Record Store Day

Record Store Day History

Record Store Day seeks to promote and celebrate independently owned record stores. It hopes to bring vinyl enthusiasts together. This day focuses on independently owned stores whose product lines consist of at least 50% music retail. It considers those stores that receive their primary business from a physical store. Today, corporate and online retailers are making it increasingly difficult for the smaller independent locations to compete and so, Record Store Day aims to support these real, live, physical, indie record stores - not online retailers or corporate behemoths.

Record Store Day was created in 2007 when independent store owners came together to discuss the idea. It is observed annually on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of April. Each year, an official ambassador wears a ceremonial sash and promotes independently owned record stores (notable ambassadors include Metallica, Jesse Hughes, and Ozzy Osborne).

Top 8 Facts for Record Store Day in 2026

• Multiple high-profile artists are serving as figureheads for the event, with Bruno Mars designated as the official 2026 Ambassador and English soul-pop singer Olivia Dean appointed as the Global Ambassador.
• Fans of Taylor Swift can acquire an exclusive 7-inch disc of Elizabeth Taylor from her album The Life of a Showgirl, which features a unique violet glitter vinyl finish and a cabaret-style version of the track.
• For the first time, the official release of the long-mythologized "lost" album Look Outside Your Window will be available, a project recorded by members of Slipknot during the band's 2008 sessions for All Hope Is Gone.
• Bruno Mars is marking his ambassadorship with an exclusive compilation titled The Collaborations, which brings together his massive hits recorded with Lady Gaga, ROSÉ, and Mark Ronson.
• Technical vinyl innovations are a highlight of the year, including a liquid-filled 12-inch single for the Sleep Token track Caramel and a zoetrope picture disc of the Bluey album Up Here.
• Several landmark live recordings are making their vinyl debut, including Madonna's The Confessions Tour – Live From London, Steely Dan's Alive in America, and Blur's Live at the Budokan.
• Significant musical milestones being celebrated include the 75th anniversary of Miles Davis' debut as a leader with a special 10-inch pressing of The New Sounds and the 35th anniversary of the Pavement EP Perfect Sound Forever.
• This year marks the 19th annual celebration of independent record store culture since the movement's international launch in 2008.

In the News and Trending in the US for Record Store Day

Top things to do in the US for Record Store Day

• Enter a Record Story Day contest for a chance to win related prizes. Contest rules and entry are located on the Day's webpage while other contests are offered on social media pages controlled by Record Store Day.
• Attend a Vinyl Record Fair. Fairs are held all across the United States and in bordering regions of Canada. They feature collectable records, independent vendors, rare records and the ability to purchase other record types such as cassettes, CDs and even books.
• Watch a movie or documentary about record stores and their culture. Some of our favorites are: Empire Records (1995), 500 Days of Summer (2009), Nowhere Boy (2009) and Sound It Out (2011).
• Purchase records from your local independent record store. On Record Store Day, many stores have new releases or exclusive old records available for purchase. Some of the larger record stores even have visiting artists that can autograph your new purchase.
• In addition to purchasing records, purchase an official Record Store Day T-shirt, cap or bag to help the cause. The shirts have graphics and writing such as, I still buy records or record store day to help generate awareness for the day.