Honestly, the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 feels like a weird time capsule. Most years, these boxes are just a collection of random droids and gray blocks that end up at the bottom of a toy bin by January 2nd. But 2024 was the 25th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars. That changed the math.
Instead of just filler, we got a set that basically functions as a "Greatest Hits" album. It’s set 75395. It has 368 pieces. If you’ve been collecting since the 1999 launch, opening these doors feels like a punch of nostalgia right in the gut. But if you're just looking for cool minifigures, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
What’s Actually Inside the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024
Let's get real about the "exclusives." Usually, the big draw for the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 is the festive-themed minifigure. In the past, we've had Darth Vader in a sweater or Chewbacca covered in snow. This year, the "holiday" figures are Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in their festive outfits.
Luke is wearing a blue sweater with a Death Star pattern. It’s cute. Leia’s is similar. But the real star for collectors is actually the white-bearded "Christmas" version of a certain character that usually gets passed over.
Wait. Let’s back up.
The micro-builds are where the 25th-anniversary theme really shines. They didn't just pick random ships. They picked ships that represent specific eras of the LEGO brand’s history. You get a micro-scale version of the 1999 X-wing. You get the 2013 Republic Gunship. You even get a tiny version of the Crimson Firehawk from Young Jedi Adventures. It’s a massive span of time covered in tiny, palm-sized builds.
Some people hate micro-builds. I get it. They feel like "filler" when you're paying fifty bucks. But these specific ones are designed to mimic the box art and building styles of those original sets. It’s meta. It’s LEGO making a set about LEGO.
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The Minifigure Lineup Breakdown
You get five minifigures and one battle droid. That's standard.
- Holiday Luke Skywalker: The blue sweater is the winner here.
- Holiday Princess Leia: Matches Luke, great for a diorama.
- 501st Clone Trooper: People always want more clones. Honestly, you can never have enough of these guys if you’re building an army.
- Ahsoka Tano: This is the version from the Ahsoka series.
- Super Battle Droid: This was a big deal because these guys were gone for years.
There’s also a Praetorian Guard. If you’re a fan of The Mandalorian Season 3, this is the figure you’re hunting for. The red armor pops against the usual gray and white of a Star Wars collection.
Why This Year Felt Different (And Maybe Better)
Most advent calendars have a lot of "junk" days. You know the ones. You open the door and it’s a weapon rack. Or a moisture vaporator that uses four pieces. The LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 still has some of that, but the weapon racks are at least themed to the specific eras of the anniversary.
The 25th-anniversary logo is everywhere. It’s on the box. It’s in the soul of the builds.
You’ve got to look at the value proposition. Retail price was $44.99 USD. Is 368 pieces worth $45? In terms of raw plastic, no. But the "Star Wars Tax" is real. Plus, you’re paying for the experience of the 24-day countdown. If you break it down, you're paying about $1.87 per day. That’s cheaper than a mediocre cup of coffee and significantly more fun.
The "Hidden" Game Element
LEGO tried something slightly different with the 2024 layout. They encouraged fans to use the fold-down playmat not just as a display, but as a chronological timeline. You start with the 1999-era builds and progress through the years as you get closer to Christmas Eve.
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It’s a small touch. Most kids (and adults, let's be honest) will just scatter the builds across a table. But for the hardcore fans, it’s a neat way to visualize how the building techniques have evolved. The 1999 X-wing micro-build is blocky and primitive on purpose. The modern era ships use much more sophisticated SNOT (Studs Not On Top) techniques.
The Controversy Over the Festive Figures
Some fans were annoyed. "Why just sweaters?" they asked. In previous years, we got a Gonk Droid dressed as a present. We got Darth Vader in a tank top. A sweater feels "safe."
But there’s a nuance here. The sweaters are actually high-quality prints. They aren't stickers. LEGO fans generally value unique torso prints because they can be swapped onto other characters. If you want to put Han Solo in a Christmas sweater, now you have the parts to do it.
And let’s talk about the Super Battle Droid. It’s not "festive," but its inclusion in the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 was a strategic move by LEGO. They knew collectors were desperate for that specific mold to return. Putting it in an advent calendar is a genius way to drive sales from people who might otherwise skip the "holiday" sets.
Is it Still Worth Buying Post-Holiday?
Now that the 2024 season has passed, you might find this set on clearance. Or, more likely, the price is starting to creep up on the secondary market like BrickLink or eBay.
If you find it for under $35, grab it. The 501st Trooper and the Praetorian Guard alone cover a decent chunk of that value. If you're a "completionist" who needs every 25th-anniversary set, this is a non-negotiable.
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But if you just want Star Wars LEGO, you might be better off buying a Battle Pack. You get more "meat" and less "snack."
The LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 is, at its core, a celebration. It’s a way to mark a quarter-century of a partnership that arguably saved LEGO from bankruptcy in the late 90s.
What to Do with the Pieces Afterward
Don't just throw the micro-builds into a bin. Here are a few ways people are actually using them:
- Christmas Tree Ornaments: Add a small string or a LEGO hook piece. They are light enough that they won't weigh down the branches.
- Office Desk Fidgets: The micro-scale Millennium Falcon is basically the perfect size to keep next to a keyboard.
- MOC (My Own Creation) Details: Use the specialized parts from the micro-builds to add detail to larger Star Wars dioramas.
Final Verdict on the 2024 Release
The LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2024 isn't the best one ever made, but it's certainly in the top five. The anniversary theme gives it a cohesive feeling that many previous years lacked. Instead of a random assortment, it feels like a curated journey.
You get the nostalgia. You get the droids. You get the sweaters.
It’s a solid B+ from a brand that knows exactly how to tug on the heartstrings of grown adults who still spend their Saturdays building plastic spaceships.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
If you're looking to add this to your collection now, follow these steps to ensure you don't get ripped off:
- Check Local Inventory: Believe it or not, some big-box retailers like Walmart or Target often have "lost" stock in the back months after December. Use inventory checkers to see if a local store has one gathering dust at a discount.
- Verify the Minifigures: If buying "Open Box" on eBay, specifically look at the Luke and Leia sweaters. There are many fakes or older versions that look similar but lack the 2024-specific prints.
- Keep the Box: For this specific year, the box art is actually worth saving. It features unique 25th-anniversary graphics that won't be repeated. If you’re a reseller, a pristine box can increase the value by 20% in a few years.
- Download the Digital Instructions: LEGO sometimes removes older seasonal instructions from their main landing pages. Go to the LEGO Builder app and save the PDF for set 75395 so you always have the guides for those 24 tiny builds.