Back-to-School 2026: Events Happening Across the Triangle
Back-to-school season is here, and communities across the Triangle are helping local students and families get ready for a new school year.
From free backpacks and school supplies to haircuts, health screenings, food, games and family activities, organizations across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Fuquay-Varina and Wake Forest are hosting events designed to help students start the school year prepared and confident.
Here is a look at back-to-school events happening across the Triangle in 2026. Event details are subject to change, so check with organizers before attending.
WAKE FOREST
1. Back to School Book Bag Giveaway at Hope House
Families in Wake Forest can pick up book bags and school supplies during this free community giveaway. The event is scheduled to include food and other activities for families.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Hope House, 334 N. Allen Road, Wake Forest, N.C.
Admission: Free, while supplies last.
Triangle on the Cheap lists the event as a free back-to-school giveaway.
2. Back to School Bash at KidsStreet Urgent Care
KidsStreet Urgent Care is helping Wake Forest students prepare for the school year with a backpack giveaway. Organizers plan to give away 300 backpacks filled with school supplies.
Date: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: KidsStreet Urgent Care, 2115 S. Main St. A, Wake Forest, N.C. 27587
Admission: Free backpacks, while supplies last.
3. Kickoff the School Year
Families can wrap up the summer with an evening of food, games and community activities at this Wake Forest event. The celebration will feature food trucks, lawn games, local vendors and college football on a big screen.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: 3 to 7 p.m.
Location: 1829 S. Main St., Wake Forest, N.C.
Admission: Details available through event organizers.
KNIGHTDALE
4. Arts & Education Festival
The Town of Knightdale is bringing back its Arts & Education Festival for a day focused on preparing students for the new school year.
The free event will feature school supply and backpack giveaways, free haircuts, free hair braiding, educational vendors, food trucks, a live DJ, games, inflatables and activities from community organizations. The backpack giveaway is limited to one backpack per child, and children must be present to receive one.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Knightdale Station Park, 810 N. First Ave., Knightdale, N.C. 27545
Admission: Free.
CHAPEL HILL
5. Community Book Bag Giveaway
Chapel Hill families can get a jump-start on the school year during the city’s annual Community Book Bag Giveaway.
The free event will include book bags, food, haircuts and braiding, activities and live entertainment.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Hargraves Community Center, 216 Roberson St., Chapel Hill, N.C.
Admission: Free; no registration required.
Triangle on the Cheap lists the event as a free community giveaway.
RALEIGH
6. The Shop RDU’s 2nd Annual Back to School Backpack Bash
The Shop RDU is hosting its second annual Backpack Bash, giving families another opportunity to stock up on supplies before the new school year.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Vision Church RDU, Raleigh, N.C.
Admission: Free.
The event is listed among Triangle-area back-to-school events and is scheduled for Aug. 15.
7. Equipped for Excellence Back-to-School Event
St. Matthew Baptist Church will host a back-to-school event designed to give students more than just school supplies. The event will feature encouragement, interactive youth sessions, school success tips, supplies, toiletries and lunch.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; check-in begins at 9:45 a.m.
Location: St. Matthew Baptist Church, 5410 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27616
More info: Tickets and information are available on Facebook.
8. Kick-Off to Kindergarten at Marbles Kids Museum
Rising traditional kindergarten students can get a preview of what to expect when school starts during Marbles Kids Museum’s annual Kick-off to Kindergarten program.
The free program gives children a chance to experience activities modeled after a typical school day, including morning meeting, music, physical education, playtime, a school bus ride, a lunch line and storytime. Registration is required.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Marbles Kids Museum, 201 E. Hargett St., Raleigh, N.C. 27601
Admission: Free; registration required.
For families with children entering kindergarten, this event offers a chance to make the transition to school a little more familiar before the first day.
WENDELL
9. Summer Splash Bash at Shotwell Environmental Park
While not exclusively a school-supply giveaway, the Summer Splash Bash is another family-friendly event listed by Triangle on the Cheap as a back-to-school activity.
The free event will feature water slides, slip-and-slides, an inflatable obstacle course, a bubble bash, yard games, touch-a-truck activities, hayride landfill tours and free lunch.
Date: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Shotwell Environmental Park, 4724 Smithfield Road, Wendell, N.C.
Admission: Free.
Families are asked to check in at the registration desk upon arrival to rec
