San Antonio families with kids heading back to class can pick up free school supplies, haircuts and health screenings this Saturday when the San Antonio Spurs host their fifth annual Back to School Bash at Frost Bank Center. The free event runs from noon to 3 p.m. on Aug. 8 and requires advance registration to receive a digital admission ticket, with parents or guardians required to be present with their children.
The bash is open to parents, students and teachers in grades K-12, and offers school supplies, dental and vision screenings, and free haircuts on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, according to WOAI News 4 San Antonio. Educators must show a teacher ID to enter, a detail that matters given that K-12 teachers spend an average of nearly $900 out of pocket annually on classroom materials, according to a Capital One Shopping retail analysis. Attendees will also find information booths covering school enrollment, extracurricular activities, mental health support and family support services, along with the chance for students and their guardians to meet Spurs players and the Spurs Coyote.
Free Health Screenings Add Up Over Five Years
The event’s health component has grown substantially since it launched. Per SS&E, the bash has provided more than 1,400 health screenings, including glucose and heart checks, over the past two years, along with roughly 1,000 dental screenings and cleanings in that same span. Organizers say the bash has drawn more than 14,000 attendees combined since its start five years ago, and has handed out about 23,000 school supplies over the past two years alone.
Patricia Mejia, Chief Impact and Inclusion Officer at Spurs Sports & Entertainment, said the event removes barriers for families and brings the community together to support students and educators. Every student, she added, deserves to begin the school year with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.
Timing Lines Up With Tax-Free Weekend and School Start Dates
The bash falls on the same weekend as the 2026 Texas sales tax holiday, which runs from Friday through Sunday and exempts qualifying clothing, footwear and school supplies priced under $100 from state and local sales tax, per the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. That overlap gives San Antonio families a rare stretch of days to stack free giveaways with tax savings just before the school bell rings. Most major area districts start classes the following week, with Northside ISD and South San Antonio ISD returning Aug. 10 and San Antonio ISD and Harlandale ISD following on Aug. 12, according to KSAT…