San Antonio, TX, November 29, 2025

Music lovers in San Antonio lined up outside local record stores on Thanksgiving evening for Black Friday vinyl releases. Many arrived early to secure exclusive limited-edition records from renowned artists. The event exemplifies support for local businesses and showcases the enduring popularity of vinyl among both collectors and casual listeners. This annual celebration underpins the community’s investment in independent record stores while revitalizing the local economy and music culture.

San Antonio, TX: Music Fans Camp Out for Black Friday Vinyl Releases

Music enthusiasts in San Antonio eagerly awaited Black Friday to secure exclusive vinyl releases, with some fans arriving as early as 6:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day to line up outside local record stores. This annual event showcases the resilience of local businesses and highlights the growing demand for vinyl among collectors and new listeners alike.

Exclusive Releases Draw Large Crowds

This year’s Record Store Day Black Friday featured a variety of limited-edition vinyl records, including:

• Creed’s “Live in San Antonio”: A 2-LP metallic silver vinyl edition capturing the band’s 1999 performance at the Freeman Coliseum.
• Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”: A special pop-up gatefold edition celebrating the album’s 60th anniversary.
• Billie Eilish’s Live Recordings: Live recordings from her Amazon Songline performance, available on physical formats for the first time.
• Bruno Mars’ Debut EP: “It’s Better If You Don’t Understand” released on vinyl for the first time.
• Chappell Roan’s 7″ Vinyl: Featuring “The Subway” and “The Giver” on separate sides.

Record Store Day Black Friday: A Tradition of Supporting Independent Stores

Record Store Day Black Friday is an annual event established to celebrate the culture of independently owned record stores. Held on the day after Thanksgiving, it brings together fans, artists, and thousands of independent record stores worldwide. The event features exclusive vinyl releases, live music, and special promotions, aiming to support and sustain the independent record store community.

Local Record Stores Participate in Black Friday Event

Several San Antonio record stores participated in the Black Friday event, offering exclusive releases and special promotions. For instance, Del Bravo Record Shop hosted the RSD Black Friday 2025 event, featuring exclusive vinyl drops, special promotions, and an impressive lineup of titles. Such participation underscores the importance of local businesses in fostering community engagement and driving economic activity.

Background on Record Store Day

Record Store Day is a semi-annual event established in 2008 to celebrate the culture of independently owned record stores. Held on one Saturday every April and every Black Friday in November, the day brings together fans, artists, and thousands of independent record stores around the world. A number of records are pressed specifically for Record Store Day, with a list of releases for each country, and are only distributed to shops participating in the event.

Why Supporting Local Matters

The surge in vinyl sales and the long lines outside stores illustrate a positive trend for Bexar County’s economy, emphasizing the growing importance of community investment and local entrepreneurship. As local record stores thrive during events like Record Store Day, they contribute to a vibrant music scene, stimulate job creation, and catalyze economic growth – all essential components of a balanced economy. Encouraging consumer support for these businesses can lead to more stability and innovation in the future.

Conclusion

San Antonio’s Black Friday vinyl rush is not just a music event; it signifies a broader movement of community support and local business resilience. Residents eager for unique music finds showed appreciation for their local record stores, demonstrating that when communities rally behind small businesses, everyone wins. Residents are encouraged to continue supporting our city’s entrepreneurs and stay engaged in our local economic future.

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Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER

The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.