Best Advent Calendars 2026: Picks for Kids and Grown-Ups

Here are 28 advent calendars that were in stock at US shops on November 12, 2026, grouped by who they're for. Each price is what the shop showed that day, and sale prices move, so check the link before you buy.

Advent Calendars for Kids

The LEGO calendars are the safe bet: a small build behind every door, and the pieces end up in the big box with everything else.

• LEGO City Advent Calendar 2026 (60510): 24 surprises and 252 pieces, with Santa, Mrs. Claus and three elves, a baby reindeer, a rocking horse and a little train. $24.49 at Target, down from $34.99.
• LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 (75456): 293 pieces behind 24 doors, with The Mandalorian, Moff Gideon, Grogu and eight mini vehicles, an X-wing among them. $31.49 at Target, down from $44.99.
• LEGO Friends Advent Calendar 2026 (42698): Liann, Nova and Aliya with a seal, a pony, a polar bear and a penguin, and marshmallows to toast. 211 pieces. $24.49 at Target, down from $34.99.
• Hot Wheels 2026 Advent Calendar: 10 cars, 14 accessories and 10 clips that turn the cars into tree ornaments. One car is a snow globe with a yeti driving. $26.99 at Target.
• Cra-Z-Slimy Holiday 24 Day Countdown Slime Calendar 2026: a new slime every day, stretchy, fluffy, sparkly or crunchy. Best opened somewhere with a wipeable table. $19.99 at Target.
• MAGNA-TILES Advent Calendar: 34 pieces, with Santa and a train conductor, a small chassis and 10 decorated mini tiles that click onto the sets kids already have. $38.99 at Target.

A Homemade Calendar Idea

Not every calendar has to come from a shop. A fabric one with pockets can hold a mix of small treats and little things to do together:

• Bake Christmas cookies in fun shapes
• Write a letter to Santa in your prettiest envelope
• Pick toys you don't play with anymore to give to other kids
• A ticket for hot chocolate with marshmallows and a Christmas movie
• New Christmas pajamas to wear that night

It takes a couple of evenings to fill. Write the tasks on small cards and keep them for next year.

Advent Calendars for Her

Beauty calendars are mostly worth it when the full-size pieces are things she would buy anyway. These list what's inside, so you can check.

• Revolution Beauty Advent Calendar 2026: 24 days with 10 full-size products, 8 minis and 6 accessories, including the Reloaded Palette Holiday Special and a Pink Snowfall shimmer stick. $65 at Ulta.
• Dossier 2026 Advent Calendar Perfume Gift Set: 12 perfumes over 12 days, among them Ambery Saffron, Slice of Heaven and Woody Sandalwood. A cheap way to find a new scent. $49 at Target.
• Clarins 12 Day Advent Calendar: 12 pieces, with Lip Perfector in Rose Shimmer and a 1 oz Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream. $98 at Ulta.
• Maison Margiela REPLICA 7-Day Holiday Calendar: a short one, seven days, with a 1 oz Jazz Club and a mini By the Fireplace. For the last week before Christmas. $140 at Nordstrom.
• L'Occitane Advent Calendar Set: 24 products, including Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream, Almond Shower Oil and Immortelle Divine Cream. $155 at Nordstrom.
• 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar: 31 pieces from different brands, with Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel, The Ordinary Multi-Active Delivery Essence and an OPI polish in Malaga Wine. $150 at Ulta.

Advent Calendars for Him

For the one who says he doesn't need anything. These are small things he'd use up by January.

• Dossier Men's 2026 Advent Calendar Fragrance Gift Set: 12 eau de parfums over 12 days, such as Zest for Life, Woody Sandalwood and Musky Oakmoss. $49 at Target.
• 12 Days of Hot Sauce: 12 mini bottles, from Pineapple Papaya BBQ to Garlic Reaper and Psycho Curry. $50 at Nordstrom, shipped by Uncommon Goods.
• DM Snacks Gourmet Food Advent Calendar 2026: 24 one-ounce bags of nuts and savory snacks, like Cheddar Jalapeño Clusters and Truffle Umami Pretzels. $65 at Target, down from $70, sold by a partner shop.
• Joyfy 2026 Christmas Advent Calendar Socks for Men: 24 pairs, 20 low-cut and 4 knee-high, with Santa, reindeer and snowflake patterns. $33.99 at Target, down from $65.99, sold by a partner shop.
• Tony's Chocolonely Countdown Advent Calendar: 25 small bars, including Milk Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt and Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt. $24.99 at Target.

Advent Calendars for Parents

December is the month parents get the least of it. A calendar that makes them sit down for five minutes with a cup of tea is a good one.

• Twinings Tea Advent Calendar: 24 doors with two tea bags each, 20 kinds in all, Chai and Earl Grey among them. $19.99 at Target.
• Tea Forté Winter Chalet Tea Advent Calendar: 12 pyramid infusers, including Winter Chai, Chocolate Fondue and Moroccan Mint. $30 at Nordstrom, down from $40.
• Whittard Tea Advent Calendar: 48 tea bags, two a day, with Earl Grey, English Breakfast and Whittard's Christmas Tea. $45 at Nordstrom, sold by a partner shop.
• Ravensburger Advent Calendar Jigsaw Puzzle: 24 small puzzles of 56 pieces, cozy scenes of baking, knitting and tea. One fits in a coffee break. $29.99 at Target.
• Neuhaus 25-Piece Classic 2026 Advent Calendar: 25 Belgian chocolates, one for every day up to Christmas. $70 at Nordstrom.
• Yankee Candle 12 Days of Christmas Candle Advent Calendar 2026: 12 small jar candles, such as Balsam & Cedar and Pink Sands. $69.99 at Nordstrom, sold by a partner shop.

Advent Calendars for Friends

Something a little silly or a little indulgent, for the friend who sends you memes at 7am.

• Papier 12 Day Advent Calendar: stationery for 12 days, from three fineliners to a bookmark and a pencil case charm. $95 at Papier, marked "Selling fast!" when we checked.
• 12 Days of Freeze-Dried Ice Cream: 12 bags of crunchy ice cream, like mango and Sicilian pistachio. $48 at Nordstrom, shipped by Uncommon Goods.
• Sugarfina 24 Tastes of Christmas Advent Calendar: 24 candies from around the world, one a day. $60 at Nordstrom.
• 12 Days of Coca-Cola Jigsaw Puzzles: 12 puzzles of 48 pieces with vintage Santa artwork. $24.99 at Nordstrom, sold by MasterPieces.
• M&S Percy Pig Advent Calendar: 24 milk chocolates and a bag of Percy Pig sweets for Christmas Day. For the friend who brings Percy Pigs back from every UK trip. $15 at Target.

Buying for More Than One Person?

If grandparents, aunts and uncles all buy calendars, two kids can end up with the same LEGO set. Put the ones you'd like on a wishlist and share the link: family books the one they're buying, and everyone else sees it's taken. Wishes is free and guests need no app.