Scoop Palm Springs’ First-Ever Ice Cream Festival Was THE Sweetest Event of 2025 — And Yes, We Ate Everything

By Lola Mangia

Let’s be honest:If you say you don’t like ice cream, we don’t trust you.

So obviously SQUAD Magazine had to pull up to the first-ever Palm Springs Ice Cream Festival, created by Scoop and held downtown on November 2, 2025. And babes… it was giving summer nostalgia, queer joy, sticky fingers, and brain freeze—but make it couture.

Oh, and did we mention it raised $21,000 for The Center LGBTQ food bank? Yeah. Ice cream but make it philanthropy.

The Vibes? Immaculate. Like, Pinterest-core but IRL.

Walk in, and you’re instantly hit with:

Mod Girl DJing Y2K bops.People walking on stilts like it’s Coachella but colder. Over 20 iconic Palm Springs vendors handing out frozen happiness. Holandia Farms literally serving chocolate milk like it’s a luxury shot

And for our lactose girlies who fear dairy more than their ex’s texts?They handed out Dairy Pills at the door like they were VIP wristbands.No gas. No regrets. No crimes committed against bathrooms.

SQUAD’s Official Top 5 Festival Flavors

(We take this extremely seriously. Our taste-testers trained for years. Meaning they just eat a lot of ice cream.)

1. BEST OF SCOOP — Cookie Monster from LaPert’s

This was our first scoop of the day and honestly… peak.It was blue. It was cute. It tasted like childhood and questionable Saturday-morning cereal choices.Sweet? Yes. Crunchy? Of course. Delicious? Don’t be ridiculous.

2. OH-SO-NATURAL AWARD — Mango Sorbet from LaPert’s

This sorbet said “I am fruit. Hear me roar.”Our testers literally paused mid-bite and went, “Wait… is this just a mango?”Refreshing, bright, and honestly healthier than 90% of our life choices.

3. BEST OF SHOW — Raspberry Cheesecake Gelato from La Dolce Piccola

Listen. This was a whole cinematic experience.The gelato case looked like a display at a luxury Milan boutique.One bite of that tangy raspberry + creamy cheesecake + crunchy graham cracker combo?We were spiritually teleported to Sorrento, Italy.(But like the cute coastal part. Not the tourist buses.)

4. MOST INTERESTING — Cardamom Ice Cream with Caramelized Oranges from Carmela

This scoop said:“What if dessert… but also enlightenment?”The cardamom hit first—warm, spicy, mysterious.Then the caramelized oranges swooped in like citrus angels and lifted us into FLAVOR NIRVANA.We ascended. Literally ascended.

5. MOST MEMORABLE SCOOP — Gelato Granuccia’s Dubai Chocolate + Pumpkin Combo

First scoop: Dubai Chocolate — viral for a reason.Rich, crunchy, chocolate pistachios, luxury energy.Second scoop: Pumpkin Ice Cream — creamy, cozy, autumn-in-a-cup with nutmeg whispering sweet nothings.Together? A masterpiece. Michelangelo wishes.

Final Verdict? This Festival Needs to Come Back ASAP.

SQUAD had the best time eating our weight in frozen dairy (and dairy-adjacent products).We laughed. We danced. We drooled over gelato.And we made a pact that if Scoop brings this festival back in 2026, we’re camping outside like it’s a Taylor Swift presale.

Palm Springs, you did THAT.See you next year for round two… and yes, we will still be lactose intolerant.

About the Author

Lola Mangia is a passionate foodie with an insatiable love for coffee and fashion. With her keen eye for culinary trends and stylish flair, she explores the vibrant intersection of gourmet delights and chic aesthetics. When she’s not sipping artisanal brews or curating her next outfit, you can find her documenting her delicious adventures on social media, inspiring others to savor life in style. Checkout her blog Notoriouslysinglegirl.