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The best advent calendars of 2026
Fly by Jing; Melissa & Doug; Anthropologie/Business insider
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, five advent calendars are at the top of our list. There’s the classic chocolate countdown with an altruistic twist, a luxe beauty box filled with travel-size essentials, and a luxurious fragrance collection from Diptyque. Each brings something different to the holiday countdown, whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone on your list.
Sunday Riley Carry-on Essentials Advent Calendar
The Sunday Riley advent calendar contains 12 days of TSA-approved travel-size skincare products.
Anthropologie
A 12-day holiday skincare set featuring a curated selection of travel-sized bestsellers from Sunday Riley, including Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment, C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, and Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil.
ULTA 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar
Ulta 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar
Ulta
Ulta’s biggest advent calendar offers an incredible 31 pieces packed into 25 days of surprises. It includes a diverse mix of makeup, skincare, hair care, and wellness favorites from popular brands like lemme, Osea, Lolavie, Peach & Lily, and Morrocanoil. With a massive $440 value, it’s an exceptional way to sample a variety of premium products and makes a great gift.
Tony’s Chocolonely Assorted Chocolates Advent Calendar
Tony’s Chocolonely Countdown Calendar
World Market
This sweet holiday countdown features a festive mix of 25 individually wrapped milk, dark, and white chocolates with delicious fillings like nougat, caramel, and hazelnut. Designed to highlight industry inequities, the calendar includes 25 pieces spread across 24 spaces with one intentionally empty slot. Crafted from 100% traceable, Fair Trade beans purchased directly from partner cooperatives, every sweet treat supports a mission to end exploitation in the cocoa supply chain. It is a wonderfully unique and ethical way to celebrate the season while enjoying gourmet flavors.
Diptyque 25 Scented Treasures
Diptyque
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
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
Sephora
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
Vinebox
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
Walmart
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.
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