diff --git a/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.18.rst b/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.18.rst
index 33d28442fbf..2c2a1fb3d49 100644
--- a/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.18.rst
+++ b/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.18.rst
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ ansible-core 2.18 "Fool in the Rain" Release Notes
 
 .. contents:: Topics
 
-v2.18.1rc1
-==========
+v2.18.1
+=======
 
 Release Summary
 ---------------
 
-| Release Date: 2024-11-25
+| Release Date: 2024-12-02
 | `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.18/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.18.html>`__
 
 Minor Changes
diff --git a/changelogs/changelog.yaml b/changelogs/changelog.yaml
index c0795dec2fb..6717492d050 100644
--- a/changelogs/changelog.yaml
+++ b/changelogs/changelog.yaml
@@ -612,6 +612,17 @@ releases:
     - cve-2024-8775.yml
     - user_ssh_fix.yml
     release_date: '2024-10-29'
+  2.18.1:
+    changes:
+      release_summary: '| Release Date: 2024-12-02
+
+        | `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.18/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.18.html>`__
+
+        '
+    codename: Fool in the Rain
+    fragments:
+    - 2.18.1_summary.yaml
+    release_date: '2024-12-02'
   2.18.1rc1:
     changes:
       bugfixes:
diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/2.18.1_summary.yaml b/changelogs/fragments/2.18.1_summary.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7e8636a4830
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/2.18.1_summary.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+release_summary: |
+   | Release Date: 2024-12-02
+   | `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.18/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.18.html>`__
diff --git a/lib/ansible/release.py b/lib/ansible/release.py
index bda6eb1fdb7..122a9f03fb5 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/release.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/release.py
@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-__version__ = '2.18.1rc1.post0'
+__version__ = '2.18.1'
 __author__ = 'Ansible, Inc.'
 __codename__ = "Fool in the Rain"