Advent calendars by number of doors
One door a day from 1 December to Christmas Eve is the rule, and most calendars keep it. A 25th door for Christmas Day, a twelve-door countdown from 13 December, and a handful of odd lengths are the exceptions, all of them below.
71% of the 868 calendars we list have 24 doors, 17% have 25 and 10% have 12; the rest run from 4 to 31.
Every length, and when it starts
The best 12-day calendars of 2026
All 12-day calendars
First pickBoots 12 Days of Scent 2026Our rating 4/5 · contents worth 4.0× the box price · 12 doors£119.52
Runner-upCharlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wonderland 2026Our rating 4/5 · contents worth 1.8× the box price · 12 doors$315
Also worth itElizabeth Arden 12 Days 2026Our rating 4/5 · contents worth 3.5× the box price · 12 doors$90The best 25-day calendars of 2026
All 25-day calendars
The rare lengths, box by box
4 doorsDior Le Mini 30 Montaigne 2024Editors’ pick · 4 doors$198
6 doorsMissoma Fine Jewellery 2025contents worth 1.3× the box price · 6 doors£1,395
6 doorsMissoma Gold 2026contents worth 2.8× the box price · 6 doors£249
6 doorsMissoma Silver 2026contents worth 2.6× the box price · 6 doors£239
6 doorsMissoma Solid Gold 2026contents worth 1.3× the box price · 6 doors£1,295
7 doorsSephora Collection Moving Lights Post-holiday7 doors159 zł
7 doorsDouglas Collection MakeUp After christmas7 doors€19.99
7 doorsLovehoney Romance 2026Our rating 4/5 · contents worth 2.4× the box price · 7 doors$129
7 doorsMaison Margiela REPLICA 7-Day Holiday Calendar 2026Our rating 3.5/5 · 7 doors$119
16 doorsTIRTIR 2024 Makeup & SkincareEditors’ pick · contents worth 1.7× the box price · 16 doors$169
30 doorsLatest in Beauty The Grooming Kit Advent Edition 2026Our rating 4/5 · contents worth 7.1× the box price · 30 doors£99
31 doorsHalloween CountdownOur rating 4/5 · 31 doors$35.99
31 doorsMaybelline New York 31 daysEditors’ pick · 31 doors72,35 €
31 doorsMaybelline Beautiful Holidays 2026Our rating 4/5 · 31 doors69,99 €
31 doorsMaybelline Happy Holidays 31 Days 2025Our rating 3.5/5 · 31 doors€69.99Frequently asked questions
How many doors does an advent calendar have?
Usually 24, one for each day from 1 to 24 December: 71% of the 868 advent calendars we list. 17% have 25, adding Christmas Day, and 10% have 12, which start on 13 December. The rest run from 4 to 31 doors.
Why do some advent calendars have 25 doors?
The 25th door is for Christmas morning, and it is mostly a beauty-box habit: 71% of the 25-door calendars we list are beauty, against 35% of the 24-door ones.
When do you open the first door?
On 1 December for 24 and 25 doors; for a shorter calendar that ends on Christmas Eve, count back from the 24th: a 12-door box starts on 13 December. The start-date page dates every length.