Updated for 2026! Looking for back-to-school school supply giveaways in Columbia, TN and the Maury County area? I’ve rounded up this year’s free back-to-school events, including backpacks, school supplies, and family fun, all in one place to make it easy to find one that works for your family’s schedule. With Maury County’s first day on Monday, August 3, grab your calendar and let’s get the kids ready!
And don’t forget, Tennessee’s tax-free weekend runs Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2, 2026. It’s a great chance to save on school supplies, clothing, and more. More on that at the end.
These events are typically designed to support families who could use a little help covering school-related expenses. If you’re in that spot, I hope you find an event here that works with your schedule.
This list includes everything I’ve come across so far, but I know I may have missed something and more events may be added. If you know of additional local school supply events or resources, please email me and I’ll gladly add it.
Please note: Columbia TN Kids Guide is not affiliated with any of the organizations hosting these events. If you have questions, need more details, or want to confirm anything, please reach out to the event organizers directly. Event times and details may change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check before you go.
Back to School Bash & Resource Fair w/ Mental Health Cooperative
Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Riverwalk Park, 102 Riverside Dr, Columbia, TN 38401
Cost: Free
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BFm80Xa6TB2C_1SECV2W9kbw2h6LIRmi/view
Community back-to-school event with backpacks, school supplies, local resource tables, kids’ activities, food, DJ and music, and giveaways for families from Maury and surrounding counties.
Mission 21 Back to School Carnival (Foster & Adoptive Families)
Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: 4:00–8:00 PM
Location: Spring Hill Church of the City, 4910 Main Street, Spring Hill, TN 37174
Cost: Free
Website: https://www.gatewayfranklin.com/events/rryon7w1fa72xkaks29xgbcmicqw3l
This carnival is specifically for foster and adoptive families and includes shoes, school supplies, treats, carnival games, and a prize booth. Hosted by Gateway Church Franklin and Church of the City.
Backpack Giveaway and School Supplies Event w/ Pentecostals of Columbia
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: Pentecostals of Columbia, 955 Baker Rd, Columbia, TN 38401 (Pavilion on Burt Drive)
Cost: Free
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Jrfty1QSV/
Annual back-to-school backpack giveaway offering free school supplies, a meal, Kona Ice, bounce houses, and games for families.
Outdoor Movie Night and School Supplies Giveaway w/ C1.Church
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 7:00–9:00 PM
Location: C1.Church, 907 Nashville Hwy, Columbia, TN 38401
Cost: Free
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1bPT79THzB/
Family outdoor movie night featuring a school supplies giveaway with free popcorn and cotton candy, plus bounce houses and food trucks. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a fun evening together.
Back to School Giveaway (Multiple Pick-up Locations): Columbia Avenue Church of Christ & 5th Sunday Fellowship Churches of Christ
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 8:00–9:00 AM
Cost: Free
Drive-thru style pickup of 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies and gift cards, available while supplies last. Locations include:
- Central High School – Columbia
- Fairview Park – Columbia
- Mt. Pleasant Middle School – Mt. Pleasant
- Hickman County High School – Centerville
Back to School Giveaway w/ Loyal Chapel Free Will Baptist Church
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Loyal Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Columbia, TN
Cost: Free
Loyal Chapel Free Will Baptist Church is hosting a back-to-school giveaway to help local families get ready for the new school year. Stop by between 9 AM and 12 PM to pick up school supplies while they last.[Attachment]
For more information or to confirm details, contact the church at 931-388-6672, email loyalchapelfwbc@loyalchapelfwbc.com
Back to School Bash w/ Mt. Pleasant Parks & Rec (The Splash Pad)
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: The Splash Pad, Mt. Pleasant, TN
Cost: Free
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Qgc6pcj96/
Come to the Splash Pad for free food and free school supplies for all ages, while they last. A fun way to wrap up summer with the kids before school starts back up!
Back to School Bash and Free School Supplies w/ Area V YPD (Mount Pleasant)
Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 12:00–3:00 PM
Location: Williams Spring Park, Columbia, TN 38401
Cost: Free
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCCxf572qItSwFrGHUdG2HDjUAwPTAuVGlfBMlySFW1IJtYw/closedform
Back to School Bash with free school supplies, music by WhoDat Boyz, and family-friendly activities at Williams Spring Park. Registration is encouraged through the QR code on the event flyer.
Bo’s Back to School Bash: Free Day of Play w/ DownTown Children’s Museum & Bo’s Blessings (Lawrenceburg)
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Location: DownTown Children’s Museum, 29 Public Square, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
Cost: Free; registration required
Event Link: https://facebook.com/events/s/bos-back-to-school-bash/1835461647818417/
Registration: https://form.jotform.com/261908124457056
Free Day of Play sponsored by Bo’s Blessings where every child receives school supplies and a Blessing Bag while supplies last. Limited spots are available each hour; every child must have a completed registration form, and upon arrival they receive a colored armband for their play time.
Back to School Drive Event w/ Mold Busters (Mt. Pleasant)
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: 1:00–4:30 PM
Location: Mold Busters, 1097 N Main St, Mt. Pleasant, TN 38474
Cost: Free
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EJmhFWtEQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Family back-to-school drive offering free food, hair cuts, water slides, and school supplies for each family. All families are welcome to come out, have fun, and get ready for the new school year together.
Events from 2025
I’ve also reached out directly to several organizations that hosted giveaways last summer, including The River Church, Catholic Charities / St. Catherine of Siena, Bountiful Blessings Ministries, One Way Church, the AT&T store, Theo’s Golden Laine, and New Day Community Church. Most of them confirmed they are not doing giveaways this year.
Tennessee Tax-Free Weekend: July 31–August 2, 2026
From Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2, you won’t pay sales tax on school-related items. That includes:
- School supplies (priced at $100 or less per item, like notebooks, crayons, glue, backpacks)
- Clothing (under $100 per item, including shoes and outerwear)
- Computers (under $1,500 for personal use)
Full details and exclusions: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday.html
I’ll keep adding to this list as I find more events. Know of one I missed? Drop it in the comments or send me a message!
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