15 Best Advent Calendars for 2026 | The Trending Ones You’ll Want Before They Sell Out
I know it feels early to start talking about Advent calendars, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about holiday shopping, it’s that the really good ones don’t wait around until December!
And Advent calendars have become SO much more fun than the little chocolate calendars we grew up with. Although, if you ask me, there’s still something special about those simple little chocolate ones—they might just always be the best. This year there are squishies, LEGO sets, beauty products, gourmet treats, magnetic tiles, collectibles and—yes—even a NeeDoh calendar.
I’ve narrowed it down to 15 of the best, most buzzed-about Advent calendars for 2026. Whether you’re shopping for your kids, teens, husband, mom, best friend—or yourself—there’s something on this list worth grabbing early.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Love, Tabitha!
1. NeeDoh Advent Calendar ♥ MY PICK FOR KIDS
If your kids are obsessed with NeeDoh like so many kids are right now, this is going to be one of THE Advent calendars to find this year.
Instead of candy, there are 24 mini NeeDoh sensory toys hiding behind the doors. Kids get different shapes, textures and colorful little squishies throughout December.
I especially love that the surprises aren’t something they’ll eat in 30 seconds and forget about. By Christmas, they’ll have an entire collection of mini NeeDohs to play with.
This one is already generating a lot of buzz, so I would absolutely grab it when you find it in stock.
BEST FOR: Kids 3+, sensory-toy fans, tweens and anyone who can’t resist a good squishy.
SHOP: NeeDoh Advent Calendar
2. LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026
There’s a reason LEGO Advent calendars come back year after year.
The 2026 LEGO City Advent Calendar has 24 days of little builds and characters, and unlike some Advent surprises, everything can become part of the kids’ LEGO collection afterward.
It’s one of those calendars that gives you the fun of opening a door every morning AND something they’ll continue playing with long after Christmas.
BEST FOR: Kids 5+, LEGO lovers and families who want toys instead of candy.
SHOP: LEGO City
3. MAGNA-TILES Advent Calendar
Another one I wouldn’t wait too long on!
MAGNA-TILES are already incredibly popular with families, and turning them into a Christmas countdown makes them even more fun.
Kids reveal new magnetic pieces throughout December that they can use to create a festive holiday scene—and then mix them into the MAGNA-TILES they already own.
If your house already has a bin full of magnetic tiles, you know exactly why this one is going to be popular.
BEST FOR: Younger kids, builders and MAGNA-TILES fans.
SHOP: MAGNA-TILES
4. Madelaine Chocolate Sesame Street Advent Calendar
This one immediately caught my attention because it combines two things that feel wonderfully nostalgic: Sesame Street and a traditional chocolate Advent calendar.
Madelaine Chocolate teamed up with Sesame Street for the 2026 holiday season, and the calendars feature favorite characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird.
Behind the 24 doors are premium milk chocolates, giving kids that classic experience of opening a little door and getting a chocolate each day.
And let’s be honest—the Sesame Street characters make this one adorable.
I especially love it for younger children or even adults who grew up watching Sesame Street and want a little nostalgia with their Christmas countdown.
BEST FOR: Little kids, Sesame Street fans and chocolate lovers.
SHOP: Madelaine Chocolate
5. Bonne Maman Limited-Edition Advent Calendar
This has become one of those Advent calendars people look forward to every single year.
Behind the doors you’ll find adorable mini jars of fruit spreads and other sweet surprises, including special flavors created for the holiday season.
Imagine opening a new little jar in the morning and enjoying it on homemade bread, biscuits or sourdough with your coffee.
BEST FOR: Foodies, moms, grandparents, gardeners, homesteaders and cozy-breakfast lovers.
SHOP: Bonne Maman
6. Anthropologie 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar
Beauty Advent calendars are HUGE, and Anthropologie’s is one of the calendars getting a lot of attention this season.
You get 24 beauty surprises, including a mixture of skincare, makeup, hair care, fragrance and other treats.
It’s basically 24 little excuses to pamper yourself throughout December.
I’d absolutely consider this one for a mom, sister, best friend, older teen—or yourself.
BEST FOR: Beauty lovers, women and older teens.
SHOP: Anthropologie
7. LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026
For the Star Wars fan, this one is pretty hard to beat.
The 2026 calendar combines the fun of LEGO with Star Wars characters and mini builds hidden behind 24 doors.
And because the pieces can be added to an existing LEGO collection afterward, it feels like you’re getting more than just a December countdown.
This would make such a fun early Christmas gift.
BEST FOR: Star Wars fans, LEGO collectors and kids 6+.
SHOP: LEGO Star Wars
8. Godiva Chocolate Advent Calendar
Sometimes you just want a really good chocolate Advent calendar.
And Godiva definitely delivers.
Behind the doors are assorted chocolates, making this one feel a little more grown-up and indulgent than the inexpensive chocolate calendars we remember as kids.
I’d pair this with a cozy blanket, candle and bottle of something festive and turn it into an entire Christmas gift.
BEST FOR: Chocolate lovers, moms, coworkers, teachers and hostess gifts.
SHOP: Godiva
9. Hello Kitty & Friends Advent Calendar
Hello Kitty is having such a moment again, so of course she belongs on the list.
The 2026 Hello Kitty & Friends Advent Calendar includes collectible figures and festive surprises featuring Hello Kitty and friends.
This one hits that sweet spot where younger kids will love it, but teens and adult Hello Kitty collectors might want it just as much.
BEST FOR: Hello Kitty fans, collectors, kids and teens.
SHOP: Hello Kitty
10. National Geographic Science Advent Calendar
If you want something besides candy and toys, I really like this option.
National Geographic’s Advent calendars turn the Christmas countdown into a little daily discovery, with versions featuring science experiments, gemstones and other STEM activities.
Kids get the excitement of opening a door while also getting something they can investigate, create or learn about.
As a parent, I love gifts that secretly sneak a little learning into the fun.
BEST FOR: Curious kids, STEM lovers and homeschool families.
SHOP: National Geographic
11. Hot Wheels Advent Calendar
If you’ve got a kid who already has Hot Wheels tracks running through half the house, here’s your Advent calendar.
Hot Wheels calendars combine cars with little holiday accessories and surprises so kids can build out their collection while counting down to Christmas.
And unlike candy, those cars are going straight into the toy bin and will probably still be racing across your kitchen floor six months from now.
BEST FOR: Car-loving kids and Hot Wheels collectors.
SHOP: Hot Wheels
12. Sephora Beauty Advent Calendar
Another beauty calendar that’s always going to get attention!
The Sephora Advent Calendar is packed with beauty surprises ranging from skincare and makeup to accessories.
It’s a fun way to try a bunch of different products without buying everything individually—and opening a beauty treat every morning sounds like a pretty good way to get through the December craziness to me.
BEST FOR: Teens, beauty lovers, daughters, sisters and best friends.
SHOP: Sephora
13. LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2026
LEGO earns more than one spot on this list because their Advent calendars continue to be some of the most popular options for kids.
The LEGO Friends 2026 Advent Calendar creates a wintery holiday world one little surprise at a time.
By Christmas, all those little daily builds come together into something kids can actually continue playing with.
BEST FOR: Kids 6+ and LEGO Friends fans.
SHOP: LEGO Friends
14. Disney Doorables Advent Calendar
If your kids love blind bags and collectible toys, this is a fun one.
Disney Doorables are those tiny Disney character figures with the big sparkly eyes, and the Advent calendar turns opening them into a 24-day Christmas countdown.
Part of the fun is not knowing which Disney character is going to be hiding behind the next door.
BEST FOR: Disney kids, collectors and blind-box fans.
SHOP: Disney Doorables
15. Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar
I’m finishing the list with one that’s getting a LOT of attention this year.
The 2026 Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar is packed with skincare, makeup, hair care, fragrance and beauty products from recognizable brands.
This year’s version includes a combination of full-size products and minis, which makes it especially appealing if you’re looking at the value of what’s actually inside instead of simply wanting a cute calendar.
This is the kind of Advent calendar I’d give someone as their actual Christmas gift—just a little early so they can start opening it December 1!
BEST FOR: Beauty lovers, moms, sisters, daughters and anyone who loves trying new products.
SHOP: Amazon
Which Advent Calendars Are Trending for 2026?
If I had to narrow this list down even further, my five calendars to watch this year would be:
NeeDoh Advent Calendar — one of my top picks for kids.
LEGO Advent Calendars — a classic that kids actually keep playing with.
Anthropologie 24 Days of Beauty — for the beauty lover.
Bonne Maman Advent Calendar — the cozy foodie pick.
Madelaine Chocolate Sesame Street Advent Calendar — one of my favorite NEW collaborations for Christmas 2026.
Don’t Wait Until December!
Here’s your friendly reminder: Advent calendars start December 1, not Christmas Day!
And the calendars everyone wants tend to be the ones that disappear first.
If you see the NeeDoh, LEGO, MAGNA-TILES, Bonne Maman or another calendar on this list that you really want, I’d grab it rather than assuming it’ll still be there at the end of November.
Then hide it somewhere the kids won’t find it. Which, honestly, might be the hardest part.
I love Advent calendars because they’re such a simple way to add a little excitement to an already magical time of year. Whether it’s a tiny chocolate, a new LEGO build or a squishy NeeDoh waiting behind the door, it gives everyone something fun to look forward to each morning.
Which Advent calendar would your family be most excited to open this year?
