Another day, another holiday. This time, we're celebrating vinyls—and it's happening all around the country. Here's what you should know.
What is Record Store Day?
A semi-annual event, held on a Saturday in April, as well as Black Friday in November, Record Store Day pays tribute to independent record and music stores, including the staff, the artists and the loyal customers.
Record Store Day, founded in 2007 by Baltimore-based independent record store owners Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Brian Poehner, and Don Van Cleave, is now an international day of recognition. Every year, cities worldwide celebrate in kind, bringing together artists and enthusiasts for various events. The first of this year’s events will be held on April 12.
Special releases and exclusives to look out for
The big ambassador of Record Store Day 2025 is none other than Post Malone, and his album, Post Malone Tribute to Nirvana, is one of 300-plus titles to be released on April 12. “We love hitting local shops when we’re on the road, seeing all the crazy artwork, the whole energy in a record store is just super inspiring. I feel at home,” he said in an official statement on the Record Store Day website.
Other special releases and exclusives coming to a Record Store Day near you include:
Live on Tour 1993 by Rage Against the Machine
"Guess" by Charli XCX featuring Billie Eilish
Wicked: The Soundtrack
Demon Days Live From the Apollo Theater by Gorillaz
"Fortnight" by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
A full list of special releases and exclusives can be found on the Record Store Day website here.
Top record shops around the country participating in Record Store Day 2025
Indeed, Record Store Day is celebrated globally, with many independent stores participating and offering exclusive events. New York is known as a city that loves a good beat. Participating record shops include Generation Records, Academy Record Annex, and Captured Tracks. Rough Trade and Rockefeller Center are putting on their fourth annual iNDIEPLAZA, with musical performances running from noon to 8pm.
In Los Angeles, Going Underground in Little Tokyo, Sick City Records on Sunset Boulevard, and Cosmic Vinyl in Echo Park will all participate in Record Store Day 2025. The Record Parlour in Hollywood will host live music, food and drink specials for the weekend, and an open bar from 6–8pm on April 12.
In Chicago, 606 Records, Gramophone Records, and Reckless Records, the largest record store retailer in the Windy City, will all offer exclusives in their stores. Record Breakers in the South Loop will also be hosting free live musical performances beginning at noon.
See what your local vinyl shop is doing for Record Store Day here.