As families across Richmond gear up for a new school year, local organizations are stepping up in a big way. From backpacks and school supplies to haircuts, food, games, and community resources, these events make it easier for every child to start the year feeling confident and prepared.
Below is your complete guide to Back‑to‑School Events happening across the Metro Richmond area:
July
Community Enrichment Day – The Rock Project
- Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
- 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Location: Liberation Church, 5501 Midlothian Tpke, Richmond, VA 23225
- Food, school supplies, guest speakers, and community partners. Substance‑free event.
Cobra One Social Club – Back to School Supply Giveaway
- Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Location: 1060 N 4th St, Richmond, VA 23220
- Bookbags and supplies (while supplies last). Children must be present with an adult.
August Events
Stony Point Fashion Park Back-To-School Event
- Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Stony Point Fashion Park, 9200 Stony Point Parkway, Richmond, VA 23235
- Free school supplies (while supplies last)
🎨 Face painting
🎈 Balloon art
📖 A table by READ RVA (learn about their free literacy programs), and other local nonprofits
🖌 Get crafty and customize your backpacks, binders, and school supplies!
⚗ Science experiments & demos
🧁 Sweet treats from Nothing Bundt Cakes
🍭 Refreshing popsicles from King of Pops - Midlothian
🍋 A LemonAid stand with Anthem LemonAid - RVA benefitting children with cancer at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Phil Ting District 19 – Backpack Giveaway
- Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Time: 9 AM
- Location: Biltmore Baptist Church, 1300 New York Ave, Glen Allen, VA 23060
- A community backpack giveaway offering essential school supplies for students.
Southside Community Back2School Block Party (MO’s Convenience)
- Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Location:17 Richmond Highway Suite B, Richmond, VA 23224
- Free haircuts, a big bounce house, school supply giveaway, DJ, games, and family fun.
Contact: Abdu – 804‑253‑5131
Northside Coalition for Children – Back to School Rally
- Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: Bethlehem Baptist Church, 215 Wilkinson Rd, Richmond, VA 23227
- Free and open to the community.
Contact: 804‑687‑6743
Community Care Day
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: 2611 Bells Road, Richmond, VA
- Free food, backpacks, clothing, mental health resources, spiritual support, and a bounce house for kids.
The Hair Palace of RVA – 5th Annual Back‑to‑School Event
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Time: 12 PM – 4 PM
- Location: The Hair Palace of RVA, Southside- 449 east belt blvd suite F, Richmond, VA 23224
- 2,000 backpacks with supplies, free braids and haircuts, vendors, a live DJ, and free food.
Street Dreamerz & Partners – Back 2 School Bookbag Giveaway
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Location, Advance Auto, 3031 Mechanicsville Tpke, Richmond, VA 23223
- Free bookbags and school supplies.
Henrico Back‑to‑School Kickoff
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Location: Henrico Sports & Events Center, 1 All Star Blvd, Glen Allen, VA 23059
- A large county‑wide kickoff event with school‑themed activities and family fun.
EmpowerHER Back to School 2026 (elle & ava)
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Location: VCU SHIFT Retail Lab, 1235 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220
- Empowering girls & women with free clothes, hygiene products, mental wellness sensory boxes, raffles, a fashion show, and more.
Richmond MC Collaboration – Back to School Giveaway
- Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Location: 711 Hospital Street, Richmond, VA 23223
- Free school supplies, hygiene items, professional haircuts, music, games, and prizes.
Contact: KING RIP – 804‑617‑5887
New Shoes for Back to School
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: Third Street Bethel AME, 614 N 3rd St, Richmond, VA 23219
- Free new shoes for students, organized by size and style. Shoes available while supplies last.
Back 2 School FREE Shopping Day
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: 1716 E. Cary Street, Richmond, VA
- Free community shopping day hosted by Team 50/50 & Collective Partners. Families can pick up school clothing and essentials at no cost.
Dorey Park Farmers Market – School Supplies Giveaway
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Dorey Park Farmers Market, 2999 Darbytown Rd. Henrico, VA 23231
- Free school supplies available while supplies last.
Barbers & Backpacks – Free Haircuts for Kids
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Location: Hotchkiss Field Community Center, 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd., Richmond, VA 23222
- Free haircuts for kids, hosted by Rebuilding Men & Hotchkiss Community Center.
First Day Fresh – Back to School Event
- Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Location: 5330 Chamberlayne Rd., Richmond, VA
- Free hairstyles, haircuts, loc styles, school supplies, and food. Plus bounce house and face painting.
