Back-to-School Events and Parties in South Central PA

Back 2 School Resource Fair, Reading. August 16th, 10am – 1pm. State Rep. Manny Guzman is teaming up with Reading Mayor Eddie Moran for a Back-to-School Resource Fair you won’t want to miss! This family friendly event will take place on Friday, August 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 644 Penn Street /Courtyard. This fair will feature backpack giveaway, haircuts, and tons of other resources and free school supplies!

Back-to-School Bash, Womelsdorf Park. August 24th, 12pm – 3pm. Take time to celebrate your hard work during summer quest, enjoy the last days of summer and celebrate new beginnings as the school year comes around. We’ll be having games, crafts, snacks, books, animals, back pack swap and more.

Back to School Bingo, Reading Public Library. August 19th, 3pm. Get ready for school with us! Come in and play bingo to win back to school supplies.

Back to School Family Fun Night, Rita’s Italian Ice, Blandon. August 16th, 6pm – 8pm. First Annual Back to School Family Fun Night! Stop on by and with every purchase, each student can get a ticket to spin the wheel for a fun school supply! If you’re a School District Employee, enjoy 15% off your treat! Color fun Rita’s pages to decorate our store! Ice Guy will be making an appearance at 7pm! Take fun photos at our photo back drop, and play some friendly outdoor games with the family! It’s a night of family fun before the school year starts!

Back-to-School Bash, Crossfit Crossing, Wyomissing. August 16th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Join us for one last bash before we head back to school! Participate in a GLOWING dance party. Open to children in grades 3+!

Back-to-School Car Show and Carnival, Tri-Valley YMCA, Fleetwood. August 17th, 11am – 2pm. Cruise over in your vintage, or custom car and support the Tri Valley YMCA’s child care programs at our back to school event. To register email [email protected] or call 610-944-6515. Event donations are accepted at the door.

Back-to-School Sendoff, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park, Mechanicsburg. August 19th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Come on out to Memorial Park for an exciting Back to School Sendoff Event! This event will feature Rakestraws, Whistle Stop on Wheels, Donut NV, and J+D Cheesesteaks! This event will also include a bounce house, face painting, balloon twisting, Palus Farm, crafts, MASD cheerleaders, hair tinsel, and FREE STUDENT HAIRCUTS!!

Blessing of the Backpacks, Hope Church, Mechanicsburg. August 18th, 9:30am. Are you heading back to school this fall? If so, bring your backpack to Hope Church on Sunday, Aug. 18, and we would love to pray for you as you prepare to start the school year. There will be free school supplies & cookies as well!

Back-to-School Storytime, New Cumberland Library. August 27th, 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Join us for a story and craft to get ready for the first day of school! Whether it will be your first time attending school, or you’re a returning student, come celebrate the start of another great year with us!

American Girl Back-to-School Tea Party, Coy Library, Shippensburg. Join us for our American Girl Back to School Tea Party! Bring your doll for a special doll-sized craft, tea & snacks.

Ready, Set, Explore Back-to-School Bash, WITF Public Media Center, Harrisburg. August 17th, 10am – 1pm. At this event, children can:

• Enjoy getting their face painted for FREE
• Send a postcard to hype themselves up for the first day of school
• Program a robot mouse to go through a maze and find its cheese
• Enjoy bilingual story times with WITF’s Tia Flora
• Meet and take a photo with Alma from Alma’s Way… and more!

Don’t forget to pick out a free book before you go home! This event is designed for children and teens, ages 3 – 14.

Annual Back-to-School Block Party, The Journey Church, Harrisburg. August 17th, 12pm – 4pm. You’re invited to our annual Back-to-School Block Party being held on August 17th from 12-4PM! This is our annual event we hold providing backpacks, activities, and fun for everyone in our community.

Back2School Giveaway, The Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg. August 24th, 11am. Join us for our Annual Back2School Supply Giveaway with the Harrisburg communities!

Back-to-School Bash Giveaway, Hillside SDA Church, Harrisburg. August 18th, 1pm – 5pm. Get ready to start the school year off right with free supplies, haircuts, a bounce house, and tasty refreshments! Join us at 1501 State St., Harrisburg, PA 17103, for a fun-filled day that has everything you need to head back to school in style. Don’t forget to reserve your spot — text SCHOOL to (833) 252-0526 today!

Back-to-School Bash, Tanger’s Version, Tanger Outlets, Hershey. August 17th, 1pm – 3pm. Calling all Swifties! Celebrate the coming school year with a twist! Tanger Hershey’s Back to School Bash, presented by UPMC Health Plan, is Taylor Swift themed! Come dressed in your favorite Era and enjoy live music, sweet treats, a friendship bracelet making station, photo op area, giveaways and more! Are you ready for it?

Back-to-School Bash Craft Show & Community Event, Patriot Park, Hummelstown. September 7th, 9am – 2pm. This event is going to be jam packed with something for everyone. A huge variety of unique crafters as well as vendors who have all of your favorites! There will also be food trucks, raffle giveaways, 50/50 ticket sales, and so much more!

Back-to-School Blastoff, Rainbow’s End Youth Services, Mount Joy. August 16th – 17th. Join us at the REYS Back-to-School Blastoff for a time of family fun! Our Back-to-School Blastoff Carnival is a fantastic opportunity to connect with our community, enjoy fun activities, and raise funds for the upcoming year. We aim to raise $40,000 for REYS to continue serving the students of our community. Come to the carnival to support our mission, have fun, and create lasting memories!

Back-to-School Blast, Life in Christ Church, Lancaster. August 17th, 11am – 1pm. Join us for our Back to School Blast on Saturday, August 17th, from 11 am – 1 pm @ 1027 Dillerville Rd, Lancaster, PA 17603. All are welcome! Children ages 4-12 years old will receive quality backpacks and supplies (while supplies last). FREE hotdog meals and other fun foods. Activities include bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, haircuts, and more!

There will also be giveaways, including a PlayStation 5, Go’n Bananas Basket, Skyzone Basket, Lancaster Stormers tickets, gift cards, a clothing table, and more.

Back-to-School Event, Clipper Magazine Stadium, Lancaster. August 18th, 12pm – 2:30pm. This event is only open to K-8th grade students who live in the School District of Lancaster, Manheim Township School District, Hempfield School District, and Penn Manor School District areas. Registration is required.

Registration will run from 12PM to 2:30PM, with festivities continuing until 4PM and ending with a free Stormers’ game at 5PM. Children will have the opportunity to receive a free haircut, enjoy music, food, games and community activities. Information will be available on state programs and services for children.

SDoL Back-to-School Celebration, J.P. McCaskey High School, Lancaster. September 18th, 4pm – 7pm. Join us on September 18th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at JP McCaskey Victory Field for an unforgettable evening of fun, community, and connection as we kick off the new school year!

Backpack/School Supplies Giveaway, Quarryville Elementary School. August 17th, 10am – 1pm. All students are welcome to come that day and choose a backpack and school supplies. While supplies last. No registration required, just show up that morning!

Back-to-School Party, Life Connection Church, Palmyra. August 24th, 11am – 2pm. Due to bad weather we have chosen to host a back to school party to distribute our backpacks and school supplies this year. We also will have teacher goodie bags to give away. All items are while supplies last! *If you are a vendor who would like to participate with us please email us at:
[email protected].

ELCO Back-to-School Picnic, ELCO Middle School, Myerstown. August 22nd, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Our Back to School Picnic was a huge success last year, and this year will be even bigger and better! We learned a lot the first time, and we heard your feedback. There will be MORE FOOD TRUCKS (less time in line!), as well as games, a DJ, and more. Details will be added as we get closer to the date. This event is for all students/families in all grades, as well as our young future ELCO Raiders! Hope to see you there!

2024 Community Kickoff, Secondary School Campus, Annville. August 20th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Food trucks, free school supplies, games, marching band performances, and more!

Back-to-School Fill-Up, Refillism, York. August 15th – 16th. 10% off per oz refills (York & Lancaster Locations). Free Eco-School Supply Set with $25 Purchase (Notepad, Pencil & Pen Set, While supplies last, York Location Only).

Kinder Kick Off, Gift Horse Brewing Company, York. August 16th, 3pm – 6pm. Help us kick off the new school year and join us for this all ages happy hour event! Proceeds from all food and beverages will benefit the Devers Kindergarten Team and their students’ educational experiences. Thank you to our sponsors and hosts Gift Horse Brewing Company and Happy Camper Eats & Treats!