It’s that time again: Record Store Day 2026 is, as always, scheduled for the third week of April. This year, the date falls on April 18.
It’s fair to say that Record Store Day has become a well-established event across much of the world. The event celebrates the independent record store—and yes, they are very much still around. You may no longer find them as large chains in major shopping malls, but those were rarely the best places for expert advice, relaxed listening sessions or discovering true musical gems anyway. That role has always belonged to the specialized record store where you can buy physical media—primarily vinyl, but often CDs as well. That said, Record Store Day is especially focused on vinyl enthusiasts, a community that has grown significantly in recent years.
Record Store Day is about more than just shining a spotlight on record shops. It is also a day for exclusive and limited releases that are only available in physical stores. In addition, many shops host live performances by well-known artists in an intimate setting.
So mark April 18 clearly in your calendar—especially if you consider yourself a vinyl lover. The date applies worldwide, by the way.