The 50 best advent calendars to shop last minute for December 2024

Invite Elsa, Tiana, Ariel, Mirabel and Moana to your holiday table. Build a small scene for each princess — including Ariel's undersea palace — then flip over the box to play the built-in board game with up to five other Disney fans. 

Are your Spidey senses tingling? That's because this 24-day countdown takes young Lego builders (ages 7 and up) on a journey to recreate some of their favorite Spider-Man scenes with iconic set pieces (like Peter Parker's desk) and Marvel's finest dressed in their holiday best. It's a no-brainer for Spider-Man fans, especially since it's 30% off right now.

Kids love magic — and this countdown will teach them 15 new tricks to take to the stage. On the other days, they'll learn how to float coins on water, write secret messages and conduct scientific fun. 

Let your little sculptor's imagination run wild this advent season. They'll get 24 fresh tubs of dough, plus festive molds and accessories to create their very own snowy scene. 

Alright, I know the last thing a parent wants is more stuffed animals, but you'll be happy to know that this 25-day countdown only comes with six mini plushies that can easily be stored away. On the other days, your little one will uncover a new festive outfit or accessory for their new furry friends. 

Hooray, the holidays are nearly here! Bluey, Bingo and the rest of their crew will take young (and old) readers on an adventure (make that two dozen adventures) in the lead-up to Christmas. There are 24 mini books in total — a mix of short stories, coloring pages and kid-friendly activities.

Or if you want something tangible to inspire free play, then this Bluey countdown is your best bet. They'll uncover a new surprise behind each window, including a decked-out Bluey and Bingo, festive accessories and themed stickers. 

School may be out of session for part of December, but that doesn't mean the learning has to stop. Some days, your little scientist will experiment with floating coins, secret messages and growing crystals; other days, they'll get a new gemstone to add to their ever-growing collection.

Nab it while it's on sale for Black Friday. Save 20% for a limited time. 

Sure, you could just wrap up a decked-out charm bracelet for Christmas morning, but what's the fun in that? This advent calendar will take her on an arm candy adventure this December, unveiling a new charm or tassel each day.

Disney fans, listen up: This interactive advent calendar sells out every year — without fail. Snag one while it's still in stock, so the whole family can enjoy 24 days of heartfelt tales, quizzes, puzzles and other games led by your favorite characters. 

Stock the shelves of a Disney store one mini at a time. Think: a tiny Tinkerbell doll in its packing, The Little Mermaid VHS tape, Mickey plushie and other nostalgic finds. It's a treat for kids and adults alike. 

Get 24 days of fun for just $15 — that's 50% off its normal price! 

Follow step-by-step instructions to build a working (!) train over 12 days. Made for ages 7 and up, this build-your-own advent calendar will teach them how to hook up an electric motor, assemble cargo cars and so much more. 

Adding magic to a magical seasonal is gilding the lily, but that's what this time of year is all about. This one is packed with Harry Potter-themed figurines or accessories that glow in the dark for the little wizards in your life. 

We're never too far from Mario. This calendar blends nostalgia with holiday cheer — you get a new surprise from the Mushroom Kingdom each day.

Assemble a mini puzzle daily, then connect 'em on Christmas Eve to see all 1,000 pieces in their glory. The daily jigsaws are on the smaller side and reviewers say they only take a few minutes to complete, so they won't suck up what little downtime you have this time of year. "The puzzle pieces are marked on the back so they can be returned to the correct individual box for future use," one reviewer pointed out.

Save a whopping 70% off during Amazon's Black Friday sale. Yep, it's only $10 for a limited time. 

Best believe you'll be bejeweled this winter. Treat yourself to a dozen of Kendra Scott's bestsellers — including their signature Elisa pendant necklace, plus an array of bracelets and earrings. Sure, the upfront price is pretty steep, but it's worth $655— that means you're getting this selection of jewels for half price!

Now here's a fintastic advent calendar for anglers of all ages. Once the 24 days are up, you'll have a collection of fishing lures for all, er, fishy situations, everything from topwaters for catching bass and trout to spoons that are better suited for deeper dives. 

Crack a Christmas mystery one puzzle at a time. It'll be harder to solve it solo, so team up with a few trusted minds to track down Santa and save Christmas as we know it. "The little daily riddles and quests are challenging enough to keep us entertained and varied enough that everyone in our family of five has been able to make a contribution to solving," one five-star fan wrote, adding that their 19-year-old son loves it as much as their younger kids.

Get twelve days of holiday scents — some are sweet (and a touch spicy), others bring the outside in. The candles have a six-hour burn time, so you can light a new one each day or save a couple to enjoy after the season wraps. 

Create your own woodland wonderland with 24 paper cut-outs — sweater-clad bears, owls and cardinals, to name a few. The entire thing fits in a paper envelope, so you can store it safely once the season wraps. It's on sale for just $19 right now — that's 20% off its normal price! 

You know you're an adult when you get excited about a stocking full of socks. I see your stocking and I'll raise you this sock-filled advent calendar. Yep, you can refresh their sock drawer with 24 funky, somewhat festive pairs, one day at a time. 

It paid to wait: Shave off $78 during the brand's Black Friday sale, running now through December 2. 

High-quality stationery is one of the best gifts to give and get — and Papier knows this all too well. This year's advent calendar is supposedly "bigger and brighter than last year's," with $250 worth of pretty pens, paper goods and journaling must-haves. It sold out in just three weeks last year, so snag one while you still can.

Pick it up during Papier's Black Friday sale to save 20%. 

Lindt and Godiva — been there, ate your way through that. Switch things up this year by going with Kinder's countdown, which gives a different crispy or creamy chocolate each day. It has all of their heavy hitters, including the much-loved Happy Hippos and Bueno Minis.

It's simple: Christmas isn't complete without crushing a Lindt chocolate bear (or two). Luckily, this 24-piece countdown comes with two of 'em, along with an assortment of solid chocolate balls, bite-size bars and creamy truffles.

You've seen it, I've tried it, and let me tell you this jam-filled advent calendar is all it's cracked up to be. Spread the love with 24 gingham-lidded minis of the brand's beloved fruit spreads (like Mixed Berries and 4 Berries) along with several limited-edition flavors.

Not sure you want to splash out on the bigger countdown? Go with this 12-day version, which comes with — you guessed it — a dozen mini preserves, marmalades and jellies. That's right, the same fruity goodness for nearly half the price. 

Nothing screams "Christmas" quite like a Godiva advent calendar. Pull back the cover to reveal 24 doors — each one has a decadent milk, dark or white chocolate tucked inside. Some are straight chocolate, while others are filled with salted caramel, almond crunch and sweet ganache. 

One advent calendar, 104 individually wrapped chocolate truffles and mints. Pull out a numbered drawer to reveal a sweet surprise and inspiration for a new holiday tradition. Hold onto this and repurpose it during future Christmases. 

Does someone need a hug? Nope, you just need 12 days of holiday cheer in the form of peppermint taffy, maple syrup and a Mr. Narwhal sugar cookie. 

The holidays are brewing — and so is your Keurig machine. Each morning, pop a new pod into your machine and brew up a cup of cheer. Sip on a variety of festive flavors from brands like Green Mountain and Caribou Coffee. And in the event that there's a morning or two that you want a break from the caffeine, this 24-door countdown has a couple of Swiss Miss hot chocolate K-cups.

Get it right now for $20, the lowest price we've seen all season. 

If you own a machine from Nespresso's Vertuo line (like our best-tested VertuoPlus),then pick up this caffeinated countdown to get a whole latte coffee. You'll get 23 capsules varying in strength, flavor and caffeination, plus a limited-edition mug to hold your fresh brew. 

Oprah's a big fan of Vahdam tea — so much so that the brand earned a coveted spot on Oprah's Favorite Things list in 2018 and 2019. See what the hype is all about by sampling a selection of their loose-leaf black, green, oolong, white and herbal teas. Just make sure you have an infuser handy. 

You don't have to spend big bucks to live like Oprah. Save 20% on this advent calendar during Amazon's Black Friday sale. 

I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we like options.This pick from Pukka has 23 (!) different tea varieties — yep, there's only one duplicate in the whole set. Some will make sure you start your day off right (like the aptly-named morning berry), while others will help you wind down (chamomile with vanilla and honey).

Another epic Black Friday deal! Get 20% off for a limited time. 

Here's one way to guarantee that your Christmas is filled with matcha happiness. Try out 12 fresh and fruity flavors fit for the season, including toasted marshmallow and gingerbread. Get two servings of each — that's 24 heartwarming cups! 

Benefit is here to make sure you have what you need to carry you through the holiday season. Stock up on 24 of the brand's bestsellers — some full-size favorites, some travel-ready minis — in one fell swoop. No shopping trip is required — although you'll still get the full experience, shopping basket and all.

This advent calendar sold out early, but it's now back in stock at Ulta — for a limited time, I'm sure! 

A four-pack of Burt's Bees lip balms usually goes for about $10 — and with this advent calendar, you can get a set of 12 for just $25 (which is seriously good deal, if you ask me). Uncover a new flavor each day, ranging from vanilla maple to coconut and pear.

Pamper yourself from head to toe with this 12-day countdown. Get an assortment of tried-and-tested favorites from Cetaphil and Olay, along with buzzy releases like Byoma's gel cream cleanser. 

Don't let dry, cracked lips get your tinsel in a tangle this holiday season. Prepare for the inevitable with this calendar, which comes with a dozen full-size lip balms in a variety of fun flavors like sugar cookie, candy cane and vanilla mint. 

Twelve lip balms for less than $15? It's a Christmas — er, Black Friday — miracle! 

18,000 people were on the waitlist for this highly-anticipated countdown, and now it's all yours for the taking. A very glowy Christmas right this way: Get 10 of the brand's biggest hits — including two versions of the viral Dew Drops — along with a depuffing eye roller and adorable watermelon hair clips.

You without your nails done is like a Christmas tree without any ornaments. It just doesn't make any sense. But instead of rushing off to the salon to dress up your tips, just power up this mini LED lamp and get gel nails right at home. This countdown comes with all the essentials — six mini polishes, double-sided nail files, nail stickers and more. 

Get glowy this Christmas! Each year, CT releases a 12-drawer chest with all of their top products — and this year's is stuffed to the brim with their viral highlighter wand, cult-favorite Pillow Talk lipstick and makeup setting spray, to name just a few of the all-stars.

2024 was the year that everyone — and I mean, everyone — (re)discovered e.l.f's magic. Test out 24 of the brand's holy-grail items, from pro-worthy tools to a wide range of full-size makeup products (some of which come in brand-new shades!).

It's not an advent calendar per se, but this beauty comes with 21 of Dermstore's best in makeup, skin and hair care from the last year. There are a number of full-size products thrown into the mix, including a SkinCeuticals moisturizer, BeautyStat vitamin C serum and Tarte Cosmetics eye highlight. Work your way through this chest over a couple of weeks or open everything at once — your secret's safe with me.

Your pup only has one thing on their mind during the howl-idays: treats, and lot's of 'em. While you're snacking on cookies and chocolates, they'll join in on the festive fun with bone marrow bites or crunchy peanut butter biscuits. 

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a ball to play fetch with. On the second day, they gave me a rope for tug-of-war. Then came the plush toys that crinkle and squeak. This 12-day countdown will make for a dog-gone good Christmas — need I say more?

Chances are, your cat's feline festive too. And while they may view the Christmas tree and decorations as toys, this 12-pack will ensure they always have a ball, plush or wand to play with. Four toys contain catnip for when they're on the nice list. 

Celebrate the most wine-derful time of the year by popping open a flap to reveal if you'll be pouring a glass of red, white or rosé. You'll get 12 half-bottles — it's up to you if you drink them all before Santa's big day or hold onto a few for the new year. 

Dreaming of a white Christmas? What about a red winemas? Well, you'll get a bit of both (plus, some rosé!) in this 24-day wine countdown. Each mini bottle gives you a six-ounce pour — sip on one solo while you make your list (and check it twice) or save 'em to share with loved ones at holiday parties.

Turn the festive fun into a teaching moment. By the time Rudolph lands on your rooftop, this tannenbaum will be decked out with 24 magnetic ornaments and a gold star at the very top.

Turn your holiday countdown into a sensory experience for the littlest ones. They'll work on their numbers and fine motor skills, all while revealing tiny toys and treats of your choice. A suggestion: Save their biggest surprise for Christmas morning!