SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 18 & 19, 2026
THE EVENT WHEN RADIO GOES ALL VINYL, ALL WEEKEND
230+ Radio
Stations!
FAQ
WHAT IS THIS VINYLTHON THING ANYWAY?
What is Vinylthon?
Vinylthon is an annual event for radio stations across the USA and the world who want to celebrate the format of vinyl music by playing at least one hour of vinyl-only music on the two days. Many radio stations do more than one hour (some do up to 24 or 48!) but it's a fun day for both listeners and broadcasters alike. The event is a success because many people are still passionate about vinyl and broadcasting radio shows from only vinyl is an amazing experience for many of today's radio broadcasters. The event is also a fundraiser for our Next Step Radio Scholarships, awarded by the College Radio Foundation, a non-profit organization that organizes the Vinylthon event and gives scholarships to college students who want to work in radio. Vinylthon 2026 will be the 11th Vinylthon event.
When is Vinylthon taking place?
Vinylthon 2026 is taking place on Saturday, April 18, and Sunday April 19, 2026.
So Vinylthon is affiliated with Record Store Day?
Not officially. RSD has become a hugely successful event. Vinylthon is the radio industry's response to the remarkable vinyl renaissance that has occurred around the world. We remind audiences that radio still loves vinyl too and many stations never stopped playing it. RSD even supported our first ever Vinylthon:
Where is Vinylthon taking place?
Vinylthon is a special, annual on-air event at your radio station. Vinylthon was originally created for radio stations in the USA (originally just college radio stations) but is now celebrated worldwide.
What radio stations can participate?
Any radio station in the world can participate. Whether you are AM, FM, LPFM or online only - non-commercial or commercial - any station is welcome to participate. We will also list your station on this website.
Is it free to participate?
YES! Whether your station is commercial or non-commercialm, participation is completely free. This is a charity fundraising event, so we do want your help in our fundraiser for Next Step Radio scholarships.
What will my station actually do or have to do for this event?
At the very minimum we are asking stations to play a minimum of one hour of vinyl only on the days itself, April 18 & 19, 2026. Any station that participates will be presented with a Golden Slipmat Award for their outstanding efforts. The organizers of Vinylthon also provide free on-air imaging and content that you can play on the air if you like. There is typically a signature Vinylthon Radio Program that will feature a keynote interview with an artist or artists who support vinyl and the Vinylthon event. All on-air materials are provided ahead of the event for stations to preview and download as they wish.
Can we contribute material for this event?
Absolutely. If you score a great interview, then please share it with us and we will make sure that you get the credit for it. If you have other material or ideas then please contact us.
Can we also do our own thing for Vinylthon?
Yep. Whether you are doing a live remote or having competitions or games, interviews and special features, make this day yours and you'll find that your listeners will love it! If you wish to hold a fundraising drive for us, then that would also be brilliant! Cheers!
Is there merch available?
Aye. There is an official Vinylthon t-shirt that we sell to the public. Check out our official shop here.
Can I sponsor Vinylthon?
Absolutely. Please visit this page to find out more. We'd love to have you as a sponsor.
What if I have any questions not answered here?
Please contact us here, and we'll do our best to answer your questions.
Updated 12/12/25