The best advent calendars of 2026 have come a long way from the humble chocolate countdown. These days, you can spend December unwrapping luxury skincare, building mini Lego sets, sampling gourmet treats, or spoiling your pets with a daily surprise.

The catch? Many of the most coveted calendars are limited-edition releases, and the good ones sell out fast. We’ve tracked down and vetted 26 of this year’s standouts, from affordable crowd-pleasers to extravagant splurges and delightfully unexpected gifts. Whether you’re shopping for someone who has everything or treating yourself (no judgment), these are the advent calendars worth getting your hands on before they’re gone.

The best advent calendars of 2026

If you’re not sure where to start, six advent calendars are at the top of our list. There’s the classic Bonne Maman jam calendar, a Lego countdown for Star Wars fans, a beauty-filled box from Anthropologie, a luxurious fragrance collection from Diptyque, and a decidedly less traditional option for food lovers from Fly By Jing. Each brings something different to the holiday countdown, whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone on your list.

Bonne Maman 2026 jam calendar

This year’s offerings of 24 adorable mini-jars of holiday-exclusive jams and spreads includes limited-edition flavors like Raspberry with Dark Chocolate, Caramel with Salted Butter, and Strawberry with Madagascar Vanilla.

2026 Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar

Make the countdown to the holidays an intergalactic adventure. Perfect for fans of The Mandalorian, this 293-piece set offers 24 brick-built surprises, including holiday-themed mini-figures like Grogu and Moff Gideon in festive gear.

Anthropologie 24 Days of Beauty

Housed in a whimsical, beautifully illustrated keepsake box, this curated Anthropologie exclusive features 24 premium beauty, bath, and body surprises. It’s a show-stopping gift.

Lovehoney Couple’s Advent Calendar

Spice up your holiday countdown with a luxurious 24-day box packed with premium intimate toys, games, and accessories designed for shared exploration. It’s a daily invitation to connect and try something new throughout the season and beyond.

Diptyque 25 Scented Treasures

The 2026 Diptyque advent calendar is a festive way to explore the French fragrance house’s signature scents, especially if you’ve been curious about the iconic brand but aren’t sure where to start. Inside, you’ll find several candles — longtime favorites of the Insider Reviews team — alongside a selection of eaux de toilette and perfumes. It’s an extravagant splurge, but one that makes every day of the countdown feel like a little luxury.

Fly By Jing limited-edition 12-day advent calendar

Fly By Jing’s 24-day advent calendar is already sold out, but you can still score the 12-day version. Starting December 12, discover an assortment of Sichuan hot sauces in a festive, panda-themed gift box.

Best beauty and self care advent calendars

Beauty advent calendars can be a great way to try new products, but some are more impressive on the outside than what’s tucked behind the little doors. Dermstore and Sephora offer a mix of skincare and beauty discoveries, while Revolve’s 2026 calendar leans into buzzy brands. For something more indulgent, there’s Jo Malone’s fragrance-filled countdown or Charlotte Tilbury’s holiday makeup collection.

Laneige Advent Calendar

The limited-edition 2026 Laneige Advent Calendar includes 12 mini- and full-size products, including Korean skin and lip bestsellers. Like the iconic Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, the calendar also contains products formulated to hydrate, visibly plump, and nourish skin.

More beauty advent calendars worth shopping

• For the candle connoisseur: Yankee Candle 12 Days of Christmas Candle Advent Calendar, $70

• For the GRWM girls: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wonderland 15-Piece Advent Calendar, $220

• A skincare lover’s jackpot: Best of Dermstore 2026, $250

• Lingerie drawer makeover: Hanky Panky 25 Days of Original Rise Thongs Advent Calendar, $660

• The daily reset: Canopy 12 Days of Self Care Advent Calendar, was $317, now $249

• Fragrance lover’s favorites: 12 Days of Jo Malone London Advent Calendar, $250

• The cool-girl beauty edit: Revolve Beauty Advent Calendar, $150

• An analogue moment: Papier 24 Day Advent Calendar, $195

• For the boho beauty: 2026 Free People Curated Beauty Advent Calendar, $148

Best food and drink advent calendars

For anyone who considers the holidays an excuse to eat something delicious every day, this category delivers. There’s classic chocolate from Godiva, gourmet confections from Compartés, and a Nespresso x Swarovski coffee collab to make December mornings a little more interesting. But the real fun is the unexpected finds, like Fishwife’s tinned seafood countdown and Fly By Jing’s collection of spicy Sichuan flavors.

Vinebox 12/24 Nights of Wine

The Vinebox 12 Nights of Wine Advent Calendar makes an unforgettable holiday gift for a wine enthusiast. (If the wine lover you know is really enthusiastic, the calendar also comes in a 24 Nights of Wine set.) Both boxes feature 12 sommelier-selected wines — you choose white, red or rosé — in individually sealed 100ml glass tubes, as well as tasting notes and food pairing ideas.

More food and drink advent calendars worth shopping

• Cool coffee collab: Nespresso x Swarovski Advent Calendar Coffee Pack, $50

• A chocolate classic: Godiva Limited Edition Luxury Chocolate Advent Calendar, was $58, now $52

• For the tinned fish obsessive: 12 Days of Fishwife Advent Calendar, $150

• A gourmet splurge: Williams Sonoma Chuck’s Luxury Advent Calendar, $400

Best advent calendars for kids and pets

The best part of an advent calendar for kids (and, I would argue, pets as well) is the anticipation, and these picks give them plenty to look forward to. Melissa & Doug’s magnetic Christmas tree is a charming tradition they can grow up with, while Lego’s minifigure puzzles add a little brainpower to the daily countdown. And because dogs are family too, Bonne et Filou has created a calendar filled with treats that look almost too pretty to feed your pup.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Advent Calendar

A durable, screen-free (and sugar-free!) holiday tradition featuring magnetic ornaments and a shining star to count down the days to Christmas. Designed with an attached storage box, Melissa & Doug’s charming wooden tree invites little hands into interactive play.

More advent calendars for kids and pets

• For the Lego lover: Countdown to Christmas Puzzles: 12 Days of Minifigure Advent Puzzles, $25

• A very Bluey holiday: Bluey Fuzzies Advent Calendar Pack, $24

• Macarons for your pooch: Bonne et Filou Dog Treats Advent Calendar, $70

• Cat toy collection: Larchio Interactive Cat Toy Advent Calendar, $20

How I chose the best advent calendars in 2026

At Business Insider Reviews, we spend the year researching, comparing, and recommending products worth your money, and advent calendars are no exception. For this guide, I looked beyond the festive packaging to find calendars with contents anyone would be excited to unwrap, from established favorites like Lego and Bonne Maman to more unexpected finds from Fly By Jing, and Fishwife.

I considered the quality and variety of the contents, brand reputation, price, and overall gift appeal, as well as whether each calendar offers something genuinely different from the others. I also prioritized options for a range of budgets and interests, because a $300 fragrance calendar and a $24 reusable wooden Christmas tree can both be great gifts for entirely different reasons.

Advent calendar FAQs

When should I buy an advent calendar?

October is a good time to start shopping for specialty advent calendars, particularly limited-edition beauty, food, and luxury releases. Some brands open pre-orders a month before December, and popular calendars can sell out well before the holiday season. Check the retailer’s estimated shipping dates to make sure yours will arrive before you want to start opening it.

Are luxury advent calendars worth the money?

It depends on what’s inside and how much I’ll use it. Luxury beauty and fragrance calendars can be an appealing way to explore several products from an expensive brand without committing to full-size versions of everything. But don’t rely on the advertised retail value alone. Compare the contents and sizes, and consider whether you’d actually buy the products individually.

What’s the difference between a 12-day and a 24-day advent calendar?

A traditional advent calendar typically counts down the 24 days from December one through Christmas Eve, although some include a 25th surprise for Christmas Day. 12-day calendars offer a shorter experience, often with more substantial gifts behind each door. Check the individual products, since brands don’t all follow the same countdown.