Vendor tents line Center Street in Lindsay Heights at a Heal the Hood MKE block party and resource fair. (Photo by Ryeshia Farmer)

As the start of a new school year nears, many organizations and churches are preparing back-to-school events with school supply giveaways, activities and other resources. 

Find an event happening near you in August and September. 

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(Did we miss an event? Put it in the comments or email us and we will add to list.)

Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center: Thursday, Aug. 22

This event will take place from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 930 W. Historic Mitchell St. and will include full backpack giveaways, Indian tacos, popsicles, balloon twisting and face painting. You must register in advance and have a tribal ID or proof of descendance. More information here.

School Choice Wisconsin at Mexican Fiesta: Friday, Aug. 23 through Saturday, Aug. 24

School Choice Wisconsin will be handing out free school supplies on a first come, first-served basis at the resource tent at Mexican Fiesta from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24 at Henry Maier Festival Park, 639 E. Summerfest Place. Participants will need to register at the site and students must be present to receive items. Festival tickets are $20 on presale and $25 at the gate. More information here. 

City Light Back to School Bash: Saturday, Aug. 24 

This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Liberty Heights Park, 1540 S. 62nd St., West Allis, and will include book bag giveaways to the first 300 children to attend. There will also be lunch, games, prizes, a bounce house, photo area and treats. More information here. 

Heal the Hood MKE Back to School Block Party and Resource Fair: Saturday, Aug. 24

Heal the Hood MKE is setting up shop on North 35th Street and West Villard Avenue with its block party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24. The event will include free school supplies, live music and free food. More information here.

Native Community Spaces with Urban Indigenous League: Saturday, Aug. 24

Urban Indigenous League is hosting Native Community Spaces from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Jackson Park picnic area #1, 2491 S. 43rd St. The event will include a back-to-school book giveaway, food, sports, games, activities, painting and a bouncy house. Register in advance here. More information here. 

Back to School Festival: Sunday, Aug. 25

The office of 2nd District Ald. Mark Chambers Jr. is hosting a back-to-school event from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25 in partnership with Milwaukee Police Department District 7, the City of Milwaukee Office of African American Affairs, Milwaukee Health Services and Walmart at Indigenous Peoples’ Park, 7301 W. Courtland Ave. Free food, book bags, school supplies, haircuts and hair braiding will be available. There will also be health screenings, a bike raffle and kickball game. Community vendors will also be present. More information here. 

Washington Park Wednesdays Back to School: Wednesday, Aug. 28

Washington Park Wednesdays are a summer tradition hosted at the Washington Park Bandshell at 4599 W. Lloyd St. This back-to-school-themed event will be a continuation of the free outdoor concerts, beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28. There will be activities, kids’ games, food trucks, vendors and community groups. More information here.

Essential Life Home Care Services: Saturday, Aug. 31

This event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Aug. 31 at Celebrations Hall, 7906 N. 76th St. It will include free haircuts, face painting, free food, a bounce house, games, raffle prizes and resource fairs. More information here.

Team HAVOC International Overdose Awareness Day:  Saturday, Aug. 31

Team HAVOC’s International Overdose Awareness Day will take place at noon on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Clarke Square Park, 2330 W. Vieau Place. The event will include a school supply giveaway as well as free Narcan and training, Fentanyl test strips, gun locks and free hair cuts. There will also be music, food, children’s activities, vendors and guest speakers. More information here. 

Bayshore Back to School Fun Fest: Saturday, Sept. 7 

This fun, free and family-friendly event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 in The Yard at Bayshore, 5800 N. Bayshore Drive. A free showing of “Rock Dog 3: Battle The Beat” will follow from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. More information here. 

Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.


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PrincessSafiya Byers was born and raised in Milwaukee, and is a 2020 graduate of Marquette University, majoring in Journalism and Africana Studies. Her commitment to her community has led her to nonprofit work with local youth and families. She’s also interned with the Milwaukee Community Journal and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and joins Milwaukee NNS as a Report for America Staff Reporter looking to serve democracy by covering issues important to the community.