Again To College Offers San Antonio
Soar To: College Begin Dates | Tax Free Weekend | Native Giveaways & Group Occasions| Native Offers | Nationwide Retailer Presents | Meal Offers | Cash Saving Ideas | FAQs for San Antonio Mother and father |
Again-to-school season is right here, and Larger San Antonio households are gearing up throughout the town and close by communities like Boerne, Converse, and Bexar County precincts. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for free backpacks, group useful resource festivals, tax‑free procuring suggestions, or eating promos, this 2025 information highlights all the things out there within the San Antonio metro.
Editor’s Notice: Our employees works onerous to convey you the newest data. Nevertheless, all data talked about on this article is topic to vary. As all the time, please verify earlier than heading out.
When Is College Beginning within the San Antonio Metro (2025–26)?
Some college districts within the San Antonio space have already begun the brand new 2025–26 educational yr. La Vernia ISD kicked issues off on Monday, August 4, making it the earliest district to start out that yr. Shut behind, East Central ISD began lessons on Thursday, August 7.
For almost all of districts, nonetheless, college students can be heading again to highschool mid-August. Northside ISD, Northeast ISD, Southwest ISD, and South San Antonio ISD will welcome college students again on Monday, August 11.
Districts like San Antonio ISD, Alamo Heights ISD, Harlandale ISD, IDEA Public Colleges, Judson ISD, and Fort Sam Houston ISD will then observe on Wednesday, August 13.
Randolph Subject ISD and Schertz‑Cibolo‑Common Metropolis ISD begin on Thursday, August 14. Somerset ISD follows on Monday, August 18, Comal ISD on Tuesday, August 19, and Marion ISD rounds out the lineup on Wednesday, August 20.
Texas Tax‑Free Weekend: What Counts & Methods to Maximize It
August 8–10 window
Texas’s annual again‑to‑college gross sales tax vacation runs from Friday, August 8, by midnight Sunday, August 10, 2025. Throughout this era, eligible purchases are exempt from each state and native gross sales taxes, which implies a stable three‑day window for fogeys and college students to fill up on back-to-school gadgets with out the added 6.25% state tax (or as much as about 8.25% together with native charges).
Eligible vs excluded gadgets
Qualifying gadgets embody most clothes, footwear, backpacks, and particular college provides, offered every merchandise prices underneath $100 (together with supply, dealing with, or transport charges). There’s no restrict on the variety of eligible gadgets you should buy.
Non‑qualifying gadgets embody something priced at $100 or extra, specialty athletic or protecting gear (e.g. golf cleats, soccer pads), clothes rental or alterations, equipment like jewellery, purses, purses, baggage, belt buckles, and non‑listed college gadgets corresponding to unspecified textbooks or software program.
On-line/mail order tips
On-line purchases, catalog orders, mail orders or phone gross sales depend so long as the sale (cost) happens between August 8 and 10, no matter when gadgets ship or arrive.
If cost is tried throughout the window however declines and is resubmitted after midnight on August 10, it not qualifies.
Transport, dealing with, and supply costs are included within the merchandise’s last worth, so make certain the overall stays underneath $100 per merchandise to remain exempt
Native affect
Throughout Texas, households are saving an estimated $133.2 million in state and native gross sales taxes throughout the 2025 tax‑free weekend alone, which averages out to about 8 cents saved per $1 spent on qualifying items. In different phrases, that’s practically 8% again on clothes and faculty‑provide buys.
Native Giveaways & Group Occasions in San Antonio & Surrounding Areas
Bexar County Army & Veterans Providers Again to College Giveaway
Gear up for the brand new college yr with free pre-filled backpacks for veteran households! Simply convey your Veteran ID or DD214 and ensure your little one is with you to snag one in all these improbable backpacks, out there on a first-come, first-served foundation.
SS&E Again To College Bash
Head to Frost Financial institution Middle on Sunday, August tenth, from 12-3 PM to your probability to attain free college provides and sources for college students and lecturers in grades Ok-12. Registration is open now and is required to attend.
USO San Antonio Again to College Bash
On August 9, head over to the USO to get college provides and luxuriate in interactive occasions, arts and crafts, photobooths, and scrumptious snacks.
Pica Pica Plaza Again to College Occasion
Rating wonderful offers with free college provides, father or mother sources, and an opportunity to snag one in all 250 supply-filled backpacks. Simply be sure to seize a wristband beginning at 9:30 a.m. to your shot at a backpack, and don’t miss out on free haircut vouchers from the College of Cosmetology, Arts and Sciences!
Harlandale Unbiased College District Annual Again to College Bash
Head to the Again to College Bash subsequent Saturday, August 9, at Harlandale Memorial Stadium, from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM, for improbable offers on college provides, immunizations, free haircuts, and useful sources!
Reclaim Church Again to College Giveaway and Group Useful resource Occasion
You’re invited to seize free backpacks, college provides, and even vaccines, all whereas having fun with music, meals vehicles, video games, and group enjoyable.
Good Samaritan Group Providers Again to College Bash
The Good Samaritan Group Providers Again to College Bash is your final cease totally free college provides, recent haircuts, and important group sources, all out there whereas provides final.
Autism Group Community Again to College Celebration
Rating free backpacks and faculty provides whereas they final, then dive right into a day full of music, scrumptious meals, enjoyable video games, and superior native distributors.
Frost Financial institution Again to College Ice Cream Social
Carry the household over to the Frost Financial institution Again to College Ice Cream Social the place you’ll discover free ice cream, superior music, and important college provides to kick off the tutorial yr proper.
State Rep. Philip Cortez’s Again-to-College Honest
Gear up for a tremendous college yr at State Rep. Philip Cortez’s Again-to-College Honest, the place you may snag free backpacks, college provides, and grocery luggage!
There will even be a wholesome cooking demo by the San Antonio Meals Financial institution, important vaccines from College Well being, and dental screenings from UT Well being San Antonio, with much more sources from group companions.
Kingdom Tradition Church Again to College Bash
Have fun the brand new college yr with a day full of free college provides, snacks, haircuts, nail portray, and a improbable snack bar, all open to each pupil and household.
PACC: Again to College Bash for Youngsters
Welcome the brand new college yr on the PACC: Again to College Bash for Youngsters, the place you will get free college provides, take pleasure in thrilling video games, scrumptious snacks, energetic drumming, and a lot extra, all hosted by the Pan-African Cultural Group.
District 2 Annual Back2School Fest on the DoSeum
Get a free backpack full of grade-level provides in case your little one lives or attends college in District 2. Simply convey proof of deal with. Plus, it’s also possible to take pleasure in free meals and join with group useful resource distributors.
The Bearded Plumber Shoe Giveaway at WSS
Be there early to snag one in all 250 pairs of brand-new footwear—any pair within the retailer—completely for college students.
Again to College Procuring San Antonio: The place to Store for Offers
Again-to-school procuring can really feel like a marathon, particularly when your child’s provide listing appears to be like prefer it was written by an overachieving workplace supervisor. However excellent news: San Antonio is full of locations to stretch your {dollars} with out sacrificing model or necessities.
From big-box rollbacks to outlet steals and community-driven donation spots, right here’s the place locals are scoring the most effective offers this season:
H‑E‑B, Walmart, and Goal
These are basic favorites for back-to-school fundamentals. Anticipate nice offers on all the things from composition notebooks and pencil packs to backpacks and lunch kits, particularly throughout tax-free weekend gross sales.
Communities In Colleges “Stuff The Bus” Drives
When you’re procuring, think about selecting up just a few additional gadgets for college students in want. The “Stuff The Bus” donation drive is energetic throughout San Antonio, with assortment bins arrange at collaborating H‑E‑B shops and group hubs.
It’s a straightforward approach to help native households whereas doing your individual back-to-school prep.
Workplace Depot & Staples
In case your listing contains classroom bulk gadgets or tech gear like calculators, USB drives, and printer paper, these shops are a stable alternative. They typically run trainer appreciation promos, provide price-matching ensures, and carry organizational instruments for center schoolers and teenagers.
Greenback Tree, 5 Beneath & Household Greenback
For households on a good finances, these shops are treasure troves. You’ll discover fundamentals like notebooks, pens, and markers for $1–$5, together with enjoyable extras like locker décor, planners, and quirky pencil instances that youngsters truly wish to use.
North Star Mall & Ingram Park Mall
When it’s time to refresh the wardrobe, San Antonio’s main malls ship. Retailers like Previous Navy, JCPenney, Youngsters’s Place, and Foot Locker provide back-to-school gross sales on uniforms, sneakers, and on a regular basis outfits, plus clearance racks that may significantly reduce prices.
San Marcos & Spherical Rock Outlet Malls
For households keen to enterprise outdoors the town, outlet procuring can imply severe financial savings. Simply an hour’s drive from San Antonio, these facilities characteristic discounted costs on fashionable manufacturers like Levi’s, Adidas, Nike, and Vans, excellent for back-to-school clothes and footwear.
Texas Thrift, Goodwill, and Child to Child
Native thrift and resale retailers typically carry gently used college uniforms, name-brand footwear, and backpacks in nice situation. Shops like Child to Child additionally specialise in youngsters’s resale and are well-stocked this time of yr.
Uniform Specialty Shops
In case your little one attends a faculty with a selected costume code, it’s price visiting native uniform retailers like AA Uniform or Uniform Mart. These shops carry the required kinds and colours for San Antonio ISD and plenty of space constitution colleges, typically with bulk reductions and seasonal promotions.
High Nationwide Retailer Presents (Domestically Out there)
Apple
Head over to the Apple Retailer at North Star Mall or La Cantera, or try the Apple Training Retailer on-line, to seize a qualifying MacBook, iMac, or iPad.
You’ll be able to rating a free accent (as much as $179 worth) or get large reductions on premium gadgets like AirPods Professional 2, all whereas saving as much as 10% with Apple’s schooling pricing!
Walmart
Uncover all the things from 25¢ college provides and tech upgrades to clearance finds on clothes and dorm must-haves.
Staples
College students and oldsters can discover scorching back-to-school offers on the Staples Summer time Financial savings Occasion with necessities beginning at simply 25 cents. You can even take pleasure in purchase one, get one 50% off on writing instruments and weekly freebies.
Hole
Dive into Hole’s large clearance occasion, saving as much as 60% on back-to-school necessities.
Nordstrom
Discover Nordstrom’s back-to-school offers in San Antonio for unbelievable reductions on fall style and brand-new arrivals. Discover necessities like Nike, Vans, and Converse footwear, plus wonderful magnificence and designer backpack markdowns.
Goal
Discover unbelievable back-to-school offers at Goal in San Antonio, with a whopping 40% off college provides and extra.
Adidas
Rating as much as 40% off at Adidas on sneakers, athletic attire, soccer jerseys, and extra.
Finest Purchase
Discover financial savings on all the things from laptops, headphones, and printers to handy dorm home equipment.
eBay
Put together for the brand new college yr by discovering unbelievable offers on iPads, laptops, dorm necessities, and extra throughout eBay’s markdown occasion.
Macy’s
Uncover improbable financial savings at Macy’s with as much as 50% off on a big selection of back-to-school style. You can even discover nice costs on necessities like backpacks, studying instruments, and dorm décor.
American Eagle
Put together for the brand new college yr by benefiting from American Eagle’s improbable back-to-school offers. The retailer is providing a 30% low cost on just about all the things.
Columbia
Put together for the brand new college yr with 25% off choose Columbia Sportswear kinds. Buyers simply want to make use of the code CLASSACT to get these financial savings on sturdy gear.
Converse
Gear up for the brand new educational yr by benefiting from 25% off choose Converse kinds. Moreover, you could find an additional 40% off sale gadgets by utilizing the code BACK2SCHOOL at checkout.
Reebok
Discover 35% off choose full-price kinds and an additional 50% off choose sale gadgets by utilizing code BTS at checkout.
Kipling
Uncover wonderful back-to-school offers throughout Kipling’s sale. Uncover unique reductions and markdowns on a wide range of gadgets.
Meal Offers for Again to College
Instacart
College students and oldsters in San Antonio can put together for the brand new college yr with Instacart’s Again-to-College Deal Week, operating from August eleventh to seventeenth. Merely place a $10 order to obtain each day free lunchbox necessities and discover financial savings on different favourite snacks and lunch gadgets.
HelloFresh
Simplify your back-to-school meal prep with a particular HelloFresh provide. Through the use of code USATOCARAWAY in your third field, you’ll obtain 10 free meals and a Caraway pan.
Save extra while you eat out with the children by eating at these eating places the place children eat free in San Antonio.
Cash-Saving Ideas & Procuring Technique
Again-to-school procuring can sneak up in your finances quick—particularly when you have multiple child or an inventory that appears to develop longer by the minute. However with a bit of planning and good timing, San Antonio mother and father can reduce prices with out slicing corners.
Listed here are some tried-and-true tricks to make your college procuring smoother and extra reasonably priced:
Begin with a house stock.Before you purchase, test what you have already got. Final yr’s unused notebooks, additional pencils, or evenly worn uniforms would possibly nonetheless be in nice situation.
Get the varsity provide listing early.Most districts launch official lists on-line. Stick with what’s required to keep away from overspending on pointless extras.
Store throughout the Texas tax-free weekend (August 8–10).Maximize financial savings by planning large purchases like backpacks, footwear, and clothes throughout the state’s gross sales tax vacation. Simply make certain every merchandise is underneath $100 to qualify.
Observe your favourite shops for real-time offers.Many retailers publish flash gross sales and coupons on their apps or social media. Signing up for texts or e-mail alerts can unlock early entry and further reductions.
Stack coupons with price-matching insurance policies.Shops like Walmart, Goal, and Workplace Depot typically match competitor costs and a few assist you to mix this with digital coupons or rewards packages.
Think about shopping for in bulk (then splitting with different mother and father).Multi-packs of folders, glue, or markers are cheaper per unit. Staff up with a good friend or neighbor and break up the price.
Prioritize necessities and delay non-urgent buys.Some provides (like tissues or headphones) might not be wanted instantly. Give attention to core gadgets for day one, then revisit the remainder throughout end-of-season clearance gross sales.
Set a finances and contain your children.Giving your little one a spending restrict for garments or provides can educate budgeting expertise—and scale back surprising splurges within the aisles.
Again to College FAQs for San Antonio Mother and father
When is the most effective time to buy back-to-school offers in San Antonio?The most important offers sometimes roll out from late July by mid-August, with the height occurring throughout Texas’s tax-free weekend (August 8–10, 2025). Nevertheless, some retailers begin markdowns as early as late June.
Do shops in San Antonio worth match throughout back-to-school season?Sure. Main retailers like Walmart, Goal, and Workplace Depot provide price-matching insurance policies. Simply convey proof (like a flyer or app screenshot) and test their phrases. Some solely match native rivals or on-line shops.
Are college provides cheaper in-store or on-line?It relies upon. In-store procuring allows you to seize doorbusters and clearance gadgets, whereas on-line retailers might provide digital-only reductions or bundles. Many households do a mixture of each for the most effective general financial savings.
Can I take advantage of coupons throughout the tax-free weekend?Sure, you may mix retailer coupons, producer coupons, and loyalty reductions throughout the tax-free vacation, so long as the merchandise stays underneath the $100 threshold (together with after reductions and transport, if shopping for on-line).
The place can I discover free or discounted college provides in San Antonio?Applications like Communities In Colleges’ Stuff The Bus, San Antonio ISD back-to-school occasions, and varied nonprofits host provide giveaways all through August. Native libraries, church buildings, and group facilities additionally take part.
Are college uniforms included in back-to-school offers?Sure. Many shops like Goal, Previous Navy, Walmart, and native uniform retailers provide seasonal gross sales on required costume code gadgets. Uniforms additionally qualify for tax exemption throughout the tax-free weekend if every merchandise is underneath $100.
What if I purchase one thing now and it goes on sale later?Some shops provide worth changes if an merchandise to procure goes on sale inside a sure window (sometimes 7–14 days). Maintain your receipts and test every retailer’s coverage.
Is it higher to purchase backpacks and footwear early or look ahead to clearance?Fashionable sizes and styles are inclined to promote out early, particularly for backpacks and youngsters’ footwear. Purchase early for those who want one thing particular; store clearance in late August for extras or backup pairs.
Can I return or trade tax-free purchases later?Sure, regular return insurance policies apply. Nevertheless, for those who trade an merchandise after the tax-free weekend, the alternative merchandise could also be taxed if it’s over the $100 restrict or not qualifies.
Do native San Antonio malls or outlet shops provide additional back-to-school occasions or financial savings?Sure. Malls like North Star Mall, Ingram Park Mall, and The Rim typically host particular procuring weekends with leisure, additional coupons, or giveaways. Outlet malls in San Marcos and Spherical Rock additionally run seasonal promotions excellent for back-to-school wardrobes.
There are all the time a number of enjoyable occasions happening in and across the Alamo Metropolis. Take a look at our weekly updates to Issues to Do in San Antonio this Weekend – all curated by a neighborhood.
