By Jim Carchidi
April 10, 2026
Print your checklist and set your alarm, Record Store Day is happening Saturday, April 18. The annual celebration of tangible media and brick-and-mortar culture is entering its 18th year with more than 350 exclusive releases.
Intro
Record Store Day underscores the relationship between independent music retailers and their communities while fostering a new generation of fans. The initiative sought to boost in-person sales during the rise of digital media and has grown into a global sensation highlighted by a unique selection of albums produced for the event.
The rules
Record Store Day rules are simple and strict:
- No preorders
- Purchases are made in person
- One copy per title, per person
Participating store owners also make an agreement to act in the spirit of the event by selling in-person without price gouging or holding products back for online sales.
Make a list
The list of releases is extensive and covers every genre. Shoppers are encouraged to make note of their favorites ahead of time to expedite the experience for everyone. A few highlights from the 2026 releases include:
Weezer, 1192: Compiled by founding member, Matt Sharp, the LP contains Weezer's very first studio sessions. Raw versions of the band's hit songs "Say It Ain’t So" and "Undone (The Sweater Song)" are included on the release, which is limited to 3,000 copies.
Joni Mitchell, For The Roses: Released in 1972, the album cover, drawn by Mitchell, was a commentary on the music business and featured roses flowing from a horse’s behind. The art was vetoed by the label but the special Record Store Day re-release, limited to only 3500 copies, includes the artwork with an LP pressed on rose-colored vinyl.
Bruce Springsteen & E Street Band Live from Asbury Park: The 5-LP set of the band’s three-hour performance at the 2024 Sea.Hear.Now festival in Asbury Park is limited to 6050 copies.
Positiva Presents: Elton John - The Remixes: A glow in the dark vinyl of selections from Elton John’s remix archive, released by Positiva Records. The LP includes "Cold Heart" with Dua Lipa, "Hold Me Closer" with Britney Spears, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" featuring RuPaul, and more. Limited to 7500 copies.
Different shops, different stocks
The following Orlando-area shops have made the Record Store Day agreement and are on the 2026 list of statewide participants:
Bynx: 420 East Church Street #118
Retro Records: 59 N. Bumby Ave.
Remix Record Shop: 1213 N. Mills Ave.
Rock & Roll Heaven: 1814 N. Orange Ave.
Park Ave. CDs: 2916 Corrine Dr.
Shopping experiences will be unique to each location. Not every store will order the full list of releases and allocations vary for each outlet due to the limited editions. In other words, it all depends on where you shop.
“We’re a small store so it’s first come, first served,” said Cliff Tangredi of Remix Record Shop. Doors open at 8 a.m. but limited releases will inspire early birds to wait in a queue that can stretch around the building. “It can get pretty long but once we open it dwindles down,” Tangredi said. “People know what they want, so they’re in and out pretty quickly.”
Remix is also ten years old on Record Store Day but no word on a special anniversary event.
Park Ave. CDs at 2916 Corrine Dr. is one of Orlando’s most popular record shops and big crowds are the norm. Shopping between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. is available through a time slot lottery that’s already sold out. Shopping hours for the general public are from 2 p.m.-11 p.m. and a merchandise menu can be downloaded from the store website and filled out prior to the event. Staff will gather items for payment to expedite the process.
Past Record Store Day events at Park Ave. CDs have featured coffee and food vendors and special t-shirt designs. Logistics are being worked out and shoppers are encouraged to check social media or call the store for updates. A sneak peek of event merchandise will be part of a preview party on Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m.
Liner notes
The full list of 2026 releases is available here and participating stores can be searched by zip code or by name here. If you have a favorite location, call to confirm store hours, additional events, and rules for the line. And remember: be patient and be kind. Nobody knows what inventory will be available until it arrives and quantities are very limited.
Additional information is available at recordstoreday.com.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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