York's biggest record fair returns on 1 November

If you spend your weekends hunting through crates for that one elusive press, mark Sunday 1 November in your calendar. The York Record Fair is back at York Racecourse, and it is not a small affair: it bills itself as the UK's largest record fair and one of the biggest vinyl events in the north. It runs from 10:00 to 17:00, so there is plenty of time to settle in for a proper dig.

The scale is what sets it apart. The fair takes over two floors of the Knavesmire Stand exhibition space, with more than 70 specialist sellers bringing something in the region of 200,000 records. That is a lot of ground to cover, and the two-floor layout means you can treat it as two separate hunts rather than one long slog. Whether you are after a specific album or just happy to see what turns up, the sheer volume of stock is the real draw here.

On genres, it is hard to find something that is not covered. Rock, soul, punk, prog, indie, reggae, metal, electronic, jazz and classical all have their place, so you are as likely to walk away with a rare prog epic as a clean jazz press or a stack of punk 7 inches. It is not all vinyl either: collectable CDs, 78s, music-related books, ephemera and posters are all part of the mix, which makes it worth a look even if you have already filled your shelves at home.

Getting in is cheap, which is half the appeal. Admission is £3 on the door, and it is free for under-16s, so it is an easy one to bring the whole family along to. The organisers describe it as family-friendly and suitable for all ages, which is a nice touch for a hobby that can sometimes feel like a solitary pursuit. If you are driving, there is free parking on site, and if you are coming in by train, the venue is roughly a 30-minute walk from York Railway Station, with buses and taxis running frequently in between.

It is worth knowing that this is not a one-off. The York Record Fair is a bi-annual fixture that first launched in 2022, and the November 2026 edition is being billed as its biggest yet, so it is shaping up to be the one to catch if you have been meaning to go. If you want to plan ahead or have a specific question before you travel, the organisers can be reached on 07896 713988 or at info@pitch22.co.uk.

For anyone who takes their record collecting seriously, a fair of this size is rare enough. With 200,000 records spread across two floors, it is the kind of place where you can genuinely lose a few hours and still come out with something you were not even looking for. Whether you are a seasoned collector or just starting to build a collection, it is a day well spent. Just remember to leave some room in your bag for the haul.