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Even though it's only the beginning of September, the race to secure the best advent calendars of 2026 has officially begun. While the standard chocolate countdowns will be available for months, the brands behind some highly-coveted specialty sets — spanning rare craft liquor, luxury skincare, and limited-edition gourmet treats for every palette — are opening their pre-order windows right now and are likely to sell out long before Halloween.
To help you beat the holiday rush (and avoid the aftermarket markups) we are actively tracking the most anticipated early releases across the internet. Below is our curated guide to the top advent calendars you can buy (or pre-order) right now.
The top 10 advent calendars of 2026 (so far)
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A Provençal indulgence.An assortment of the brand's luxurious skin care, bath, and body favorites — including 4 full-size bestsellers from the brand's Almond and Shea Butter collections.
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Sell out riskFlaviar's annual tasting experience includes 24 premium global whiskeys and two collectible glasses. It's available for pre-order now, and is notorious for selling out well before the holiday season.
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It's a surprise!Get into the holiday spirit with Sugarfina's limited-edition Snoopy Advent Calendar. What's inside? It's a surprise! Join the waitlist and be the first in line to shop it when it launches.
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The cult classicThis 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.
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A naughty giftSpice up your holiday countdown with a 24-day box packed with premium intimate toys, games, and accessories designed for shared exploration. It's a daily invitation to connect.
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A show-stopping gift.Housed in a whimsical, beautifully illustrated keepsake box, this curated Anthropologie exclusive features 24 premium beauty, bath, and body surprises.
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For the Lego loverMake 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.
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A collector's delightThis jaw-dropping $1,400 centerpiece elevates the countdown in style with collectible crystal ornaments. It's a cool find for anyone who invests in heirloom-quality holiday decor.
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A multi-sensory countdownCrafted as an alpine retreat for the serious chocolate aficionado, this keepsake calendar features LED lighting, flocked snow roofs, and a built-in music module that plays festive tunes.
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For glowing skinInspired by the natural treasures of the ocean, this limited-edition calendar is packed with trial and full-size formulas including the brand's hero product — the R.N.A. Radical Firmness Anti-Aging Serum, which hydrates and firms.
Evergreen holiday advent calendars
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A silly delightLiven up the tree with some googly eyes. Each day for 12 days, you'll unbox a different whimsical wooden googly-eyed keepsake ornament from this countdown.
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For holiday bakersWhile there's nothing edible in this advent calendar, each day you'll unwrap a tool to aid in cookie baking, from a spatula to cookie cutters. This one is a sweet treat for the baker in your life.
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For craftersYarn lovers will enjoy this box, which features several animiguri crochet kits, plus lots of special crochet accessories. It thrills crochet beginners and pros alike.
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For budding magiciansNat Geo's advent calendar has 24 days of magic tricks to explore. This one will be fun for the whole family as your kiddo gets to surprise and delight you with their newly-learned tricks.
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For K-cup coffee loversTreat them to a new cup of copy each day with this K-Cup variety pack featuring classic and seasonal flavors.
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Festive self careIf you have to shower every day, you might as well make it fun. This set will make your December showers a little more memorable.
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Hours of enjoymentThis calendar is guaranteed to produce hours of fun and entertainment. First, you build the motorized train, and then each day, it delivers a new micro-build for them to assemble and enjoy.
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An interactive ornamentThis special wooden countdown ornament features a dial you can use to change the day and a QR code to scan for activities and a story.
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The purrrfect gift for a cat loverCat lovers and puzzle aficionados rejoice: there is finally the cat-themed puzzle Advent calendar of your dreams. Each day put together a different cat-themed puzzle; a countdown you can use year after year.
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A bone-fied good giftWish your pup a yappy holiday with this 24-day calendar, filled with your dog's favorite classic treats.
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