As back to school time approaches, many families struggle with buying school supplies, especially those who have several children.
Lots of Lynchburg area churches, organizations, and individuals are helping fill the need for school supplies and also for end of summer fun!
Here's some additional back to school information that's helpful for parents and guardians:
Back to School Information 2026 for Lynchburg City and Area Schools - All the dates and links you need for Lynchburg area public schools
Back to School Time: Virginia Sales Tax Holiday Weekend is August 7-9 - Information about Virginia's sales tax holiday weekend
Lynchburg VA Area School Guide - Information and links to Lynchburg area public and independent schools
Here's a listing of FREE back to school giveaways, FREE back to school events, and FREE end of summer events in the Lynchburg area taking place over the next few weeks. Some of these events include free school supplies, some are end of summer or back to school family-friendly events, and some include both.
We've included a link to each event on our website and a link to the hosting organization's Facebook page, if available.
July 17 from 1 PM - 3 PM - SRP Finale Party for Kids at Forest Library, 15583 Forest Road, Forest from 1 PM - 3 PM.
Kids who took part in this year’s Summer Reading Program are invited to drop in and celebrate with us. We’ll have snacks, hands-on crafts, and fun goodies as we wrap up a summer full of stories, discovery, and imagination. Celebrate everything you’ve uncovered! No registration is required. Snacks, crafts, and goodies available while supplies last!
July 17 from 4 PM - 6 PM - SRP Finale Party for Teens with the Featured Film - Night at the Museum at Forest Library, 15583 Forest Road, Forest from 4 PM - 6 PM.
Join us for a Summer Reading Finale Party for teens ages 12-17! This month, we'll be watching Night at the Museum (2006) featuring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Carla Gugino, Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Bill Cobbs. Register for the event at https://bedford.librarycalendar.com/event/srp-finale-party-teens-78357
July 18 from 11 AM - 4 PM - Annual Back to School Bash at Miller Park, 2100 Park Avenue, Lynchburg from 11 AM - 4 PM.
Come to Miller Park for free school supplies, food, and fun! This event is hosted and sponsored by Constantine Assembly #105 PHA and 23rd Masonic District PHA.
July 25 from 9:30 AM - 11 AM - Food Distribution and School Supply Giveaway at New Chapel Baptist Church, 1977 New Chapel Road, Rustburg from 9:30 AM - 11 AM.
Come to New Chapel Baptist Church for free food and school supplies. All are welcome on a first come, first served basis. School supplies are pre-packaged and age appropriate for elementary school students. This event is hosted and sponsored by New Chapel Baptist Church.
July 25 from 10 AM - 2 PM - Summer Reading Grand Finale Street Fair at Campbell County Public Library - Rustburg, 684 Village Highway, Rustburg from 10 AM - 2 PM.
This free event is for the whole family and is a celebration of the Campbell County community and how much we read this summer! The event includes kids' activities, giveaways, a dunk tank, food trucks, 60+ vendors and more! The event takes place outside in the County Complex around the Campbell County Public Library in Rustburg, but activities will also be inside the library and Historic Courthouse. Everyone is welcome! This event is hosted and sponsored by Campbell County Public Library System.
July 25 from 2 PM - 5 PM - End of Summer Event at Church of the Brethren, 200 Atlanta Avenue, Lynchburg from 2 PM - 5 PM. First come, first served, no registration required.
This free event includes free school supplies (while supplies last), car and truck show, bubble machine, face painting, food and drinks, and more! Bring the family and have some fun before summer ends! This event is hosted and sponsored by 434 NightStepperz and Church of the Brethren - Lynchburg.
July 31 from 10 AM - 2 PM - Final Splashdown at Abbitt Park, 129 Main Street, Appomattox from 10 AM - 2 PM.
This free event says goodbye to Jamerson Library’s 2026 Summer Reading program with a splash! The event includes water slides, bubbles, games, and more! Bring a towel, change of clothes, and a t-shirt to tie-dye! This event is hosted and sponsored by J Robert Jamerson Memorial Library and Abbitt Park.
Aug. 1 from 10 AM - 3 PM - Back to School Splash Bash at Montvale Park, 1092 Marketplace Drive, Montvale from 10 AM - 3 PM.
Join Bedford County Parks & Recreation for a day packed with water-filled fun for the whole family. The event includes giant water slides, water games, a foam party, Kona Ice, inflatables, a photo booth, family-friendly activities, music, and fun! Bring your swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen, and cool down before summer ends. This is a free community event. This event is hosted and sponsored by Bedford County Parks & Recreation.
Aug. 1 from 11 AM - 12 PM - Food Not Bombs Back to School Giveaway at Miller Park, 2100 Park Avenue, Lynchburg from 11 AM - 12 PM or until supplies run out. First come, first served, no registration required.
Variety of school supplies for grades pre-K through college. In addition to school supplies they will also have their regular distribution which includes hot meals, clothing, hygiene items, and more and are accepting back to school donations of every kind, both new and gently used items are accepted. This event is hosted and sponsored by Food Not Bombs - Lynchburg.
Aug. 1 from 12 PM - 2 PM - Rebirth Church Back to School Event at Rebirth Church, 5341 S. Amherst Highway, Madison Heights from 12 PM - 2 PM while supplies last.
In addition to backpacks filled with grade-level appropriate school supplies (including Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, and Ziploc bags), this event includes food, fun, bounce house, and more! All are welcome! This event is hosted and sponsored by Rebirth Church.
Aug. 1 from 12 PM - 3 PM - Immanuel Christian Church Back to School Giveaway at Miller Park, 2100 Park Avenue, Lynchburg from 12 PM - 3 PM or until supplies run out. First come, first served, no registration required.
Variety of school supplies for grades K-12. In addition to backpacks and school supplies, there will also be free hot dogs (donated by Moore's Country Store), kettle corn, ice cream, fun and games, and more! This event is hosted and sponsored by Immanuel Christian Church and numerous other organizations.
Aug. 1 from 12 PM - 3 PM - Backpack Giveaway at Liberty Tax, 2912 Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg from 12 PM - 3 PM while supplies last.
Join the Liberty Tax team for their annual backpack giveaway. First come, first served, no registration required. We are awaiting additional information about this event.
Aug. 1 from 2 PM - 6 PM - 4th Annual Community Day Back to School Event at Hunton Randolph Community Center, 1120 12th Street, Lynchburg from 2 PM - 6 PM. First come, first served, no registration required.
This free annual back to school event features DJ music, fish fry, free food and drinks, bounce house and slide, balloon twisting, face painting, grand prizes, and more! All are welcome with fun for the entire family. This event is hosted and sponsored by Hunton Randolph Community Center and numerous other organizations.
Aug. 1 from 2 PM - 6 PM - Backpacks & Burnouts Car & Bike Show and Back to School Giveaway at The Sparrow Estate LLC, 2709 Town Fork Road, Evington from 2 PM - 6 PM. First come, first served, no registration required.
Next Wave Youth Foundation & Next Generation Achievers presents Backpacks & Burnouts Car & Bike Show. In addition to the car and bike show, this free event includes free school supplies, face painting, fishing, hair cuts and hair styles, hair braiding, bounce houses, vendors, CJ Splack, and more! All cars and bikes are welcome. Presented by Wheels of Soul MC and Supports. No link found for local branches of these organizations. The Sparrow Estate LLC
Aug. 2 from 3 PM - 6 PM - Grove United Youth Ministry 2nd Annual Back-to-School Community Day at Forest Recreation Center, 1088 Rustic Village Road, Forest from 3 PM - 6 PM.
This free annual back to school event features free school supplies, free food, bounce house, games and family fun, raffle giveaways, teacher blessing bags and more! This event is hosted and sponsored by Grove United Youth Ministry.
Aug. 2 from 4 PM - 6 PM - Anxious for Nothing's Annual Back to School Bash at Anxious for Nothing, 578 Blue Ridge Avenue, Bedford from 4 PM - 6 PM. First come, first served, no registration required.
This free annual back to school event features DJ Showtime, free bookbags with school supplies, free haircuts, free food and games, giveaways, clothing closet, vendors providing entertainment and excitement for kids, and more! This event is hosted and sponsored by Anxious for Nothing.
Aug. 2 from 4 PM - 6 PM - National Night Out at Courtland Festival Park, 339 Court St, Appomattox, from 4 PM - 6 PM.
Jamerson Library will join the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Department for National Night Out on Aug. 2 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Courtland Festival Park. Look for us under the blue tent for library-related information, bubbles, craft projects, and body glitter tattoos. There will also be bounce houses, K-9 meet and greet, free school supplies, live music by the Southland Band, and more!
Aug. 8 from 10 AM - 2 PM - Community Champions Back to School Fair at E.C. Glass High School, 2111 Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg from 10 AM - 2 PM. First come, first served, no registration required.
Enjoy a day of family fun at E.C. Glass High School! This free event includes bounce houses, games, prizes, kids' activities, neighborhood vendors, festival food, and more! This event is hosted and sponsored by Central Virginia Business Coalition and numerous other organizations. All community organizations are welcome to participate. See Facebook event for details.
Aug. 8 from 10 AM - 2 PM - One Community One Voice Lynchburg, Virginia Back to School Event at University of Lynchburg (Schewel Hall and The Dell), 1501 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg from 10 AM - 2 PM. Pre-register here for priority service: https://communitymountain.net/event/7 or using QR code on their Facebook page.
This free event includes free brand name back to school shoes, school supplies for grades K-12, premium giveaways of backpacks, sports duffels, and specialty items, raffle and door prizes, DJ and live entertainment, free lunch provided by local police departments, free face painting, balloons, and activities for children, exhibitors: Lynchburg City Schools, municipal services, workforce programs, day care, youth sports programs, and more! This event is hosted and sponsored by One Community One Voice Lynchburg, Virginia and numerous other organizations.
Aug. 8 from 10 AM - 3 PM - Grace Fest at Grace Baptist Church, 337 Lakeview Drive, Madison Heights from 10 AM - 3 PM. First come, first served, no registration required.
In addition to free school supplies, this free annual Fun Day includes live music, vendors with free giveaways and raffles, free clothes closet, giant water slide, kiddie pool, bounce house, live goats and chicks, cake walks, door prizes, free hot dogs, chips, drinks, and more! Bring a chair and spend the day. This event is hosted and sponsored by Grace Baptist Church.
Aug. 8 starting at 11 AM - Welcome Back to School Event at Lynchburg City Armory, 1200 Church Street, Lynchburg starting at 11 AM.
Come to this free event with pencils, books, and school supplies, sponsored by TIST Academy and Kollective Solez. There's also a free basketball clinic from 12 PM - 2 PM.
Aug. 8 from 11 AM - 2 PM - Coolwell Community for Christ presents Back 2 School Bash at Bolling Hill Baptist Church, 1453 S. Coolwell Road, Madison Heights from 11 AM - 2 PM. First come, first served, no registration required.
This free event includes backpack giveaway, free haircuts (ending at 1:30 PM), bounce house, free food, motorcycles and antique car show, and more! All free! This event is hosted by Bolling Hill Baptist Church and sponsored by Coolwell Community for Christ churches: Bolling Hill Baptist Church, Coolwell Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church - Coolwell, and Monroe Baptist Church.
Aug. 8 from 11 AM - 2 PM - Back to School Bash at American Legion Post 16, 1301 Greenview Drive, Lynchburg from 11 AM - 2 PM.
This free community event is open to everyone and features the a foam party, bounce houses, games, prizes, and affordable concessions. Concession tickets are only $3 with all donations benefitting Rustburg High School Marching Band. This event is hosted and sponsored by American Legion Post 16.
Aug. 8 from 4:30 PM - 7 PM - Community Care Expo at Johnson Health Center, 109 Clearview Road, Madison Heights from 4:30 PM - 7 PM.
This free event includes free health screenings and wellness checks, kids’ activities and family-friendly fun, senior health resources, music and community vendors, giveaways and wellness education, and more! Bring your friends and family as we make wellness a celebration! This event is hosted and sponsored by Johnson Health Center.
Aug. 9 from 12 PM - 5 PM - Ana'Rah's Back to School Community Cookout at Riverside Park, 2238 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg from 12 PM - 5 PM.
Free community event for all school age kids. School supplies and backpack giveaway, free food, and more! Cookout is at the pavilion. Children can enjoy the sprayground. This event is hosted by Ana'Rah.
Aug. 9 from 1 PM - 2:30 PM - Back-to-School Blessing Bash at Prayer of Faith Temple, 3100 Hill Street, Lynchburg from 1 PM - 2:30 PM.
This free event follows the 11 AM Morning Service at Prayer of Faith Temple. Fun for all ages with free food, free school supplies, free bookbags, bounce house, water relays, games, crafts, and more. This event is sponsored and hosted by Prayer of Faith Temple.
Aug. 9 from 2 PM - 5 PM - Back to School Drive at All Nations Church, 1119 Oakley Avenue, Lynchburg from 2 PM - 5 PM.
This free event includes bookbags, school supplies, Bounce House Bros, fun and games for the whole family, giveaways, and more. This event is hosted and sponsored by All Nations Church.
Aug. 9 from 3 PM until supplies are gone - Pure Skin & More LLC 2nd Annual Back to School School Supply Giveaway at Miller Park, 2100 Park Avenue, Lynchburg from 3 PM until supplies are gone. First come, first served, no registration required.
Pure Skin & More LLC is accepting donations (school supplies, backpacks, monetary donations), volunteers, and partners for this free event. This event is hosted by Pure Skin & More LLC.
Aug. 9 from 3 PM - 5 PM - Liberty Baptist Church Kids Back-to-School Bash at Liberty Baptist Church, 1709 Church Street, Appomattox from 3 PM - 5 PM.
This free family event includes three different water slides (including a 30' tall and 70' long slide), kiddie pools, hot dogs and snow cones, and more! Parents will also be able to register their children for the upcoming Cherub Choir, KidSing, and Awana year. The event is free and open to all families in the community. This event is hosted and sponsored by Liberty Baptist Church Kids and Liberty Baptist Church.
Aug. 12 from 6 PM - 8 PM - Back-to-School Rodeo at Pleasant View Baptist Church, 19278 Forest Road, Lynchburg from 6 PM - 8 PM.
This free family event includes a mechanical bull, western-themed games, snacks, crafts, and a free school supply giveaway! Ages K-12 are welcome! This event is hosted and sponsored by Pleasant View Baptist Church.
Aug. 14 from 4 PM - 7 PM - Altavista Block Party at Staunton River Memorial Library, 500 Washington Street, Altavista from 4 PM - 7 PM.
Everyone from across Campbell County is invited to this free event which includes music and dancing, face painting, outdoor games, free door prizes, a food truck, the Milk & Cookies event, and more! This event is hosted and sponsored by Campbell County Public Library System and Altavista On Track.
Aug. 15 from 12 PM until supplies run out - Y.E.S. Ministries Back to School Annual Explosion at Miller Park, 2100 Park Avenue, Lynchburg starting at 12 PM.
This free event includes a backpack giveaway, free clothing, free school supplies, fashion show, praise dance, music, Zooey the Clown, food, games, and giveaways. Please bring a bag for your freebies, and a blanket or chair to sit on. This event is hosted and sponsored by Y.E.S. Ministries.
If your church, nonprofit, or organization is sponsoring a FREE or inexpensive back to school event, please submit your event on our website at https://lynchburg.macaronikid.com/events and click "+ ADD EVENT" to enter on our calendar of events.
It seems impossible that summer is almost over, but the first day of school is only weeks away! August is Back to School Month for Lynchburg City Schools and schools in the surrounding counties.
Help your kids get ready for the new school year by planning ahead. Register online and read all of the information available on the school's website. These five additional tips will help make the school year easier for the entire family:
- Spend the last week before school begins with earlier bedtimes and earlier wake-up times so your child will be ready on the first day of school.
- Encourage your child to read at least 15 minutes each day. Even better, spend time reading together as a family.
- Help your child set goals for the new school year and set up a study center stocked with all of the supplies your child will need.
- Limit electronics during the week and encourage your child to study even when there's no homework.
- Stay in touch with your child's teacher and attend events held at school. Volunteer in your child's classroom if possible this year.
Our FREE newsletter publishes weekly on Thursdays at 7 AM. You can subscribe to our newsletter here. Our newsletter features local family-friendly events as well as crafts, recipes, boredom busters, and other ways to entertain your kids and keep them busy!
Have a great school year and let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® throughout the school year!
