Washington Parent is a proud sponsor of the 2026 Back to School Bonanza.
The backpacks are already out. Fairfax County Public Schools started the 2026-27 year on Monday, Aug. 24, which means the first full week of early alarms, new teachers and forgotten lunchboxes is behind you. The reward lands that Saturday.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, KOJAM Events hosts its 2026 Back to School Bonanza at Springfield Town Center, an outdoor festival built around food, shopping, music and the start of the new school year. It runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.
What to expect
The festival brings together local businesses and makers, food vendors and food trucks, and live entertainment throughout the day. Families can browse a curated lineup of small businesses, grab lunch on site and settle in for music without buying a ticket or committing to a set start time.
The local focus is deliberate. KOJAM Events is a Northern Virginia outfit that builds community festivals around local talent and small businesses, and the Bonanza gives those businesses a place to meet neighborhood families face to face as the school year gets going. The vendor mix skews toward makers, artisans and independent shops you are unlikely to find in a big box aisle.
Washington Parent is a sponsor of this year’s Bonanza alongside Springfield Town Center. Connecting local families with the businesses, programs and community events in their own backyard is the work we have been doing across the DMV for 40 years, and this festival is built on the same idea.
The timing is better than it looks. Week one is when supply lists turn out to be incomplete, when the new shoes pinch and when everyone in the house needs a Saturday that does not involve a form to sign. This one asks nothing of you beyond showing up.
The come and go format helps. Six hours is a long window, so families can drop in between a morning practice and an afternoon nap and still catch the best of it.
Selling something? Vendor spots are still open
If you run a small business, a home based operation or a craft side hustle, the Bonanza is also a place to set up shop. KOJAM Events is still taking vendor registrations, with booth tiers that start at $100 for makers and artisans and scale up through standard, gold and platinum placements. Food vendors register separately and keep their own proceeds, and KOJAM curates the lineup so the food options do not duplicate one another. Current Springfield Town Center tenants can claim a booth at no cost.
Businesses can reach KOJAM Events at info@kojamevents.com or 703.328.4531 for availability and deadlines.
Know before you go
- What: KOJAM Events 2026 Back to School Bonanza
- When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Springfield Town Center, 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield, Va. 22150
- Cost: Free admission, no ticket required
- Good to know: This is an outdoor festival, so plan for August heat. Bring water, sunscreen and hats, and check the KOJAM Events social channels the morning of for weather updates.
- More information: kojamevents.com or @kojamevents on Instagram
Still sorting out the year ahead? Check the key dates in our Fairfax County Public Schools calendar and our DC Public Schools calendar.
Back to School Bonanza FAQ
Is the Back to School Bonanza free?
Yes. Admission is free and no ticket or registration is required for families. Food, drinks and vendor purchases are paid separately at each booth.
What time does the Back to School Bonanza start?
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. There is no set program start, so families can arrive at any point during the six hour window.
Is the event indoors or outdoors?
It is an outdoor festival held at Springfield Town Center. Plan for late August weather in Northern Virginia and bring water, sunscreen and hats.
Where is the Back to School Bonanza held?
Springfield Town Center, 6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield, Va. 22150, in Fairfax County.
Can my business sell at the Back to School Bonanza?
Yes. KOJAM Events is still accepting vendor registrations across several booth tiers, with separate categories for food vendors, bakers and artisan makers. Current Springfield Town Center tenants can register at no cost.
Ronel Hentschel is the Publisher at Washington Parent. With a passion for marketing and parenting, she’s dedicated to creating meaningful content for families. A mother of two teenage boys, Ronel holds an MBA in International Management from the University of London.
