The first day of school for the 2026-27 school year is right around the corner.
Along with first-day jitters, the new school year also brings a call for fresh supplies, backpacks, haircuts and more. While these items can be costly for families, several organizations in San Antonio are hosting free supply drives and back-to-school resource fairs.
Tax-free weekend is also coming up from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9, which allows consumers to buy clothing, shoes, school supplies and even diapers, without paying state taxes.
Here’s a roundup of events and places offering free school supplies before the first day of school, which for several schools arrives during the second week of August.
Joint Base San Antonio-Youth Programs
Joint Base San Antonio is hosting three back-to-school “supply bash” events where students can collect a free bag of grade-appropriate supplies and enjoy free games and activities.
- 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 31 at Fort Sam Houston Youth Programs, Building 1630
- 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 31 at Randolph Youth Programs, Building 584
- 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Lackland Youth Programs, Building 8420
Back-to-school fair at Palo Alto College
State Rep. Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio) is hosting a back-to-school resource fair in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank, University Health and UT Health San Antonio.
The fair will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Palo Alto College Performing Arts Center at 1400 W. Villaret Blvd.
Attending families can access free school supplies, little to no-cost immunizations, free grocery produce bags and fun family activities.
CentroMed Clinic
CentroMed San Antonio is offering free backpacks and supplies for families who schedule well-child exams at its clinics from now through Aug. 14.
IDEA Public Schools
As part of the statewide Backpacks for Bright Futures initiative, IDEA Public Schools is hosting backpack giveaways in San Antonio, open to all students, even those who don’t attend an IDEA campus.
The first 600 school-aged children at each event will get a backpack filled with school supplies, including rulers, pencils, highlighters and more.
- Noon to 2 p.m. on July 31 at IDEA Hidden Meadow Academy and College Preparatory
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 1 at IDEA Judson Academy and College Preparatory
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 8 at IDEA Walzem Academy and College Preparatory
Harlandale ISD back to school bash
Harlandale Independent School District is hosting its annual back-to-school bash from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 30 at the Morrill Center located at 5200 S. Flores.
Attendees can expect family-friendly activities, giveaways and opportunities to connect with district staff while learning about programs and services available throughout Harlandale ISD.
Westside Family YMCA – Back to School Bash
The Westside Family YMCA is hosting a community event with free school supplies, local vendors and community resources from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, July 31 at 2900 Ruiz St.
School supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and children must be present to receive them.
BiblioTech EDU Back-to-School Bash
BiblioTech Public Library is hosting a back-to-school bash in partnership with Bexar County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, featuring supply giveaways, free immunizations, games and more.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 1 at 626 N. Flores St.
Big Mama’s Safe House
Big Mama’s Safe House, a youth gun violence prevention group, is hosting two back-to- school community events on Saturday, Aug. 1.
The events will feature free food, community resources, hygiene supplies and school supplies.
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Phillis Wheatley Park at 710 Arthur St.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at SAY Si Cultural Center at 1310 S. Brazos St.
Blessed Angels Community Center
The Blessed Angels Community Center is partnering with the city’s Council District 10 office to host a back-to-school event with free supplies, backpacks, baby diapers, baby clothes, socks and free snacks.
Children must be present to receive free supplies.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, located at 14078 Nacogdoches Rd.
Empower House Back to School Fair
Empower House is hosting a back-to-school fair with free backpacks, school supplies, music, food and more.
The event is from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 1 at Lockwood Park, at 801 N. Olive St.
Back-to-School Bash at Woodlawn Lake
Fiesta Youth is hosting a back-to-school event with a school supply giveaway, live entertainment and a free raffle. There will be free backpacks for children in attendance while supplies last. Fiesta Youth is also accepting donations.
The event is from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Woodlawn Lake Gymnasium, located at 219 Alexander St.
St. Paul UMC
St. Paul United Methodist Church is hosting a backpack giveaway event, with free vaccinations, free sports physicals and free haircuts for boys.
There will also be food and drinks, a gaming truck and a moon bounce.
The event is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 508 N. Center Street.
The Staging Post
The Staging Post, an antique store and gift shop, is hosting a back-to-school giveaway with balloon art, a live Disney singer and other free resources.
The event is from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1 at 6150 Wurzbach Rd.
District 5: Back to School en la Vecinidad
Council District 5 is hosting a school supply giveaway to students and teachers.
The event is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2 at the Southside YMCA, at 835 W. Southcross Blvd.
Bexar County and Military Veterans Services
The Bexar County Department of Military and Veterans Services is hosting its sixth annual backpack giveaway for military families. The event also features a mobile clinic and a veteran resource fair.
The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Wonderland of the Americas at 4522 Fredericksburg Rd.
Spurs Back-to-School Bash
Spurs Sports & Entertainment is hosting its fifth annual Back-to-School Bash, offering free school supplies for grades K-12, haircuts, health screenings and more.
The event is from noon to 3 p.m. on Aug. 8 at the Frost Bank Center. Registration is free but required to attend.
Miller’s Pond Community Center and Park
San Antonio Parks and Recreation is hosting a back-to-school event with free backpacks and supplies, low-cost immunizations, a community resource fair and youth activities.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Miller’s Pond Community Center and Park at 6175 Pearsall Rd.
District 1 at Edison High School
City Council District 1 is hosting a back-to-school bash with resources, services and community organizations as families prepare for the upcoming school year.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 8 at Edison High School located at 701 Santa Monica St.
District 4 Back to School Bash
City Council District 4 is partnering with CentroMed San Antonio to host a “lively” back-to- school resource fair. The fair is from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 8 at the CentroMed Berto Guerra Jr. Clinic, located at 5439 Ray Ellison Blvd.
District 7 at Marshall High School
City Council District 7 is partnering with Community First to host a back-to-school fair with free backpacks, school supplies, free VIA Bus sign-ups and other resources.
The fair is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 8 at the Marshall High School cafeteria, located at 8000 Lobo Ln.
NEISD bash for district families only
North East Independent School District is hosting its second annual back-to-school bash, with free supplies, haircut vouchers, free tennis shoes and more resources. The event is open exclusively to NEISD students and their families, and attendants should have student identification numbers available.
The bash is from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Aug 8 at the Littleton Gym (Blossom Athletic Center) located at 12002 Jones Maltsberger Rd.
District 8 and SAFFE Unit Bike Ride Backpack Giveaway
City Council District 8 and the San Antonio Police Department will host a back-to-school bike ride and backpack giveaway, with the first 500 attendees receiving a backpack with school supplies. Attendees can ride their bikes alongside police officers, meet specialized units, enjoy free ice cream and more.
The event is from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Aug. 8 at UTSA Park West, located at 8000 TX-1604 Loop.
Grace Countryside Funeral Home
Located on the far Southside of San Antonio, Grace Countryside Funeral Home is hosting a back-to-school fair and market with school supply giveaways, community resources, free hot dogs and chips and local vendors.
The fair is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 16 at 479 S. Loop 1604 W.
Bexar County AgriLife: “Harvesting Success”
The Bexar County Prairie View A&M Extension Community and Economic Development unit is hosting a back-to-school bash featuring free school supplies, community resources, free haircuts and family-friendly activities on the farm.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 22 at the Bexar County AgriLife Urban Farm located at 1516 Sherman.
Communities in Schools San Antonio
Communities in Schools San Antonio (CIS-SA) is currently hosting several supply drives across the city as part of a “Stuff the Bus” initiative, partnering with other groups to raise supplies and money.
CIS-SA works with 130 schools across 15 school districts and six counties in the region, providing mental health and community support and will accept individual donations on Aug. 1 at participating H-E-B locations.
Current “Stuff the Bus” partners include Pearl, 10 Las Palapas locations, EoS Fitness and the UT San Antonio Youth Volleyball Clinic.
The San Antonio Chamber Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting a networking mixer with the admission being a new backpack or school supplies to benefit CIS-SA, from 4 to 6 p.m. on July 30 at Sunset Brews at 1904 Fredericksburg Rd.
For more supply donation opportunities visit the CIS-SA website.
This story originally appeared in the San Antonio Report.