Plan an ice-cream social with scoops, sprinkles & swirls

When the mercury climbs and the sun beats down, there’s no sweeter escape than the cool, creamy comfort of an ice- cream social. It’s a throwback to simpler times — joyful, hands-on, and perfect for all ages. Kids revel in the chance to build their dream sundaes, while adults indulge their inner child, debating over toppings like rainbow sprinkles or caramel drizzle. The setup is easy, the vibes are high, and the mess is half the fun. Forget sweltering in the heat and plan this fun summer activity for your buddies. From colourful décor and retro music, to the best frozen treats to cool off. Lahoma Bhattacharya played the perfect host, throwing the ultimate ice-cream social for friends Raipurna Halder, Sanjukta Dutta and Imon Sengupta. CT joined in the fun too, capturing every sweet, sticky moment.

A sweet sprinkle of toppings
An ice-cream social is meant to bring out your inner child so don’t hold back on the toppings. Chef Vidisha Batwal suggests getting playful with your ice-cream presentation — think mini tubs like the ones you’d find at a kid’s birthday party, perfect for serving up cheerful little waffle sundaes; or go a little extra with bubble waffles rolled into cones and generously filled with your favourite scoops. For something a bit more unexpected, she advises trying crispy crepe rolls that act as both wrap and dessert — a deliciously edible upgrade that adds a gourmet touch.
Craft the perfect aesthetic
Table runners in pastel stripes or polka dots
Small signage like ‘Build Your Own Sundae’, ‘Toppings Bar’, or ‘Scoop Me Up!’
Backdrops with ice-cream illustrations, balloon arches, or ice-cream parlour themes
Themed props like waffle cone cutouts and carts
Serving displays with labelled jars, cake stands, and tiered trays for toppings
Consider adding a DIY sundae or float station, live ice-cream churning demo or hiring a gelato cart
Polaroid photo corner with themed props for guests to take the perfect Insta-worthy shot

For the ice-cream social theme, pick pastels or candy brights like coral & turquoise

Dry ice keeps ice-cream from melting & ensures your party is mess-free and stylish till the very end
Quotes:An ice-cream social is exactly what my friends and I needed. Scoops of ice-cream with my loved ones is the essence of summer– Lahoma BhattacharyaIce-creams are so versatile. Serve it is as mini portions with topping to prevent it from melting too soon. Transporting it with dry ice is key to a successful party– Preetanjali Pasari, artisanal pastry chef

Ice-cream socials are versatile and can be hosted in both indoor and outdoor spaces). These parties are fun, nostalgic, and have a sweet aesthetic– Ishika Agarwal, founder & creative head of an event organising company

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