The short answer
The best advent calendar for 2026 depends on who opens it. For kids, the LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026 is the safest pick; for beauty fans, the e.l.f. 24-Day Advent Calendar gives 18 full-size products for $95; and for food lovers, the Bonne Maman 2026 calendar is back with 24 mini jars. Most calendars start on December 1, and Advent itself begins on Sunday, November 29, 2026.
- Best for kids: LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026 (set 60510), with four more LEGO calendars for Star Wars, Marvel, Disney and Friends fans
- Best beauty value: e.l.f. Express Your e.l.f. 24-Day Advent Calendar ($95 list price, $153 stated value)
- Best food pick: Bonne Maman 2026 Limited Edition Advent Calendar ($55.99, 24 mini spreads)
- Best advent calendar for adults: In Good Taste 2026 Wine Advent Calendar or the Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2026
- When to buy: now; the popular 2026 calendars launched between July and September, and several already show low stock
Nov 29
Advent Sunday 2026
Dec 1
Day one on most calendars
5
LEGO calendars for 2026
Sept 1
LEGO 2026 launch date
Last checked: October 14, 2026. We confirmed every calendar below on the brand or retailer page that sells it. Prices are brand list prices or retailer prices on that date and can change or sell out at any time.
In this article
An advent calendar is a countdown calendar with 24 or 25 small doors, boxes or drawers, one for each day from December 1 to Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The tradition began as a way to count down the Christian season of Advent, but today an advent calendar can hold anything from LEGO minifigures to whiskey samples. So, if you want one for 2026, the trick is to buy early, because the best editions sell out long before December. For the full holiday timeline, start with our Christmas 2026 guide.
Below, you will find our picks by category, a quick comparison table, the 2026 launch dates we could verify, and simple tips for choosing an advent calendar that is actually worth the money. We only included 2026 editions that a brand or retailer page confirms, so you will not find last year’s calendars passed off as new.
What Is an Advent Calendar and When Does It Start?
An advent calendar counts down the days to Christmas, and most store-bought versions run from December 1 to December 24. Advent itself is the four-week season before Christmas in the Christian calendar, so the two dates do not always match.
In 2026, the first Sunday of Advent falls on November 29, according to the Catholic prayer app Hallow. The four Sundays are November 29, December 6, December 13 and December 20. However, almost every commercial advent calendar ignores the moving Sunday date and simply starts on December 1. That makes planning easy: have your calendar unpacked and in place by November 30.
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent starts on Sunday, November 29, 2026, and ends on Thursday, December 24. Because Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday, Advent this year runs just under four full weeks. Meanwhile, your advent calendar door number one opens on Tuesday, December 1.
24 days, 25 days or 12 days?
Most calendars have 24 doors and end on Christmas Eve. Some, like the Dandelion Chocolate 2026 calendar, include 25 so the last treat lands on Christmas Day. Also, a growing number of beauty and wine sets use a 12-day format, which costs less and suits people who only want a short countdown.
Best Advent Calendars 2026 at a Glance
Here are the 2026 calendars we confirmed, sorted by who they suit best. First, scan the table; then jump to the category sections for details and buying links.
| Calendar (2026 edition) | Best for | Days | Price checked | Where we confirmed it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026 (60510) | Kids 5 and up | 24 | $$ ($25–$75) | LEGO set trackers |
| LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456) | Star Wars fans | 24 | $$ ($25–$75) | LEGO set trackers |
| Hot Wheels 2026 Advent Calendar | Preschoolers, car fans | 24 | $$ ($25–$75) | Well.ca |
| e.l.f. Express Your e.l.f. 24-Day | Beauty on a budget | 24 | $95 list price | elfcosmetics.com |
| Revolution Beauty Advent Calendar 2026 | Makeup beginners | 24 | $65 | Ulta Beauty |
| Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wonderland | Luxury makeup | 15 | $220 list price | charlottetilbury.com |
| Best of Dermstore: 24 Days of Beauty | Skincare fans | 24 | $250 | dermstore.com |
| Bonne Maman 2026 Limited Edition | Breakfast lovers | 24 | $55.99 list price | bonnemaman.us |
| Walker’s Shortbread 2026 Limited Edition | Cookie lovers | 24 | $31.99 list price | Walker’s US store |
| Dandelion Chocolate 2026 Advent Calendar | Chocolate splurge | 25 | $205 list price | dandelionchocolate.com |
| Fresh Roasted Coffee 2026 Advent Calendar | Keurig owners | 24 | $34.99 list price | freshroastedcoffee.com |
| In Good Taste 2026 Wine Advent Calendar | Wine lovers 21+ | 24 | $139.99 | ingoodtaste.com |
| Just Enough Wines Holiday Wine Advent Calendar | Canned-wine fans 21+ | 12 | $124.99 | justenoughwines.com |
| Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2026 | Whiskey fans 21+ | 24 | $270 list price | flaviar.com |
What Are the Best Advent Calendars for Kids?
The best advent calendars for kids in 2026 are the LEGO lineup and the Hot Wheels calendar, because each day adds a small toy that builds into a bigger play scene. Plus, both brands confirmed new 2026 editions with fresh figures, so kids who had last year’s version still get something new.
LEGO advent calendar 2026: all five sets
LEGO released five advent calendars for 2026, and all of them went on sale September 1, 2026, according to the fan site Stonewars. The fan site Brickset first revealed the lineup in May. Notably, there is no Harry Potter or Minecraft calendar this year.
| LEGO set | Number | Pieces | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Advent Calendar 2026 | 60510 | 252 | Santa’s elf workshop, elves, a snowman and a reindeer calf |
| Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 | 75456 | 293 | The Mandalorian theme with Grogu, Mando, Moff Gideon and IG-11 |
| Marvel Advent Calendar 2026 | 76340 | 317 | Doctor Doom, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Wolverine minifigures |
| Disney Advent Calendar 2026 | 43298 | 290 | Micro-dolls of Ariel, Mulan, Cinderella and Moana with animal friends |
| Friends Advent Calendar 2026 | 42698 | 211 | Three mini-dolls and six mini animals |
1. LEGO City 2026 (60510) — Best overall for kids
If you only buy one kids’ advent calendar, make it this one. The City set has the broadest appeal, the lowest price tier of the five, and a Christmas workshop story that works for younger builders. Meanwhile, older kids who love a franchise will get more out of the Star Wars or Marvel calendars.
- Set number: 60510, 252 pieces
- Budget band: $$ ($25–$75); licensed LEGO calendars cost about $10 more than City and Friends
- Launch: September 1, 2026
- Shop: Check LEGO advent calendars on Amazon
2. Hot Wheels 2026 — Best for little car fans
This is the easy win for preschoolers. Behind 24 doors, kids find 10 die-cast cars, 10 ornament clips and 14 winter accessories, so the cars can hang on the tree. In addition, one car is an exclusive snow globe model with a Yeti driver, according to Well.ca.
- Contents: 34 pieces, including 10 1:64-scale vehicles
- Ages: 3 and up
- Budget band: $$ ($25–$75)
- Shop: Check Hot Wheels advent calendars on Amazon
Pro tip. Buy a LEGO advent calendar for each child rather than one to share. Siblings fighting over whose turn it is to open a door can undo the fun quickly, and each LEGO set builds its own small scene anyway.
Best Beauty Advent Calendars 2026
The best beauty advent calendar for 2026 on a budget is the e.l.f. 24-Day calendar, while Charlotte Tilbury and Dermstore lead the luxury end. However, a high stated value only helps if you will actually use the products, so check the contents list before you buy.
3. e.l.f. Express Your e.l.f. 24-Day — Best beauty value
e.l.f. calls this a brand-new calendar for 2026, and the math is hard to beat. You get 18 full-size products and six minis, plus two exclusive shades you cannot buy anywhere else. Also, the box itself is black-and-white line art you can color in, which makes it a fun pick for teens.
- List price: $95 on elfcosmetics.com
- Stated value: $153
- Exclusives: Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm in Apple Crisp and Smoky Kohl Eyeliner in Pretty Penny
- Good to know: cruelty-free and vegan, according to the brand
4. Revolution Beauty 2026 — Best for makeup beginners
Revolution’s 2026 calendar mixes 10 full-size products, eight minis and six beauty accessories, which is enough for a complete makeup look. So, it is a smart first beauty calendar for a teen or anyone building a makeup kit.
- Price: $65 at Ulta Beauty (online only)
- Stated value: $135
- Days: 24
5. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wonderland — Best luxury makeup calendar
This 2026 edition holds 15 surprises rather than 24, but it focuses on bigger items, including full-size icons, a makeup bag and a gua sha tool. Therefore, it suits someone who already loves the brand rather than someone who wants daily variety.
- List price: $220 on charlottetilbury.com
- Stated value: $400
- Days: 15 surprises
6. Best of Dermstore: 24 Days of Beauty — Best for skincare
Dermstore packs 24 products from brands such as Augustinus Bader, Paula’s Choice, Dermalogica, EltaMD and Elemis into one box. In fact, the stated value of $1,147 is more than four times the price, and the page notes it is HSA/FSA eligible.
- Price: $250 on dermstore.com
- Stated value: $1,147
- Best for: skincare fans who want to test premium brands
Want to compare more options? Browse beauty advent calendars on Amazon; just confirm the listing says 2026 before you buy.
Watch out. A beauty calendar’s stated value adds up full retail prices, including sample sizes. That figure is marketing, not resale value, so compare it with what you would really buy.
Best Food, Chocolate and Coffee Advent Calendars
For food lovers, the Bonne Maman 2026 calendar is the classic pick, and Walker’s Shortbread is the best value. Then, for a true splurge, Dandelion Chocolate’s 2026 calendar brings together confections from 24 chocolatiers.
7. Bonne Maman 2026 Limited Edition — Best food pick
This is the 10th year of the Bonne Maman calendar, and the 2026 edition has new packaging plus limited-edition flavors such as Strawberry with Madagascar Vanilla and Caramel with Salted Butter. Each of the 24 mini boxes holds a small jar of jam or spread. However, the brand limits orders to three calendars and ships only within the United States.
- List price: $55.99 on bonnemaman.us
- Contents: 24 mini jars of spreads
- Shop: Check Bonne Maman advent calendar on Amazon
8. Walker’s Shortbread 2026 Limited Edition — Best budget food calendar
Walker’s 2026 calendar has a new snowy-village design and 24 individually wrapped shortbreads, including fingers, hearts, chocolate chip minis and salted caramel squares. Plus, the brand says the shortbread is baked in Scotland and certified kosher.
- List price: $31.99 on Walker’s US store
- Contents: 24 shortbreads, 10.4 oz total
- Shop: Check Walker’s advent calendar on Amazon
9. Dandelion Chocolate 2026 — Best luxury chocolate
The San Francisco chocolate maker sells this one by pre-order only. It includes 25 confections from 24 chocolatiers in ornament boxes illustrated by Danish artist Lisa Grue, plus a storybook of Nordic tales. Since it ships in November, order soon if you want it for December 1.
- List price: $205 (Calendar for One) or $335 (Calendar for Two) on dandelionchocolate.com
- Days: 25
10. Fresh Roasted Coffee 2026 — Best for coffee
This gift box holds 24 K-Cup compatible pods, from Peppermint Mocha and Gingerbread to single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. As a result, it doubles as a tasting tour for anyone who owns a Keurig-style brewer.
- List price: $34.99 on freshroastedcoffee.com
- Compatible with: most K-Cup brewers
- More options: coffee advent calendars on Amazon and tea advent calendars on Amazon
Prefer classic chocolate? Chocolate advent calendars on Amazon range from simple drugstore-style boxes to premium brands, so check the year and the expiry date on the listing.
Best Advent Calendars for Adults: Wine and Whiskey
The best advent calendars for adults who drink are wine and whiskey calendars, and three strong 2026 editions are already shipping or on pre-order. Remember, though, that every one of them requires a buyer and recipient aged 21 or over, and some states block delivery.
11. In Good Taste 2026 Wine — Best for wine lovers
This calendar packs 24 wines in 187ml glass bottles, which is just over six ounces each. So, it works like a 24-day tasting tour. The brand says calendars ship by the end of October 2026 and need an adult signature at delivery.
- Price: $139.99 (down from $154.99) on ingoodtaste.com
- Stock note: the page showed an Out of Stock label on October 14
12. Just Enough Wines Holiday Wine — Best 12-day wine calendar
If 24 bottles feels like too much, this 12-can set offers wines in 250ml cans plus two non-alcoholic options. In addition, it ships nationwide starting in October 2026, according to the brand.
- Price: $124.99 on justenoughwines.com
- Days: 12
13. Flaviar Whiskey 2026 — Best for whiskey fans
Flaviar’s 2026 Museum of Flaviar calendar holds 24 whiskeys in 50ml vials, two Glencairn glasses and a tasting booklet. However, it cannot ship to Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, South Dakota, Utah or West Virginia, and the brand says to order by November 15 for arrival by December 1.
- List price: $270 on the product page; see flaviar.com for current offers
- Contents: 24 x 50ml whiskey samples
Not a drinker? Other advent calendars for adults include puzzle calendars, candle sets and tea sampler boxes. For example, puzzle advent calendars on Amazon build one larger jigsaw over 24 days.
Reusable, DIY and Pet Advent Calendar Ideas
A reusable advent calendar lets you fill your own 24 pockets or drawers every year, so it often costs less over time than a new pre-filled box. In addition, you control exactly what goes inside, which helps with allergies, picky eaters and tight budgets.
What is a reusable advent calendar?
It is an empty wooden, fabric or cardboard calendar with numbered drawers or pockets that you refill each year. Wooden house-style calendars and felt wall hangings are the most common types. If you want one, browse reusable advent calendars on Amazon and look for drawers big enough for the treats you plan to use.
Advent calendar ideas: DIY fillers that work
- Activity notes: one family activity per day, such as baking cookies, watching a Christmas movie or writing a card
- Small treats: wrapped candy, stickers, hair ties or mini puzzles
- Kindness tasks: donate a toy, call a grandparent or leave a note for a neighbor
- Book countdown: wrap 24 holiday picture books and open one each night
- Adult version: tea bags, face masks, homemade coupons or favorite snacks
For more homemade ideas, see our guide to DIY Christmas gifts.
Countdown treats for dogs and cats
Pet advent calendars usually hold one treat or small toy per day. Before you buy, check the ingredients and treat size for your pet’s weight, and then compare dog advent calendars and cat advent calendars on Amazon.
When Do Advent Calendars Go on Sale?
Most 2026 advent calendars went on sale between July and September, and the most popular ones sell out by November. For example, the Bonne Maman 2026 calendar launched in mid-July, and LEGO’s five calendars went on sale September 1.
| Calendar | 2026 on-sale or ship timing |
|---|---|
| Bonne Maman 2026 | Announced July 15, 2026; limited quantities |
| LEGO advent calendars 2026 | On sale September 1, 2026 |
| Flaviar Whiskey 2026 | Shipping from September; order by November 15 |
| In Good Taste Wine 2026 | Ships by end of October 2026 |
| Just Enough Wines 2026 | Ships from October 2026 |
| Dandelion Chocolate 2026 | Pre-order only; ships in November |
Should you wait for Black Friday?
Only if you are buying a widely stocked calendar. Black Friday 2026 is November 27, which is just four days before December 1, so limited-edition calendars may already be gone. Also, shipping can take a week or more. If you do plan to wait, read our Black Friday 2026 guide and check the Christmas shipping deadlines.
How to Choose an Advent Calendar
Choose an advent calendar by matching it to one daily habit the person already has, such as coffee, makeup, building toys or a nightly glass of wine. Then check four things: the number of days, the price per day, the start date and any shipping limits.
- Price per day: divide the price by the number of doors; for instance, a $95 calendar with 24 doors costs about $4 a day
- Full-size count: in beauty calendars, full-size products matter more than the stated value
- Age and safety: LEGO and Hot Wheels sets contain small parts; follow the age label for young children
- Shipping rules: alcohol calendars need an adult signature and do not ship to every state
- Freshness: for food calendars, check the best-by date if you buy early
Is a beauty advent calendar worth it?
Yes, if most of the products are ones the recipient would use. For example, the e.l.f. calendar includes 18 full-size items for $95, so it pays off for a regular makeup user. On the other hand, a calendar full of skincare samples may sit unused.
Our verdict
For most families, the LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026 is the best advent calendar to buy this year, while Star Wars, Marvel and Disney fans should grab their themed LEGO set instead. For beauty, the e.l.f. 24-Day calendar offers the best value, and Dermstore wins on skincare.
Meanwhile, the Bonne Maman 2026 calendar remains the best food pick, and In Good Taste or Flaviar are the strongest advent calendar choices for adults. Whatever you choose, order before November so it arrives by December 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you start an advent calendar in 2026?
Start most advent calendars on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, and open the last door on December 24. The religious season of Advent begins earlier, on Sunday, November 29, 2026, so families who follow the church calendar may light the first Advent candle that day. Calendars with 25 doors finish on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25.
When do advent calendars go on sale?
Most advent calendars go on sale between July and September. In 2026, Bonne Maman announced its calendar in mid-July and LEGO released its five calendars on September 1. Beauty and wine calendars also launched in early fall. So, the best time to buy is October, before popular editions sell out in November.
What is the best LEGO advent calendar 2026?
The LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026, set 60510, is the best all-round choice because it has broad appeal and sits in the lower price tier. However, fans should pick their theme: Star Wars 75456 follows The Mandalorian, Marvel 76340 has the most pieces at 317, and Disney 43298 includes four princess micro-dolls.
What is the best beauty advent calendar 2026?
The e.l.f. Express Your e.l.f. 24-Day Advent Calendar is the best beauty advent calendar for value in 2026, with 18 full-size products for a $95 list price. For luxury, Charlotte Tilbury offers 15 surprises for $220, and Dermstore offers 24 skincare products for $250 with a stated value of $1,147.
What is a good advent calendar for adults?
A good advent calendar for adults matches a daily habit. Wine lovers can choose the In Good Taste 2026 calendar with 24 small bottles, and whiskey fans can choose Flaviar with 24 samples. Non-drinkers may prefer coffee pods, beauty products, puzzles or food such as Bonne Maman spreads or Walker’s shortbread.
What can I put in a reusable advent calendar?
Fill a reusable advent calendar with small items that fit the drawers, such as wrapped candy, stickers, mini toys, tea bags or face masks. Activity notes work well too, for example baking cookies, watching a holiday movie or calling a grandparent. Mixing treats and activities keeps costs down and makes each day feel different.
