National Album Day is run jointly by the BPI and ERA – the digital entertainment retail association, and is supported by record labels, record stores, digital platforms, and the wider music community, including AIM and PPL.

Typically taking place on the middle Saturday in October (and with a week-plus build up), the event was launched in 2018. Its aim is to celebrate the ‘art of the album’; encourage album listening and purchasing, including among younger fans; and recognise the continuing importance of the format in today’s music ecosystem – providing a platform for artists to tell their authentic stories.

The event each year adopts a different theme – in the past seven editions this has ranged from 'The Eighties’, and ‘Debut Albums’, to ‘Groups’, and ‘Albums by Women’.  The theme for 2025, which takes place on 18th October, is ‘Rock’.

As artists have the most powerful voices, Album Champions are invited to take part and advocate for the day and its goals via press, socials and events. Past champions have included Alex Kapranos, Billy Bragg, Jake Bugg, Jazzie B, Joy Crookes, KSI, Kylie, Laura Mvula, Lewis Capaldi, Sharleen Spiteri, and Shola Ama, among others. 

To support the day – both culturally and commercially, record labels reissue or release albums that tie in with the theme (often also aligned with album anniversaries), and retail stores and digital platform promote and merchandise these titles accordingly, with POS and graphics that are supplied. Artist events, including album signings and Q&As, are held in record stores, such as Rough Trade or HMV, or with engaging album platforms, include Classic Album Sundays and Pitchblack-Playback.

The event’s success is underpinned by a press & PR campaign (managed for NAD by DawBell), and the support of official broadcast partner, BBC Radio 2, who typically commit to a ‘schedule takeover’ on the day and, in partnership with the Official Charts Company, broadcast a rundown of the biggest-selling albums in line with the theme.

how to get involved