9 must-visit record fairs coming Yorkshire this month - plus the best nearby record shops

While digital streaming might be the easiest way to hear a tune, nothing quite beats the physical hunt through the crates; that specific, meditative rhythm of flipping through hundreds of LPs in search of the one that’s been missing from your shelf for years.

Yorkshire has long been a stronghold for the vinyl revival, and this month the region is playing host to a rolling caravan of specialist traders and local legends.

From the echoing halls of our most historic indoor markets to the sleek, modern foyers of city-centre cinemas, the travelling circus of rare pressings and bargain bins is about to hit the road. It’s a chance to step away from the algorithm and actually hold the music in your hands before you buy it.

You probably already know the "usual suspects" that form the backbone of our local scene.

There’s the unmistakable atmosphere of Leeds’ most famous Victorian market, where the morning sun hits the glass roof as the first collectors of the day start their surgical sweep of the stalls.

Or the grand, circular charm of our city’s premier independent shopping exchange, which has become a monthly pilgrimage site for anyone looking for that "A-1 / B-1" matrix code holy grail.

But beyond the big city staples, February’s itinerary is taking us much further afield.

Whether it’s a shopping centre takeover in South Yorkshire or a coastal hall overlooking the North Sea, the map for the next four weeks is a collector’s dream.

We’ve pulled together the full list of where you need to be (and when) to make sure you don't miss a single beat of the Yorkshire vinyl trail this month.

What record fairs are coming to Yorkshire in February?

• February 14: Kirkgate Indoor Market, 34 George Street, Leeds, LS2 7HY (10am–4pm)
• February 14: Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, Eckington Way, Sheffield, S20 7PJ (9am–4pm)
• February 15: The Golden Lion Hotel, 114 High Street, Northallerton, DL7 8PP (9:30am–4pm)
• February 21: The Ridings Shopping Centre, Almshouse Lane, Wakefield, WF1 1DS (9am–4pm)
• February 21: The Moor Walk (outside The Light Cinema), Moor Walk, Sheffield, S1 4PA (10am–4pm)
• February 21: Saltburn Arts Community Hall, Windsor Road entrance, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1JW (10am–4pm)
• February 21: The Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7BR (10am–4pm)
• February 22: The Corn Exchange, Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7BR (10am–4pm)

What record stores can I also visit in each location to pass the time?

Looking to have a day of vinyl hunting and crate digging, either before or after heading to one of these fairs?

Here are a couple of record store recommendations in the areas highlighted in this month’s record fair calendar.

Leeds

• Jumbo Records: 1-3 Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8NG (Mon-Sat 9:30am-5:30pm, Sun 11am-5pm)
• Crash Records: 35 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 6PU (Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm)
• Relics Records: 53 New Briggate, Leeds LS2 8JD (Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm)

Sheffield

• Bear Tree Records: Unit 13-16, The Forum, 127 Devonshire Street, Sheffield S3 7SB (Tue-Sat 10am-5:30pm)
• Record Junkee: 7 Earl Street, Sheffield S1 3FP (Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 11am-5pm)
• Record Collector: 233-235 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3BA (Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm)

Wakefield

• Wah Wah Records: 12 Cross Square, Wakefield WF1 1PH (Mon-Sat 9:45am-4:30pm)
• Hellraiser Records: The Ridings Centre, Bishopgate Walk, Wakefield WF1 1DS (Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 10:30am-4:30pm)
• Criminal Records: 2 Park Street, Wakefield WF1 1NQ (Tue-Sat 11am-4pm)

Northallerton

• Betterdaze: 1 Zetland Street, Northallerton DL6 1NA (Mon-Sat 9:30am-4:30pm)

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

• Black Slab Records: 18 Milton St, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS12 1DG (Wed-Sat 10am-4pm)

Looking for a romantic Valentine’s Weekend getaway this month - possibly to make amends for spending a lot of money on vinyl? Check out some of our picks of the romantic locations you can fly to from Leeds Bradford Airport.