Back-to-school events around the Tampa Bay area

TAMPA BAY, Fla. — As families prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, there are several back-to-school events popping up county-by-county to help get kids ready.

Take a look at our list of back-to-school happenings around the Tampa Bay area.

Hernando County

Back to School Bash | Terlep Chiropractic
Saturday, July 29 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Kids can receive free physicals at this event in addition to school supplies. There will also be free food and games. You will also earn free chiropractic care for a donation of school supplies to the Hernando County Education Foundation.
Back to School Event | 4169 Lamson Ave, Spring Hill, FL 34608-3745
Saturday, August 5 | 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Kids can get their hair cut for $5 at this event, along with free backpacks, school supplies, small business vendors and food trucks.
Back to School Bash | Tom Varn Park
Saturday, August 12 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The City of Brooksville is hosting this community event. Parents are welcome to stop by Tom Varn Park and pick up a backpack full of school supplies for their children.

Hillsborough County

16^th Annual Back to School Fair | Westshore Plaza
Saturday, July 29 | 2 – 6 p.m.
Families can get their school shopping done at the 16th Annual Back to School Fair presented by Hillsborough County Public Schools. The event will include over 50 vendors, including nonprofits, schools and activity providers. The first 500 kids in line will receive free backpacks.
Florida Penguin's Back-to-School Bash | Brandon Mall
Sunday, July 30 | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This event is bringing together all the best resources for families in the Brandon, East Tampa and Riverview areas to make sure kids are set up for a successful school year. Participants will have the chance to meet with community resources, after school programs, healthcare providers, pediatricians, optometrists, and tutors. There will be a giveaway of 250 backpacks and Tampa Bay's favorite sports mascots will also be on hand to help with the festivities.
Back to School Bash | HCA Florida Brandon Hospital
Thursday, August 3 | 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
The HCA Florida Brandon Hospital Women’s and Children’s Services team will be hosting a Back to School Bash outside the Children’s Emergency Department entrance. The free event is open to the public and will include the opportunity to tour a fire truck and ambulance (“Touch-A-Truck”) as well as see a helicopter land on the hospital’s helipad, arts and crafts, a teddy bear clinic, food, music and school supplies while supplies last.
Florida Blue: Back to School Event | Florida Blue Tampa
Saturday, August 5 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Florida Blue will be hosting a morning of school supply giveaways. The event will also be an opportunity to learn about their member perks and community resources.
2nd Annual Future Billionaire Back To School Bash | The Resource Empowerment Centre Suite 101
Saturday, August 5 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Black Billionaire Institute will be teaming up with The Resource Empowerment Centre and many other local businesses in the Tampa Bay Area to help students get ready for the new school year. There will free food and live music, along with free school supplies and other giveaways.
Ali & Gracie’s Back to School Bash | Sayde Gibbs Martin Community Center
Saturday, August 5 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Along with free school supplies, attendees can expect an opportunity to receive free haircuts, food and face painting. Plant City Police Department and Plant City Fire Department will also be in attendance.

Manatee County

Back to School Bash | G.T. Bray Park
Friday, August 4 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Guests can receive a free backpack and stick around for games and a bounce house. Vendors and food trucks will also be available.
Back 2 School Community Event | Palmetto Boys & Girls Club
Saturday, August 5 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This event will have an array of school supplies that will be distributed among students for the new school year, as well as free food.
Back to School Bash | Bethel Church
Saturday, August 5 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Bethel Church will be hosting a Back to School Bash in which kids can receive free backpacks with school supplies. The event will also feature free ice cream, water slides and games.

Pasco County

Back to School Bash | Hope City Church
Saturday, July 29 | 11 a.m.

Hope City Church is inviting the community out for a day of fun and festivities before the new school year gets underway. There will be live music, games and food.
Back to School Bash | Life Church Community Center
Saturday, August 5 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Students will have the opportunity to shop for shoes, backpacks, socks and school supplies. Attendees must be registered first in order to participate.
Florida Penguin's Back-to-School Bash | Tampa Premium Outlets
Sunday, August 6 | 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

This event is bringing together all the best resources for families in the Lutz and Wesley Chapel areas to make sure kids are set up for a successful school year. Participants will have the chance to meet with community resources, after school programs, healthcare providers, pediatricians, optometrists, and tutors. There will be a giveaway of 250 backpacks and Tampa Bay's favorite sports mascots will also be on hand to help with the festivities.
Back to School Festival | Walmart Health
Tuesday August 8 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Walmart Health Center in Zephyrhills will be hosting its first Back to School Festival in front of their health center in the parking lot area. There will be vendors, activities and games for kids, food and music. Attendees can also receive same-day physicals for the school year.

Pinellas County

Back to School Bash | Westfield Countryside Mall
Saturday, July 29 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The event features an interactive scavenger hunt, free school supplies, raffles, and dozens of family resources to prepare for the school year.
St. Pete Vineyard’s Back to School Bash | St. Pete Vineyard
Saturday, August 5 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The vineyard will be hosting some family fun, including food trucks, treats and crafts. The event will also have a free backpack giveaway.
Back To School Celebration | Bayside Community Church
Saturday, August 5 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center will be providing backpacks loaded with school supplies to more than 500 local students. Participants must supply a photo ID; proof of residency, e.g., utility bill; a Social Security card or birth certificate for each child in the family.
Back to School Backpack Giveaway | Tropicana Field
Saturday, August 5 | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday Shoppes and Live Love St. Pete are partnering up to give away 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies.
Big Top Back to School Bash | Studio 131
Sunday, August, 6 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
There will be a giveaway of 500 backpacks with school supplies, vendors, carnival games and live music. The event will also be accepting donations to help benefit students.

Polk County

Polk County Parks and Recreation Back to School Bash | Wilfred Smith Resource Center
Saturday, July 29 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Polk County Parks and Recreation will be throwing a Back to School Bash to help kids from Kindergarten to fifth grade prepare for a new year of school, with 400 backpacks and free school supplies to be distributed to students. Items will be given on a first come, first served basis.
First Friday Back to School | Downtown Lakeland
Friday, August 4 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
First Friday is a family-friendly event held in the streets of Downtown Lakeland between Lemon Street and Oak Street along Kentucky and Tennessee Avenues. They will be a hosting Back to School theme with games and food trucks. Event parking is limited, so attendees are encouraged to carpool.
Unity In the Community Back to School Bash | Lake Eva Event Center
Saturday, August 5 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
For this Back to School Bash, there will be free school supplies, food and games, along with social providers to assist with navigating health and life challenges. There will also be limited free physicals available.
Mulberry Community Back to School Bash | Mulberry Civic Center
Sunday, August 6 | 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The community service center will host a back to school bash for elementary students who live in Mulberry and attend a Mulberry school. Residents can register for the event at the service center from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Free backpacks, school supplies and more: back-to-school events around the Tampa Bay area