 at Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario The FM96 London radio booth at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Face painting for guests of all ages at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A young guest with a balloon animal at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A guest with butterfly face paint at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Event poster for Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 concert featuring DJ Deem J Face painting in the family activities area at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae London Ontario Face painting for kids at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Balloon twister making a green balloon animal at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario Balloon twisting for kids at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A girl having her face painted in rainbow colours at National Ice Cream Day 2026, Merla-Mae London Ontario An FM96 London host at the radio booth during National Ice Cream Day 2026 at Merla-Mae

The ice cream

Soft-Serve, Sundaes & Signature Treats

Lineups ran out the window for soft-serve and sundaes. Every act also got its own custom Merla-Mae treat, a hidden menu item named in their honour:

  • The Tesla Baron SundaeTurning Corners
  • Your Mom’s Favourite SundaeFull Throttle
  • Party BoatSweet Theory
  • Strawberry LoveDJ Deem J
A Merla-Mae banana split with whipped cream, cherries and chocolate syrup served at National Ice Cream Day 2026 Customers waiting in line for ice cream at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 Guests lining up at the Merla-Mae window during National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario A Merla-Mae soft-serve cone rolled in crushed chocolate cookies at National Ice Cream Day 2026 A Merla-Mae sundae with whipped cream and caramel served at National Ice Cream Day 2026 Guests lined up for soft-serve at Merla-Mae's National Ice Cream Day 2026 in London, Ontario

Keep exploring

More From National Ice Cream Day

Crowd seated in the parking lot for the free National Ice Cream Day 2026 concert at Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario 2026

The 2026 Recap

The full lineup, the signature treats and the sponsors who made the day.

Read the 2026 recap
Turning Corners sharing their Tesla Baron sundae inside Merla-Mae Ice Cream in London, Ontario Local talent

Our Past Performers

The local acts who have played our stage, with links to their music.

Meet the performers
Live band on stage at dusk in front of the lit Merla-Mae Ice Cream storefront in London, Ontario Every July

National Ice Cream Day

Our free summer tradition in London, Ontario, every third Sunday of July.

About the celebration

See you next July

Want to be part of 2027?

Local bands and community sponsors make the day happen, and it’s always free to attend. Apply to play our stage, or help make next summer’s celebration even bigger.

Perform with us
Become a sponsor
2024
2025