Record Store Day 2026 - The List

DATE: Saturday, APRIL 18TH, 2026
Doors open @ 8:30AM but the line usually starts earlier! Plan accordingly.
LOCATION: Sudden Light Records - DOWNSTAIRS in Jockey's Ridge Crossing in Nags Head across from the big sand dune! This will be our first RSD in our new location which is directly downstairs from our old location.

REMEMBER: The line can start as early as midnight sometimes, earlier. There is a Taylor Swift offering this year which means every RSD store line is likely to be very long this year so plan accordingly.

THE LINE: We are very proud of the kind & genuinely awesome people in our line every year. Please bring a positive attitude & good vibe to the line - every year our customers almost always end up with at least 4-5 items (if not more) on their list as most are not standing in line for the same titles, so don't let the length worry you! No holding spots in line, no cutting, everyone will enter the shop as they lined up. No buying for a friend, no holding spots - please be respectful of the people who took the time to stand for long periods of time over your friend texting you to grab something.

If the line is intimidating or you cannot physically be out there, we get it. We recommend showing up around 9:30am-10am which is when the initial line has usually made it through and you can get in and out pretty easily.

NO RESELLERS. This is a National Event Rule. Every store who participates in this event - nationwide - is required to sign pledges not to price gauge, hold back inventory to sell online later, or sell knowingly to resellers. The entire purpose of RSD is to support your local, independent record store - the reseller economy is a deeply problematic capitalist problem that local record stores struggle with year round, year after year. If we even catch a whiff that you are there to flip our exclusive records online for more than what they are being sold at our shop we will ask you to NEVER return to our store. If you want your local record store to survive in your community - whether it's here or where you are from - please do not contribute to the reseller economy.

PRO TIPS: Bring a chair, blanket & and weather appropriate clothes. We will have hot beverages (tea & coffee) and a small offering of snacks for those doing the line overnight but you may want to bring your own goodies to hold you over! Make new friends & be respectful of those catching some ZZZZs while you're out there!

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