A beloved summer tradition is making its return to San Diego! The “Scoop” ice cream festival will be back in North Park neighborhood this June to help and celebrate the local community.
Scheduled for June 28, the event will transform 30th Street and North Park Way into a dessert lover’s paradise, featuring the city’s best ice cream parlors, popsicle shops, and gelato spots. Attendees can expect a flavorful journey through cones, cups, and creative frozen treats. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday.
While Scoop has selected a different beneficiary each year, the event has now formed a permanent long-term partnership with Feeding San Diego starting in 2026. The nonprofit, which provides free food assistance to individuals and families facing food insecurity across the county, will be present at this year’s festival.
“This event has become a can’t-miss food festival, and we’re honored to partner with it because it brings joy to so many people,” said Carissa Casares, director of communications and content for Feeding San Diego.
Since its launch in 2019, Scoop has raised more than $230,000 for local organizations serving underserved communities throughout San Diego.
Scoop Ice Cream Festival Founder
The festival was born out of one man’s passion for ice cream and purpose. Daniel Szpak, a Southern California resident, co-founded Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream in North Park in 2014. As time went on, he decided to turn his love for the frozen treat into something bigger, creating the first festival of its kind to celebrate people’s shared appreciation for dessert while uplifting the community.
Today, Szpak is living out his dream of bringing together hundreds of ice cream shops for a day of celebration and charitable impact.
