It’s mid-October, and the first significant discounts on LEGO Advent calendars are already starting to appear. Some are around 30 percent off. That sounds good at first. But every year I ask myself the same question: Should I go for it now? Or should I just wait a few more weeks?
Over the years, I’ve found that many sellers sell their Advent calendars at significantly lower prices starting no later than December 1. Of course, they want to get rid of the merchandise. The sales window for an Advent calendar is just pretty short. But that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get every calendar for half price. Some sell out early, while others sit on the shelves longer.
And that’s exactly why I’d start by asking myself: Do I want the calendar to be ready for my child by December 1? Do I want specific Minifigures? Or am I just looking for a really good deal?
Five Advent calendars, five very different reasons to buy them
This year’s lineup includes City, Friends, Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney. The two less expensive calendars have a MSRP of 26.99 euros, while the three licensed calendars are priced at 34.99 euros. I actually think the 34.99 euro price is pretty steep these days. After all, for that much money, I could get a decent little LEGO set.
| Calendar | Set | MSRP | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| City | 60510 | €26.99 | My favorite for Christmas |
| Friends | 42698 | €26.99 | For fans of the characters and animals |
| Star Wars | 75456 | €34.99 | Mainly because of the figures |
| Marvel | 76340 | €34.99 | Well-known heroes, but expensive |
| Disney | 43298 | €34.99 | Very much a matter of taste |
Current prices can change daily. That’s why I deliberately link to the relevant Price Comparison rather than just any discount, which might be gone by tomorrow.
City: I think this year’s edition turned out really well.
When I look at the five calendars, City is clearly my favorite this year. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, elves, a little reindeer, and the winter workshop—that’s just what Christmas is all about. These are exactly the kinds of characters and little scenes I want to see in an Advent calendar.
Of course, it’s a matter of taste. But in my opinion, for the lower MSRP, this one gives me a much stronger Christmas spirit than some of the licensed calendars. Still, I wouldn’t buy City blindly at the MSRP either.
Friends: Great for the right kids—but not a must-buy for me
I see it differently with Friends. The set comes with three minifigures and six animals. That’s definitely nice for kids who like Friends. It’s just that, personally, the contents appeal to me less than those in City. If I saw both side by side, I’d choose City.
And especially with Friends, I can imagine there will still be some really good Deals in December. Of course, no one knows today whether the calendar will actually drop to 14 or 15 euros. But for me, a price like that would actually be a reason to pick it up on a whim.
Star Wars: Nice figures, but 34.99 euros?
When it comes to Star Wars, I really like some of the small models. And there’s something special about the festive Mandalorian figures. It’s precisely because of figures like these that many collectors choose to buy an Advent calendar.
But do I really have to spend 34.99 euros on it? Not for me. I’d keep an eye on the calendar and decide when the price is right. If you absolutely want it because of a specific character, that’s a different story, of course. Then it would be frustrating if it suddenly sold out later.
For comparison, it’s also worth taking a look at the Brick-Tracker deals section. There, you can see if there’s actually a good deal available right now.
Marvel: Familiar characters, but I’d wait
Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and other well-known characters—that’s obviously appealing to Marvel fans. But even here, I feel like I’m mainly paying for the characters rather than getting a really nice Advent calendar.
For me, Marvel would therefore be a classic candidate to hold off on. If there’s a significant discount, we can talk about it. I wouldn’t buy it at the MSRP.
Disney: It really comes down to personal taste
I’ll be honest about the Disney calendar: The little figures just don’t appeal to me at all. That doesn’t mean the calendar is bad. Anyone who loves the Disney princesses will probably see it completely differently. The play concept it includes might even be a plus for kids.
But just because it says “LEGO” on it doesn’t mean I have to buy every Advent calendar. And certainly not if the figures don’t win me over.
Why I look for Deals, especially starting on December 1
An Advent calendar presents a rather unique problem: Starting in December, it becomes harder for sellers to sell with each passing day. After all, a buyer who doesn’t buy one until December 10 won’t be able to open the first ten doors as planned.
That’s why every year I see prices drop significantly at the end of the season. This can even happen before December. So a 30 percent discount in October isn’t necessarily the best price of the year.
But there’s a downside: If you need a calendar for your child by December 1, you shouldn’t wait until the last minute. Saving a few euros isn’t worth much if the calendar you want doesn’t arrive in time.
And what about the calendars from last year?
I think that’s almost even more exciting. An Advent calendar from 2025 isn’t suddenly bad just because the wrong year is printed on the box. For a child who doesn’t know the characters yet, the 24 little doors can be just as much fun.
If last year’s Star Wars calendar is being offered today at a significantly lower price than the new one, I’d take a look at the figures and models first. If I actually like the older content better, why should I pay more?
Of course, this isn’t a universal rule. Individual items, in particular, can keep the prices of older calendars high. That’s why it’s worth checking out the Live Deals section and the respective Price History.
I no longer buy Advent calendars as a LEGO investment
By the way, this isn’t just theory for me. About four years ago, I had a bad experience myself with LEGO Advent calendars as an Investment. I’ve stayed away from them ever since.
Of course, a special Minifigure might become valuable later on. But storing a whole stack of calendars, hoping prices will go up, and then selling everything again someday? Personally, that’s too much risk and effort for me for this kind of set.
If I buy an Advent calendar today, it’s for the kids, to build with, or for the individual figures. Not as an Investment.
My takeaway: It’s not the biggest discount that matters, but what you want
As far as I’m concerned, City is the clear winner in 2026. The calendar has a nice Christmas feel to it and costs less than the licensed versions. With Star Wars and Marvel, I mainly look at the figures. To me, Friends and Disney are more for kids who love those specific themes.
And what about the price? I wouldn’t get worked up over a 30 percent discount in October. If you need the calendar by December 1, buy it in advance at a reasonable price. If you’re flexible or just want the figures, it might be worth waiting until December.
The best way to check prices is directly in Brick-Tracker. After all, what matters in the end isn’t how big the discount looks on the sign, but what you actually have to pay.
If you’d like to learn more about what’s inside the five calendars, you can find my detailed comparison of the 2026 LEGO Advent Calendars here.