2025 Back to School Events

2025 Back to School Events

We’ve rounded up a list of FREE supply events happening across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Please note that some events may require advance registration, may be limited to specific school districts, and supplies are available while quantities last.

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
August 1-3, 2025
Virginia’s three-day sales tax holiday allows you to buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star ™ and WaterSense ™ products without paying sales tax. For details, visit https://www.tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holiday.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. For details, visit National Night Out.

Events by Region

📍 East Central

17th Annual Citywide Back to School Rally
Saturday, August 2, 10 AM – 3 PM, John Marshall High School, 4425 Old Brook Rd, Richmond
Come kick off the school year with Richmond Public School’s 17th annual citywide back-to-school rally! All ages can come enjoy food, fun, and prizes all for FREE!

Backpack Giveaway 2025
Sunday, August 3, 3 – 6 PM, New Life Outreach Church, 1005 Turner Road, Richmond,
This event is open for all grades to receive free backpacks filled with school supplies. FREE HAIRCUTS will take place after the service at about 4:30PM. *While Supplies Last & First Come First Serve*

National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 5 – 7 PM, Tabernacle Baptist Church, 11521 Coalboro Road, Chesterfield
Enjoy a night of free food, games, kids’ activities, raffles, local vendors, and so much more.

Back to School Fair
Saturday, August 9, 10 AM – 12:30 PM, Charles City High School, 10035 Courthouse Rd., Charles City
Come out to the Charles City Public Schools Back to School Fair. Meet some of our amazing staff members, get free school supplies, and receive community/school information.

Back to School Community Day
Saturday, August 9, 10 AM – 12 PM, Atlee Church, 7171 Verdi Ln, Mechanicsville
The free event is aimed at supporting students and families in need. Free clothing, winter coats, and shoes, community resources, and more.

Back to School Bash
Saturday, August 9, 11 AM – 2 PM, Powhatan Community Center, 5001 Northampton Street, Henrico
Get ready for a day of FREE fun and food at our Back to School event! Enjoy live music, exciting raffles and surprises, bounce houses for the kids, and plenty of free school supplies to kick off the school year right.

Back to School Bash
Saturday, August 9, 12 – 4 PM, Dogwood Dell Amphitheater, 600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond
Join us for a fun-filled day dedicated to our youth as they prepare for the upcoming school year! Event highlights: bouncy house, kids’ activities, Kona Ice, free backpacks, local food trucks, music, games, and more! The event is open to all ages.

Fill-A-Backpack
Saturday, August 16, 12 – 4 PM, Progress Index Building,15 Franklin Street, Petersburg
Get ready for an unforgettable day as we bring the community together to kick off the new school year in style! We’re hosting a FREE Back to School event for all children in grades K-12. Bring your family, bring your friends, and help us set our students up for success. PLEASE REGISTER EACH CHILD SEPARATELY.
If you require additional information or have any questions, please feel free to contact Francine by phone at 571-606-8037 or send an email to gnus@gmail.com.

📍 Northern

Coming Soon!

📍 Northwest 

Annual Back 2 School Bash
Saturday, August 2, 10 AM – 12 PM, Ting Pavilion, 700 E Main St, Charlottesville
Get ready to kick off the school year with fun, resources, and community connections at the Annual Back to School Fair! All families are invited to this free and exciting event designed to help students start the year off successfully.

Better Together Back to School Block Party/Bash
Sunday, August 10, 11 AM – 3 PM, Cherry Avenue Boys & Girls Club to Forest Hills Park, Charlottesville
This free, family-centered event is powered by incredible community partners and offers everything students and families need to start the school year strong, including free school supplies, haircuts, sneakers, sports physicals, health resources, books, food, games, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

📍 Southeast

Coming Soon!

📍 Southwest and West Central

Annual Shoe Fair 
Friday, August 1, 10 AM – 6 PM, Powell River Baptist Association, Lee County
Students will receive shoes as long as sizes are available. The fair is open to all Lee County Students PK-12th Grade.

Back to School Bash – 211 Virginia attending! 
Friday, August 1, 3 – 7 PM, 310 Wolfpack Way, Clintwood
For Dickenson County Public Schools students and families.

Back to School Bash 
Saturday, August 2, 11 AM – 1 PM, Gate City Frontier, Inc., 267 West Jackson Street, Gate City

Back to School Bash
Saturday, August 2, Starts at 4 PM, Bland County Fairgrounds, Fairgrounds Street, Bland
A free event for Bland County elementary students and their families.

National Night Out – 211 Virginia attending! 
Monday, August 4, 5 – 9 PM, 300 Towne Centre Drive, Abingdon
Free community event, including food, games, and giveaways.

Back to School Backpack Giveaway
Tuesday, August 5, 8 AM – 2 PM, 1825 Front Street, Richlands (Parking lot across Richlands Police Station)
For students in Tazewell, Buchanan, and Russell Counties.

National Night Out – Back to School Bash
Tuesday, August 5, 4 – 7 PM, Carroll County High School Football Field, 100 Cav Lane, Hillsville
Free community event, including food trucks, spray zone, inflatables, music/DJ, games and prizes, and more.

Back to School Block Party & Silent Auction
Tuesday, August 5, 4 – 6:30 PM, Honaker Elementary/Middle School Playground
This event includes free haircuts, nail painting, snow cones, popcorn, music, and more.

National Night Out 
Tuesday, August 5, 6 -8 PM, Lebanon Town Park, 45 Gibson Street, Lebanon
The event will include exhibits, games, a bounce house, demonstrations, and back-to-school supplies.

National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 6 – 8 PM, Franklin County High School
The event will include police displays, free food, vendors, demonstrations, games, and exhibits.

National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 6 – 9 PM, Chilhowie Town Park

Back-to-School Extravaganza! – 211 Virginia attending! 
Saturday, August 16, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, William Fleming High School, Roanoke, VA
Roanoke City Public Schools students and families are invited to receive free school supplies, meet school administrators, connect with community partners, register for school, apply for preschool, receive required immunizations, and more!
https://www.rcps.info/academics/2024-2025-school-year-information/back-to-school-extravaganza

Kickoff to Connection! Resource Fair – 211 Virginia attending!
Friday, September 25, 4 – 6 PM, 300 Towne Centre Drive, Abingdon
Opened for families of students with disabilities across the Washington County School Division. Free food, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to build your playbook for success.