LEGO Advent Calendars: Compare This Year’s Christmas Gifts
LEGO Advent calendars are a tradition in our house. Our kids love opening a small toy, figure, or tiny build each night leading up to Christmas, and we have collected several calendars over the past decade. If you are choosing one as an early Christmas gift, start with the theme your child enjoys and the age guidance on the box.
This year’s LEGO Advent calendar options include City, Star Wars, Marvel, Disney Princess, and Friends. Below, compare the themes, recommended ages, and set numbers so you can find the right edition when shopping. These recommendations are based on LEGO’s current product information and our family’s experience with the Advent calendar tradition; we have not personally tested every calendar listed.
Which LEGO Advent Calendar Should You Choose?
For a traditional Christmas scene, start with City. For a favorite franchise, compare Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney Princess. For animal figures and winter storytelling, consider Friends. Adults and teens may also enjoy a favorite theme, even though the suggested ages on the boxes begin at 5 or 6.
| Calendar | Recommended age | Pieces | Set number | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEGO City Advent Calendar | 5+ | 252 | 60510 | Christmas scenes and everyday imaginative play |
| LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar | 6+ | 293 | 75456 | The Mandalorian and Star Wars fans |
| LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar | 6+ | 317 | 76340 | Super Hero fans and minifigure play |
| LEGO Disney Princess Advent Calendar | 5+ | 290 | 43298 | Disney Princess stories and shared play |
| LEGO Friends Advent Calendar | 6+ | 211 | 42698 | Animal lovers and LEGO Friends storytelling |
The set number is the easiest way to distinguish this year’s edition from an older calendar. Packaging and product listings may include a year even though this guide keeps its title evergreen. Confirm that the listing matches the set number below.
LEGO City Advent Calendar
Recommended age: 5+ | Pieces: 252 | Set number: 60510
Choose City for a child who likes holiday scenes and open-ended play more than a particular movie franchise. This year’s calendar builds toward a festive scene with seasonal characters and small models. The daily surprises can become part of a growing Christmas display or join other LEGO City toys.
Its 5+ age recommendation makes it one of the younger options in this comparison. Check the package’s small-parts guidance and consider whether your child needs help with the daily builds.
LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar
Recommended age: 6+ | Pieces: 293 | Set number: 75456
This year’s Star Wars calendar focuses on The Mandalorian, with holiday versions of familiar characters and miniature builds inspired by that world. It is the most natural match here for a child, teen, or adult who already enjoys Mando and Grogu.
Choose it for the theme rather than expecting a full-size spacecraft behind each door. Advent calendars contain small daily surprises; check the retailer’s photos if you want to see the contents before buying.
LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar
Recommended age: 6+ | Pieces: 317 | Set number: 76340
For a Marvel fan, this year’s calendar combines seasonal Super Hero characters with small vehicles and holiday builds. Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, and Wolverine appear with festive details, giving a child who enjoys character play a different Christmas countdown from a traditional Santa scene.
The piece count is higher than the other calendars listed here, but that alone does not make it the best choice. A favorite theme matters more than a few extra pieces. Compare the seller and delivery date before ordering.
LEGO Disney Princess Advent Calendar
Recommended age: 5+ | Pieces: 290 | Set number: 43298
This year’s Disney Princess calendar features Ariel, Cinderella, Moana, and Mulan with their animal companions. Its packaging becomes a game board, with a buildable spinner adding a way to play together after opening the surprises.
This set uses small Disney microdoll characters rather than standard LEGO minifigures. Check the photos if the recipient collects a particular figure style. The 5+ recommendation is another useful point of comparison for younger builders.
LEGO Friends Advent Calendar
Recommended age: 6+ | Pieces: 211 | Set number: 42698
This year’s LEGO Friends calendar creates a winter scene with Nova, Liann, and Aliya and six small animal figures, including a seal, pony, weasel, polar bear, penguin, and bunny. It is a useful option for a child who enjoys animals and making up stories with LEGO Friends characters.
Friends uses minidolls, so choose this theme when that character style suits the recipient’s existing collection. The smaller piece count does not mean it lacks play value; focus on the characters and activities the child will enjoy.
What Is Inside a LEGO Advent Calendar?
A LEGO Advent calendar is a Christmas countdown with 24 daily surprises. Depending on the theme, a door may contain a character, an accessory, or a small build. It is a series of miniature building activities rather than 24 full-size LEGO sets.
Contents change between editions, so use the current product photos to check the theme and figure style. If you want to preserve the surprise, an adult can review the contents before gifting without showing them to the recipient.
When Should You Start a LEGO Advent Calendar?
The usual countdown starts on December 1, with one door opened each day through December 24. Give the calendar before December begins if you want the recipient to follow that schedule. If it arrives later, you can catch up with a few doors together or use it as a holiday building activity.
Are LEGO Advent Calendars Worth It?
For our family, the appeal is the daily ritual and the little builds that remain after Christmas. A calendar can be a good fit for a child who enjoys short building sessions and collecting characters. If the recipient would prefer one larger project, compare the calendar’s current price with a regular LEGO set in their favorite theme.
Choose based on the recipient’s interests, not simply the largest piece count. Two calendars with similar prices may offer very different characters and play experiences.
How to Shop for This Year’s LEGO Advent Calendars
- Match the set number. Older editions can appear alongside current calendars in search results.
- Check the recommended age. These small-piece sets are not a substitute for a toddler building toy.
- Compare the total cost. Include shipping and avoid assuming an advertised discount is the best available offer.
- Review the seller and condition. For a daily surprise gift, an unopened calendar is usually the simplest choice.
- Check the delivery estimate. Plan for arrival before December 1 if you want to open one door a day.
For the current lineup and official product information, visit LEGO’s Advent calendar collection. Our comparison summarizes the linked manufacturer descriptions without promising current retailer stock or a particular sale price.
More Holiday Gift Ideas
Shopping for an older child? Explore our 18+ LEGO gift guide, LEGO gifts for teens, gift guide for teen girls, and book gift guide for tweens for more ideas based on their interests.
