Record Store Day is April 18

Record Store Day lands on Saturday, April 18, with exclusive vinyl releases and store-by-store events driving fans into independent shops instead of online carts. (recordstoreday.com) The official Record Store Day site says the 2026 special titles go on sale only at participating brick-and-mortar stores on April 18, and there are no pre-orders. Any unsold stock may go online starting Sunday, April 19, at individual stores’ discretion. (recordstoreday.com) This year’s release list is built around scarcity. Record Store Day divides titles into “Exclusive,” “First,” and “Small Run/Regional” categories, with some pressings under 1,000 copies and stores choosing for themselves which records to order. (recordstoreday.com) That setup turns the day into a local event as much as a retail drop. Record Store Day began after a 2007 gathering of independent store owners and employees, and the first edition was held on April 19, 2008. (recordstoreday.com) In the United Kingdom, Record Store Day UK says more than 280 shops will take part in its 19th edition on April 18, while its main site says more than 260 independent shops are participating this year. Both descriptions point to a nationwide program of exclusives and in-store events. (recordstoreday.co.uk 1) (recordstoreday.co.uk 2) Nashville stores are leaning hard into that event model. Nashville Scene reports plans at shops including Vinyl Tap, Third Man Records, Grimey’s and others, with special releases and day-of happenings tied to the April 18 drop. (nashvillescene.com) Vinyl Tap lists a Record Store Day program from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 18, with live performances on its backyard stage scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. The store calls its 2026 lineup “stacked” with artists and friends. (vinyltapnashville.com) Grimey’s has posted a 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. event for April 18 and says it expects to carry “the vast majority” of this year’s titles, while warning that all releases are limited. The store also says it will hand out cookies and swag, host voter-registration group HeadCount, and run giveaways tied to concerts and gear. (grimeys.com) London shops are planning the same kind of add-ons. Time Out London reports free vinyl giveaways, club nights and other store-specific deals across the city on April 18, while Record Store Day UK says many shops and cities will host artist performances and events. (timeout.com) (recordstoreday.co.uk) Store owners say the demand comes with extra work. In coverage from Tiki Vinyl Store in Lyon published by Yahoo and Euronews, owners described Record Store Day 2026 as labor-intensive but rewarding, with attention focused on limited titles and customers chasing specific picks. (yahoo.com) (euronews.com) The practical advice from organizers is simple: find a participating store, check what it actually ordered, and get there early on Saturday, April 18. Record Store Day’s own store finder warns that a listing does not mean a shop will have every release. (recordstoreday.com)