Boston, MA | Countdown to the fab finds of Record Store Day: Last year vinyl record sales hit $1 billion in the US. With LP sales up about 10% from 2024 and indications that upswing will continue this year, vinyl is no longer a fad. It’s a way of life. Join the lifestyle on Record Store Day. On Saturday, April 18, record collectors celebrate a chance to hunt down rare and exclusive releases put out especially for the holiday. Here are a few of the best exclusives for 2026. This tribute to Mac is shockingly delightful. Looking at the label, you might go, “OK, cool, a bunch of covers by obvious-but-fun indie acts from Haim to New Pornographers to Best Coast.”
St Albans, UK | Counting down to this year’s Record Store Day: There are just a few days to go until the biggest weekend of the year for St Albans’ house of vinyl, the independent Empire Records in Heritage Close. National Record Store Day originated in the United States in 2007 after a group of independent record shop owners came together to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture of their stores. Now every year hundreds of record shops across the UK participate in the celebrations. A staggering 500 exclusive records are released on Record Store Day and these are only available from these independent stores on Saturday April 18. Owner Marina De Sclavis said: “We’re very excited to be hosting our 12th Record Store Day this year. We feel we’ve got the best selection we’ve ever had, literally hundreds of exclusive vinyl records!
Oak Park, IL | Val’s halla Records Celebrates Record Store Day as Vinyl Sales Surge Nationwide: Val’s halla Records will mark Record Store Day on Saturday, April 18, 2026, opening at 8:00 a.m. for a full day of exclusive vinyl releases, live music, and in-store programming that draws collectors, artists, and fans into the shop from early morning through the evening. At 239 Harrison Ave in Oak Park’s Arts District, customers begin lining up the night before Record Store Day, with early demand driven by limited releases available only through independent record stores. The store sees sustained foot traffic throughout the day, with customers moving through the aisles to access new inventory and exclusive pressings. “Record Store Day at Val’s halla brings people together around a shared connection to music,” said Trevor Toppen, proprietor of Val’s halla Records.
Northampton, UK | Vinyl arrives at Northampton shops ready for annual Record Store Day: Vinyl by the likes of Taylor Swift, CMAT, Lil Peep and Charli XCX are among a host of releases which will be up for grabs at two Northampton shops this weekend when Record Store Day returns. Spun Out in Gold Street and Vinyl Underground in Abington Street will be selling a selection of this year’s records and in recent days have been receiving this year’s stock. Both shops will open at 8am on Saturday, April 18, with queues expected from the early hours of the morning. Spun Out owner Chris Kent, pictured with releases by CMAT, Lil Peep, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX and Elvis Presley, said: “It’s a big list this year and I’ve had lots of people coming in to request different titles. I’ve ordered a lot and this time around there’s a lot of interesting titles.”
Paris, FR | Record Store Day: the biggest vinyl event returns across France this weekend: Record Store Day returns on April 18 across France with exclusive vinyl releases, concerts, and a unique atmosphere at independent record stores. Music lovers take note: April 18 will mark the return of a highly anticipated event. For one day, independent record stores across France will offer a selection of exclusive vinyls, available only in-store. That’s right, this weekend we’re celebrating the famous Record Store Day, which brings together hundreds of stores every year! For one day, independent record stores will offer a selection of exclusive vinyls, often produced specifically for the event. No immediate online release, no standard pre-orders. You’ll have to go out, dig through the bins, stumble upon them, or arrive early enough to hope to get your hands on the biggest gems.
Southport, UK | Record Store Day UK sees Quicksilver Music and HARP Coffee and Games in Southport team up: Quicksilver Music and HARP Coffee and Games in Southport are once again teaming up to ensure music lovers enjoy Record Store Day UK! This year’s event will take place on Saturday (18th April 2026) with large numbers of shoppers once again expected at this iconic local independent record store, on the corner of Market Street and King Street, near Southport Market. The shop has been established for 17 years. The doors will open at 8am with some exciting finds waiting to be discovered. The good news for people queuing is that they will be able to sustain themselves through buying coffee and bacon sandwiches from HARP Coffee and Games on King King Street, owned by Nick McCoy, who worked with Dave Thornley from Quicksilver Music to great acclaim 12 months ago.
Toledo, OH | Culture Clash celebrating Toledo with live music and more on Record Store Day, 419 Day this weekend: Culture Clash is throwing ‘the best party in town’ for the 19th annual Record Store Day on Saturday. The celebrations and live music continue Sunday for 419 Day. Music lovers and vinyl collectors are invited to gather in downtown Toledo this weekend as Culture Clash marks the 19th annual Record Store Day with an all-day celebration. The event, described by Culture Clash as “the best party in town”, takes place Saturday, April 18, beginning at 10 a.m. at the shop’s Monroe Street location. The annual tradition highlights independently owned record stores and the communities built around them.
Detroit, MI | Record Store Day 2026: Hot titles, limited quantities. What to expect. What’s in store for this year’s vinyl holiday fan event. Saturday is Record Store Day, the annual holiday for independent record stores, featuring hundreds of limited-edition vinyl releases from superstar artists. Record Store Day began in 2008 as a modest way to get people to visit their friendly neighborhood record shop. It has since exploded in popularity, and for record stores, it’s their Christmas, a day when thousands of vinyl collectors hit the bins looking for new and used vinyl along with those special Record Store Day releases. Every year features a Record Store Day Ambassador, and this year’s is Bruno Mars, who will offer his “Collaborations” set, which features his partnerships with Lady Gaga, ROSÉ and more. The set is limited to 11,000 copies. Also in the offerings are releases from everyone from Air to Zerobaseone.
IN | Vinyl lovers, this one’s for you: Record Store Day goes pan-India: Six cities are gearing up to celebrate indie record stores and a trailblazing Indian music pioneer this weekend. Have you fallen in love with the art of crate digging, vinyl hunting, record collecting or whatever you want to call it? Or does the activity evoke heavy nostalgia, reminiscing of a once happy childhood now lost? Either way, you’re not the only one with cherished memories at a record store. Record stores are, in fact, so beloved that there’s an entire day commemorating them. It started off in 2007 as a day celebrating the culture of the indie record store and its influence in driving the music scene. The concept’s simple. Every April, ever since its conception, record stores across the world open their doors to music fans to listen, discover and talk about artists, music, records and more.
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