Best Gaming Advent Calendars: Specs, Picks & Buying Guide
Pokémon, Mario, Sonic and LEGO countdown calendars for gamers of every age.
An advent calendar turns the countdown to Christmas into a daily treat, and gaming themed calendars are a big hit with kids, teens and grown up collectors. Instead of chocolate, many hide mini figures from Pokémon, Mario, Sonic or Five Nights at Freddy's behind each door. Our guide to the best gaming advent calendars covers collectible figure calendars, building sets, puzzle calendars and a couple of sweet options for younger fans.
Below you will find the product table, our three top picks, a buying guide and tips for making a calendar last all season.
Our Top 3 Gaming Advent Calendars at a Glance
These three are well reviewed, easy to find on Amazon and themed around some of the biggest names in gaming.
Best Overall Tech Pick: Funko Pop! Countdown Calendar: Pokemon
Pokémon is the most popular gaming franchise for gift giving, and this Funko countdown calendar is a fan favorite. It has a 4.8 star average from about twenty seven hundred Amazon buyers.
- 24 days of surprises: a small Pokémon figure behind each door from December 1 to Christmas Eve.
- Collectible Funko style: the familiar Funko look that collectors like to display on a shelf or desk.
- Display ready box: the calendar itself makes a festive decoration while the countdown runs.
The trade off is that the figures are small, so they suit collectors more than kids who want toys to play rough with. At around $57, it is the best all round gaming calendar.
Best Bang for the Buck: Sonic the Hedgehog Advent Calendar 2026
Sonic fans get their own countdown with this 2026 calendar, which has a 4.5 star average from more than five hundred buyers.
- Current 2026 edition: a fresh calendar for this holiday season.
- Themed around Sonic and friends: a fun daily surprise for fans of the games and movies.
- Affordable price: one of the lowest cost calendars in our table.
The limitation is that contents are smaller than premium figure calendars. At around $33, it is a great value pick for younger gamers.
Best High End Pick: Super Mario Nintendo Advent Calendar
For Mario fans, this Nintendo calendar is packed with play value. It has a 4.8 star average from about twenty five hundred buyers.
- 17 articulated figures: 2.5 inch Mario characters with moving joints.
- 7 accessories: items that let kids set up scenes with the figures.
- 24 day countdown: a surprise behind every door until Christmas.
The downside is a higher price than most toy calendars. At around $80, it is the premium choice for Nintendo families.
How to Choose the Best Gaming Advent Calendars
Gaming advent calendars vary a lot in contents, quality and price. Here is what to consider.
Contents and Value per Day
Divide the price by the number of doors to see the value per day. A $57 calendar with 24 figures works out to about $2.40 per day, which is reasonable for collectibles.
Theme and Recipient Fit
Match the calendar to the games they play. A Pokémon fan wants Pokémon, a horror fan will love Five Nights at Freddy's and a builder will enjoy LEGO.
Number of Days
Most calendars have 24 doors, starting December 1. Some include fewer, larger surprises, so check the listing.
Packaging and Reusability
Sturdy boxes can be kept and refilled next year. Flimsy cardboard calendars are usually single use.
Allergens and Ingredients
Chocolate calendars like the Super Mario chocolate calendar may contain milk, soy or nuts. Read the ingredient list before buying for kids with allergies.
Order Timing and Sell Out Risk
Popular calendars often sell out by late November. Buy early in November so it arrives before December 1.
Types of Gaming Advent Calendars
The table includes several styles to suit different fans.
Toy advent calendars
The Funko Pokémon and Five Nights at Freddy's countdown calendars, the Super Mario calendar and the Pokémon Holiday Calendar 2025 edition all hide figures behind each door.
Building brick calendars
The LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2026 includes mini builds and minifigures, perfect for fans of LEGO Star Wars games.
Food & drink advent calendars
The Super Mario Christmas Chocolate Advent Calendar costs around $10 and is a sweet, simple countdown for young fans.
Puzzle and game calendars
The Clue Advent Calendar turns the countdown into a family mystery game with daily clues and tokens, rated for ages 10 and up.
Calendars for Older Fans
Advent calendars are not just for kids. Many teens and adults collect Funko figures and LEGO minifigures, and the Five Nights at Freddy's countdown calendar is aimed squarely at older horror game fans. For a gamer who has everything, a calendar is a fun way to add a small daily moment to a busy December, and the figures often end up on a desk next to the console or PC.
How to Make an Advent Calendar Last All Season
A few simple habits make the countdown more fun.
Start Date and Daily Ritual
Open the first door on December 1 and pick a set time each day, such as after breakfast or before bed. It builds excitement and keeps siblings from opening ahead.
Refillable Calendars
Keep sturdy boxes and refill them next year with small gaming treats like amiibo cards, keychains or gift card codes.
Pairing with Holiday Traditions
Display the figures on the tree or a shelf as they come out. Hallmark Minecraft blind box mini ornaments make a fun add on that can hang right on the tree.
Gaming Advent Calendars by Budget
Prices change often in the run up to December, so check the table for current Amazon pricing.
Under $25
The Super Mario chocolate calendar at around $10, the Hallmark Minecraft blind box ornaments at around $11 and the Clue Advent Calendar at around $22 are easy, low cost picks.
$25 to $50
The Sonic 2026 calendar at around $33, the LEGO Star Wars 2026 calendar at around $35 and the Pokémon Holiday Calendar at around $50 offer a good balance of contents and price.
Over $50
The Funko Pokémon calendar at around $57, the Funko Five Nights at Freddy's calendar at around $73 and the Super Mario Nintendo calendar at around $80 are the premium options for dedicated fans and collectors.
Are Gaming Advent Calendars a Good Holiday Gift?
Yes. They are one of the most fun early gifts, since they arrive before Christmas and keep giving every day. The best gaming advent calendars also leave behind figures fans keep for years.
The top rated gaming advent calendars in our table have strong reviews from buyers who bought them for kids and adult collectors alike.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting until December is the biggest mistake, because popular calendars sell out and shipping slows. Another is choosing a theme the recipient does not follow.
Check the year on the box, since some listings sell last year's edition. Finally, read age ratings, as some calendars contain small parts that are not safe for young children.
If you are buying for siblings, consider one calendar each. Sharing a single calendar sounds sweet, but deciding who opens which door every morning can lead to more arguments than excitement.
FAQs
Quick answers to common advent calendar questions.
When should you buy an advent calendar?
Buy in early to mid November so it arrives well before December 1.
What is inside a gaming advent calendar?
Most contain mini figures, accessories or small building sets themed around a game. Some contain chocolate or puzzle clues.
Are gaming advent calendars worth the money?
Yes, for fans of the franchise. Figure calendars often cost less per figure than buying blind boxes individually.
Can you reuse an advent calendar?
Sturdy boxes can be refilled with your own small treats next year.
When should you buy gaming advent calendars for Christmas?
The safest window is early November, before stock runs low.
Final Thoughts
The best gaming advent calendars make the countdown to Christmas a daily highlight. The Funko Pokémon calendar is our top pick, the Sonic 2026 calendar is the best value and the Super Mario Nintendo calendar is the premium choice. Compare prices in the product table above, and see our guide to the best tech gifts for more ideas.
