The Best Lego Advent Calendars of 2026 to Count Down to Christmas

Where else can you find rare versions of minifigs, like Mando and Grogu in ugly Christmas sweaters? This set comes with five different characters, along with a bunch of small vehicles to build, like a speeder bike, Mando’s N-1 Starfighter, and even an X-Wing in festive colors. There’s even Grogu’s hoverpram to go along with a few lore-accurate accessories.Spider-Man is on skis here, which is enough of a selling point for us. It also has six holiday-themed minifigs, including Doctor Doom and Wolverine, and fun builds like a snowball cannon and an X-jet-themed sleigh. There's even a Captain America-inspired snowman, which you definitely don’t see every day.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you want more traditional holiday characters, like Santa and the missus, this set is the way to go. It has characters that can fit into any of your existing Lego City sets, making your own growing village look more festive. The included trio of elves, a snowman, and a baby reindeer are also a nice touch. It’s easy to build, cheap enough for a pre-Christmas gift, and can double as an inexpensive holiday display for the whole family.The Lego Harry Potter universe is constantly expanding, and new pieces like these holiday-themed ones only make Hogwarts seem more real. While the 2026 version hasn’t dropped, there are still ways to get last year’s set. We love the festivity here, especially when it comes to the Harry Potter, Cho Chang, and Draco Malfoy minifigs. It comes with eight minifigs in total, as well as 10 mini-builds and six magical creatures, there’s 24 days of full-on magic.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowFor ages 6 and up, this Lego Friends set features slightly larger figures than your traditional minifigs. This box includes three minidolls and six mini animals, like a cool seal, a pony, a polar bear, and more. There are also designated activities for each day, including snowball throwing, sleigh rides, and building your own snowman.This set features Disney faves like Ariel, Sebastian, Cinderella, Gus, Moana, Pua, Mulan, and Mushu. There are also interactive elements, like a piano, a cozy campfire, and even a gingerbread castle for the whole crew. Plus, the entire thing doubles as a game board, where you can expand the fun to eight players.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowLooking for an Advent calendar alternative? These little ornaments can be done once a week in the month leading up to Christmas—or all in an afternoon. The flat characters are meant to be hung on your tree when done, and you can reuse them each year.Who doesn’t love a good puzzle? If you want to change up what they’re building this year, a puzzle is always a solid, kid-friendly alternative. This one comes with 12 mini puzzles in total, as well as a full-color printout of the puzzle images to point them in the right direction.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you already have a Lego gift wrapped and ready to go for the big day, it’s understandable if opening little bricks before the reveal would feel like spoiling your bigger present. Instead, for the Lego fan in your family itching for a way to count down to Christmas, this activity book offers 24 days of puzzles and games (16 per day) to keep creative minds chugging along all through December.Angel Madison is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines with over 25 years of editorial experience. She writes about parenting, toys, plus-size fashion, sneakers, and more for brands like Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Prevention, and Esquire. Before her time at Hearst, Angel worked as a parenting editor for New Jersey Family and covered entertainment for NBC Universal, AOL, and TV Guide. When she’s not testing the latest footwear trends, adding to her collection of over 100 LEGO sets, or scouting for the hottest new toys, you can find Angel walking long distances (either in the woods or in New York City) and spending time with her daughter.Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner's World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.