One Community Health will have free backpacks for kids in K-12 at their OCH Patient & Community Appreciation Day on Friday, August 7, 2026 at their midtown Sacramento campus. Children must be present to receive a backpack and supplies are limited. There will also be a health fair, community resources, snacks, fun activities, vaccinations, health screenings, and more.
Families get free pool admission at the Back to School Pool Party on Friday, August 7, 2026 at Cabrillo Pool from 3pm to 7pm. There will also be a backpack giveaway while supplies last, free food, and prizes.
The Food Literacy Center will have monthly First Fridays in Oak Park from June to August at 3428 3rd Avenue. There will be a free kids farmers market, free popcorn, and family-friendly activities from 5pm to 8pm while supplies last.
Youth ages 12-24 can attend the free NorCal Arts Sactown Youth Nights on Friday, August 7, 2026 at John D. Sloat Elementary. The night will include free food, art stations, an open mic, and more. This is a free event but pre-registration is required.
For $3, families can choose a backpack and fill it with school supplies as part of the Teen Back To School Store on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Sac Metro Church (6201 Winding Way) in Carmichael from 10am to 12pm. This event is hosted by the Sacramento Chapter of HOPE Worldwide. No registration required. Cash and card accepted. Supplies are first-come, first-served.
Destiny Church Sacramento will have a free Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 8, 2026. There will be backpacks, a clothing boutique, haircuts, a BBQ lunch, entertainment, characters, and more. Children must be present at the event to receive a backpack, and accompanied by adults who need a registration ticket to attend the event.
The Annual Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026. This free festival that celebrates Japanese food and culture will take place at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento. There will be games for kids at the event.
Hooked On Fishing Not On Violence will have a free backpack giveaway on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Fruitridge Collaborative in Sacramento starting at 12pm. There will also be free school supplies, haircuts, hair accessories, live performances, community resources, and family fun.
Little Labs takes place every second Sunday at Verge Center for the Arts in Sacramento for toddlers. Little Labs will take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Kids will get to do sensory fun art projects.
River City Food Bank will have a free diaper distribution for families in need on Monday, August 10, 2026 at the RCFB Arden-Arcade site from 10:30am to 12pm. 25-50 diapers per household will be distributed. This is a diapers-only distribution. IDs are not required but helpful. Available first-come, first-serve until supplies run out.
Families can pick up a backpack filled with school supplies in a drive-thru at Mack Road Valley Hi Community Center on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 5pm to 7pm. Kids do not need to be present and you must remain in your vehicle.
Free backpacks will be provided to the first 500 registered families with school-age children at the Meadowview Backpack Giveaway on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 by the South Sacramento Family Resource Center - Meadowview. Backpacks will be filled with school supplies at 2251 Florin Road from 4pm to 6pm. Registration is required.
Celebrate Natomas returns on Saturday, August 15, 2026. There will be bounce houses and face painting at this free, family-friendly community event. There will also be live music, food vendors, and performances by Q-VO (Santana cover band) and Pickles and Chips (Earth, Wind & Fire cover band).
Monster Jam revs and rolls into Sacramento for two days on August 15 & 16, 2026. The action takes place at the Golden 1 Center. Pit parties will also occur at select shows.
NorCal Resist will have a free food and diaper distribution for those in need in Sacramento on Friday, August 21, 2026. The distribution will occur at Grace Lutheran Church from 10am to 12pm.
The Hope Community will host a free Back 2 School Block Party on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at McClatchy Park. There will be a kids zone with inflatable attractions, face painting, free haircuts, free hot dogs, community resources, and more.
A free Youth Culture & Community Wellness Festival for ages 12-24 will take place on Friday, August 28, 2026 at La Familia's Maple Neighborhood Center in Sacramento. Youth can connect with new friends while decorating tote bags, getting creative with plants, building personalized calming kits, and enjoying music, food, and more fun.
The much-anticipated emPOWERment Park in Sacramento will have its Grand Opening on Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 9am to 11am. The first 200 attendees will receive free snow cones. This is a socially inclusive and sensory-integrated playground.
The free South Sacramento Festival will take place at Valley Hi Park on Saturday, August 29, 2026. There will be activities for kids, cultural performances, music, food, and community resources.
Watch Sacramento artists create vibrant art on the sidewalks of Midtown with chalk art at Chalk It Up over Labor Day Weekend in Fremont Park. This free, three-day festival returns over Labor Day Weekend from September 5-7, 2026. This family-friendly festival will have live music, vendors, and food.
SacAnime Summer will be in Sacramento for three days from September 4-6, 2026 at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center. This is a family-friendly event with activities for all ages including gaming and cosplay.
Watch Sacramento artists create vibrant art on the sidewalks of Midtown with chalk art at Chalk It Up over Labor Day Weekend in Fremont Park. This free, three-day festival returns over Labor Day Weekend from September 5-7, 2026. This family-friendly festival will have live music, vendors, and food.
California Admission Day Celebration marks the anniversary of California Statehood on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 on the west steps of the State Capitol Building with cake and ice cream while supplies last. There will also be live music from the 1850s performed by the Capitol's ukulele group at this free, family-friendly event.
Catch a free drive-in movie at the West Wind Drive-In in Sacramento on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Gates open at 6pm and movies begin at 8pm. $2 nachos will be available, along with activities such as bounce houses, face painters, a balloon artist, and an obstacle course.
A free Oki Park Food Truck Night + Outdoor Movie will take place on Friday, September 11, 2026. Food trucks will be on-site from 5pm to 8pm. A movie will follow beginning at 8pm. Bring blankets and chairs.