What to KnowVinylCon!Aug. 22 and 23, 2026California Market Center$12.45 and up

Side 1, side 2, the hidden song at the end of side 2, the quirky font of the liner notes, the band’s heartfelt thank yous and shout-outs printed on the back, the hard-to-find Easter eggs hidden within the inside photo… an album is a feast for the mind, an art-strong experience, and a path for making memories, one riff at a time.

Even if you’ve picked up a record that is outside of your favorite genre, you’re likely on some sort of life-enhancing, mind-growing journey.

But first step of that joyful trip into the soundful soul is immersing yourself in a host of albums, from a lengthy run of decades, with dozens of record-knowing pros on-hand to answer questions and offer creative guidance.

VinylCon! has those pros and an array of albums, all to give record mavens the chance to dip into different aural universes, and musical stories, again and again.

The weekend-long event is back at the California Market Center on Aug. 22 and 23 and tickets are available for purchase.

The sizable venue map tells the expansive tale: There are a bevy of record stores and vinyl outfits set to attend, with dealers hailing from all over. SloLow Records from Albuquerque, Sundae Soul of Oakland, and San Diego’s Strictly Retro will be there, along with a bevy of places from around Los Angeles and neighboring Southern California communities.

It’s a “music collector’s daydream come to life,” an event that will also highlight “music memorabilia and ephemera” beyond traditional vinyl.

But if you are seeking a new-to-you album, or two, or lots more, the genres will be well-covered: New wave will be for sale, and blues, and disco, too, and all sorts of subs and alts and everything-you-can-dream-ofs.

DJs, too, will perform throughout both days, to keep the flow and groove feeling especially robust.

Late August is always a portal to a new stretch of time, with fall, the start of school, and (sort of) cooler temps ahead. Perhaps a new album, or artist, will suit the mood of this particular era, giving you a novel soundtrack that will always remind you of this specific corner of your life.

We’re ready to fall into some lively liner notes, some clever interior photos, and a hidden track on side 2. VinylCon!, one of the biggest album-ramas of the calendar, can help us revel in all sorts of records, both known and new.