Once upon a time, the only thing you’d find behind an advent calendar’s window or door (a controversial debate for another time) was a picture, which was a little anticlimactic for all involved. Then, one happy day, chocolate advent calendars were invented to turbo-charge the countdown to Christmas for children. Fast forward a few years to 2025, when there are more advent calendars marketed at adults than there are at children, the likes of which range from alcohol to coffee and tea, miniature beauty products, stationery and pretty much any other small item you can think of. You can even get one for your pet.
Now, we’re not sticks in the mud, and certainly aren’t saying that 24 mini bottles of gin in December could ever be a bad thing, but when it comes to the Christmas countdown, we reckon chocolate calendars still come up trumps. Let’s be honest, is there anything better when waking up on a cold morning wishing you didn’t have to leave the house, than suddenly remembering that there’s an unopened door on your choccie-packed calendar?
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Now we know deep down that chocolate shouldn’t really be part of your breakfast, but that adds to the indulgence of it all, and arguably the small bite-sized squares you get in an advent calendar taste even better than a full-sized bar as a result. The issue comes when making the decision as to which one, or in our case how many, you’re going to commit to buying this year, with so many different options on offer.
For that reason, we’ve put together a few of our favourites, to help make your decision on which one to get that much easier. So go on, leave the kids to their Kinnerton abominations and treat yourself - we've rounded up the best chocolate advent calendars for 2025 so you can start planning your countdown to Christmas, from hot chocolate samplers to incredible luxury creations.
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Best dark chocolate advent calendars
Dark chocolate is good for you; that’s what we’re always hearing on the foodie grapevine (which is generally considered to be 100% accurate), so by treating yourself to one of these dark chocolate calendars, you’re actually making a healthy lifestyle choice – good for you!
Hotel Chocolat Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar
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What: We’ve included quite a few Hotel Chocolat advent calendars in our round-up this year, but then that is what these guys do best. Deep and smooth, with rich cacao notes, this 70% advent calendar contains 24 dark chocolate reindeer, snowmen, penguins and enchanted spruces. Indulgently rich, it’s a great way to countdown to the big day.
How much: £13.95
Buy now: Hotel Chocolat Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar
Laderach Advent Calendar Pralines Selection Noir
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What: Beloved Swiss chocolatier Laderach might be best known for its indulgent FrischSchoggi, but chocolate connoisseurs will be more than satisfied with any of their advent calendars. Behind each of the 24 festively decorated doors you’ll find the most intricately crafted pralines, with everything from dark chocolate pine cones to citrussy yuzu pralines. Chocolates range from 64% to 80%, making it the ultimate dark chocolate indulgence.
How much: £45
Where to buy: Laderach Advent Calendar Pralines Selection Noir
Divine Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar
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What: Affordable, ethical, and irresistibly indulgent, Divine's 70% dark chocolate calendar is bound to bring a touch of sophistication to this Christmas. Behind its 24 doors, you'll find 24 deliciously smooth chocolates - the perfect treat each morning. Not only that, Divine holds the title of the 'world's only farmer-owned Fairtrade chocolate maker' meaning you can chomp away knowing you're doing your bit for championing Fairtrade sellers.
How much: £7.50
Buy now: Divine Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar
Best milk chocolate advent calendars
Milk is good for you; that’s what we’re always hearing on th… Who are we kidding? You’re in this section because you like creamy milk chocolate, which is lucky as we’ve listed some of the best milk chocolate calendars in stores and online this year. From the inexpensive to the downright fancy, you’re sure to find a milk chocolate advent calendar you like the look of here.
Lindt Pick & Mix Advent Calendar
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What: If Lindt’s silky smooth milk chocolate gets your mouth watering, then this is the chocolate advent calendar for you. If you’re anything like us, you’ll normally have a box of Lindor truffles stashed away somewhere come mid-November, but this new advent calendar allows you to pick and choose your favourite flavours into one personalised calendar. Keep it classic with the milk truffles, or mix it up with a wide variety of unique flavours, including raspberries and cream, popcorn or pistachio.
How much: £17.50
Buy now: Lindt Pick & Mix Advent Calendar
Cadbury Dairy Milk Lotus Biscoff Chocolate Chunk Advent Calendar
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What: The only thing better than a Cadbury Dairy Milk calendar is one with added Biscoff pieces. For 2025, Cadbury has teamed up with Lotus to bring you the ultimate festive treat. Behind each of the 24 doors you’ll find a mix of classic Dairy Milk chunks and new creations packed with silky smooth Biscoff spread and crunchy Biscoff pieces. It’s the perfect pairing for chocolate lovers who can’t get enough of that biscuity Biscoff flavour.
How much: £7.79
Buy now: Cadbury Dairy Milk Lotus Biscoff Chocolate Chunk Advent Calendar
Birley Bakery Chocolate Advent Calendar
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What: Birley Bakery has a whole range of festive offerings for 2025, but its advent calendars might just be the highlight. This gorgeously artistic box comes packed full of unique hand-crafted treats - with one a day in the run up to Christmas. Expect everything from classic dark chocolate and hazelnut, and white chocolate options, with more adventurous flavours including strawberry and sour cherry or cappuccino chocolate.
How much: £20
Where to buy: Birley Bakery Chocolate Advent Calendar
Melt Portobello Advent Calendar
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What: Never one to shy away from extravagance, the much-loved Portobello Advent Calendar returns for 2025 with a stunning new look. Inspired by the famous Portobello Market, this calendar also draws inspiration from filmmaker Wes Anderson with its pastel, whimsical aesthetic. Behind the 24 hand-painted doors you’ll get a variety of shapes and flavours, from blonde chocolate with pecan praline to milk chocolate with Biscoff.
How much: £44.99
Where to buy: Melt Portobello Advent Calendar
Lindt 3D TEDDY Advent Calendar
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What: Lindt’s 3D TEDDY calendar has been a classic for years, and in our opinion, you can’t go wrong with this Swiss chocolatiers creamy chocolates. Inside, you’ll find all of Lindt's finest Christmas goodies - think mini milk santas and reindeers, alongside mini milk LINDOR chocolates and snowdrops. Plus, a couple of larger treats as you get closer to the big day.
How much: £25
Where to buy: Lindt 3D TEDDY Advent Calendar
Montezuma’s Organic Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar
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What: Montezuma’s chocolate calendar is sustainability-focused, 100% recyclable, and free from palm oil - plus everything is handcrafted right here in the UK - in case you needed any more convincing. This organic milk chocolate option is packed full of top-tier chocs, perfect for those wanting to keep it classic. Plus, there’s 25 doors to open, so you won't have to go without on Christmas day.
How much: £18
Where to buy: Montezuma's Organic Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar
Monty Bojangles Purrs Advent Calendar
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What: We love Monty Bojangles truffles all year round, with their unique cocoa dusted chocolates that come in a variety of flavours. Styled to look like the brand’s beloved Purrs box, this gorgeously illustrated calendar is as eye-catching as it is delicious. Each day brings indulgent Belgian chocolates housing a creamy, truffle centre. In our opinion, there’s no better way to get through those cold winter mornings.
How much: £21.50
Buy now: Monty Bojangles Purrs Advent Calendar
Tony’s Chocolonely Big Countdown Calendar
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What: Tony’s Chocolonely not only tastes great, but the business is also trying to make the world a better place. With Fairtrade sourcing and a mission to end exploitation in the cocoa industry, we think it’s safe to say these are some pretty good guys. The chocolate is chunky and addictive, and this countdown calendar offers ten different flavours of chocolate, including dark chocolate with pretzel and toffee pieces as well as the milk chocolate caramel sea salt. Available in both the 'big' or 'smaller' countdown options, you can decide how much chocolate you fancy this season.
How much: £16.99
Buy now: Tony’s Chocolonely Big Countdown Calendar
Cadbury's Dairy Milk Advent Calendar
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What: Dairy Milk is Christmas for so many of us, and December wouldn't be the same without a little morsel of Dairy Milk chocolate every morning. Windows (or doors) in a neat grid, with a little chunk of British chocolate (owned by Americans now but whatever) behind each one. There's no messing with a classic. And at just over a couple of quid, it's perfect if you want something cheap and cheerful to mark the Christmas countdown.
How much: £3.28
Buy now: Cadbury's Dairy Milk Advent Calendar
Thorntons Personalised Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar
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What: This child-friendly treat-filled calendar gives you change from a tenner while also making sure you get a proper chocolate hit. Hiding behind each door is a sweet little milk chocolate shape which will keep you guessing day to day, and you can get the Christmas Eve choc personalised with a name on it. If you've got a big brood, Thorntons often does special offers on multiple calendars, so make sure to keep an eye out in the run up to Christmas.
How much: £8.50
Buy now: Thorntons Personalised Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar
Best vegan chocolate advent calendars
With more and more of us turning to veganism and looking to reduce our dairy intake, vegan chocolate is booming, and there are some fantastic vegan chocolate offerings out there nowadays. Thankfully, going vegan doesn't mean you have to miss out on the advent calendar fun!
Chococo Plant-Based Advent Calendar
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What: Chococo's much loved Christmas countdown boxes are beloved by many - and now vegans need not miss out with this plant-based alternative. You'll get 25 different flavoured, hand-crafted chocolates (so you'll even have one to enjoy on Christmas day) made with either 72% dark chocolate or oat milk. In each box you'll find all the Chococo classics such as marzipan, tangerine and ginger, with honeycomb, chai spice, and a couple of boozier options also seeing you through to the big day, including a brand new Scallyway Whisky option.
How much: £37.50
Buy now: Chococo Plant-Based Advent Calendar
M&S Made Without Dairy Advent Calendar
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What: You can always trust M&S to cover all bases at Christmas, and this vegan-friendly advent calendar proves the point. Back for another year with a fresh new look, the ‘Made Without Dairy’ calendar is filled with 24 vegan-friendly chocolates, offering a cheap and cheerful festive countdown this winter.
How much: £4.50
Buy now: M&S Made Without Dairy Advent Calendar
Best white chocolate advent calendars
Super-creamy and tooth-achingly sweet, white chocolate is, quite frankly, delicious. Dentists might not recommend it every day, but we do, which is why we’ve selected some of the best white chocolate calendars available this year for your consideration.
Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme Advent Calendar
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What: If white chocolate is your guilty pleasure, Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme advent calendar might be the perfect choice. Tucked behind its 24 doors you’ll find Hershey’s famous white chocolate kisses packed full of crunchy cookie pieces, as well as snack-size bars to keep you going throughout December. A full-size bar is waiting behind the final door, making for the ultimate Christmas Eve treat.
How much: £6.50
Buy now: Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme Advent Calendar
Hotel Chocolat White Chocolate Advent Calendar
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What: If you’re one of those people who finds white chocolate too sweet, you should know that unlike most other brands, the main ingredient in Hotel Chocolat’s white chocolate is cacao butter, not sugar. Translation? It’s creamy, melty, and not too sweet. Presuming you’re sold, pick up Hotel Chocolat’s white chocolate advent calendar ASAP and get ready to count down to the big day with 24 white chocolate Santas, snowmen, penguins and enchanted spruces.
How much: £13.95
Buy now: Hotel Chocolat White Chocolate Advent Calendar
Best hot chocolate advent calendars
If you prefer to drink your chocolate as the cold nights draw in, you’ll love our hand-picked selection of hot chocolate calendars below. Each one contains individual sachets of delicious hot chocolate powder that promise to bring a bit of warmth to those frosty December days.
Yawn Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar
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What: MugCocoa’s small batch craft chocolate has been designed to transform hot milk into deliciously smooth hot chocolate. These guys have included some tempting winter warmers in their hot chocolate advent calendar selection, including (but not limited to) Carrot Cake, Enchanted Forest, Sticky Toffee, Caramel Rum Bud and Winter Spice. This calendar is included in milk and dark chocolate varieties, in case you have a preference!
How much: £29.99
Buy now: Yawn Hot Chocolate Advent Calendar
Hotel Chocolat The Velvetiser Drinking Chocolate Advent Calendar
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What: These hot chocolate experts have really pulled out all the stops with this year’s calendar. Whilst there’s no Velvetiser included (perhaps this is a good excuse to treat yourself to one) these sachets work just as well on the hob. Flavours for this year include everything from salted caramel and peanut butter, to black forest gateau and pumpkin spice, so you can keep cosy on those cold December evenings.
How much: £50
Buy now: Hotel Chocolat The Velvetiser Drinking Chocolate Advent Calendar
Best luxury chocolate advent calendars
We know our readers are a discerning lot, hence this selection of luxury chocolate advent calendars. Naturally they’re a bit pricier than your standard supermarket advent calendar, but you only have to take a look at the beautifully-designed packaging to know that the chocolate within is going to be incredible.
Charbonnel et Walker The Bond Street 1875 Advent Calendar
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What: Charbonnel et Walker doesn't do things by halves, and this luxurious calendar is no exception. This year the chocolatier is celebrating 150 years of decadence, with this advent calendar that's as elegant as it is delicious. Designed to mirror the original store front, it even lights up with battery-powered lights - for an extra festive touch. Behind each door you'll find plenty of treats from dark orange cream to milk hazelnut cream with gold leaf, with a box of their iconic truffles waiting for Christmas day.
How much: £150
Where to buy: Charbonnel et Walker The Bond Street 1875 Advent Calendar
Melt Log House Cabin Advent Calendar
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What: For those looking to add an extra touch of winter magic to their advent season, it has to be Melt's Log Cabin calendar. Inspired by Ralph Lauren's Colorado cabin, as well as those classic chalets found in the Alps, Melt's idyllic mountainside retreat doubles up as the perfect bit of decor. It's equally delicious, boasting bespoke, organic chocolate behind its 24 doors, including gingerbread, caramel, cinnamon and oat, Speculoos praline and more.
How much: £79.99
Buy now: Melt Log House Cabin Advent Calendar
Bettys Advent Calendar
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What: It's hard not to like the look of a fabric advent calendar - they just have a touch of class to them and feel a little more homely than a standard cardboard number. However, the issue that usually comes with fabric advent calendars is that you need to buy the chocolate separately to put in each pocket, which rather ruins the surprise. However, Bettys has come to the rescue with its luxury fabric advent calendar which comes with 24 novelty chocolates inside the pockets already. Now that really is the best of both worlds.
How much: £60
Buy now: Bettys Advent Calendar
Chococo Classic Advent Calendar
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What: We love Chococo’s advent calendars and selection boxes and for 2025, they're back and better than ever. Now complete with 25 doors, you get 25 unique, individually handcrafted chocolates which we think is pretty good value for money. This year's calendar showcases a number of new flavours including purely pistachio, cocoa fruit caramel, earl grey tea and more. Plus, it's completely plastic free - so you can chomp away guilt free!
How much: £37.50
Buy now: Chococo Classic Advent Calendar
Fortnum's Favourites Truffle Advent Calendar
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What: Self-restraint is the key to enjoying an advent calendar properly, but when it comes to Fortnum’s truffle selection advent calendar, it’s definitely going to be tested. Opening this extravagant box reveals 25 doors, behind which 25 festive truffles are concealed. Marc de Champagne, salted caramel, sea salt gianduja, raspberry, and the exclusive clement truffle, all of which sound as festive as can be.
How much: £40
Buy now: Fortnum's Favourites Truffle Advent Calendar
Pierre Marcolini ‘Art Deco Christmas’ Advent Calendar
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What: A typically beautiful advent box from Brussels-based chocolatier Pierre Marcolini. Inside this intricately decorated 1920s-inspired box, you’ll find the full spectrum of Marcolini creations, each showcasing the same attention to detail. Tuck into delicate pralines, indulgent truffles, hearts, Petits Bonjeurs, and plenty more - the perfect way to countdown until the big day.
How much: £54
Buy now: Pierre Marcolini ‘Art Deco Christmas’ Advent Calendar
Hotel Chocolat The Advent Calendar For Two
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What: Designed for sharing, Hotel Chocolat’s latest advent calendar is perfect for those who always find themselves fighting over the chocolates. Each window hides a pair of identical mini truffles in flavours ranging from gingerbread praline and raspberry rush to salted caramel cream and Madagascan vanilla. With a mix of milk, white and dark chocolate, there’s plenty of variety - though if you’d rather not share, we won’t judge. Double chocolate each day sounds rather festive to us.
How much: £29.95
Buy now: Hotel Chocolat The Advent Calendar For Two
Lindt Chocolate Factory Advent Calendar
![Lindt chocolate factory advent calendar]()
What: As well as a whole host of favourites that are returning this year, master chocolatier Lindt has a couple of new tricks up its sleeve this winter, including this rather magical Chocolate Factory calendar. Doubling up as a bit of Christmas decor, as well as a tasty countdown for December, behind its 24 doors you’ll find a variety of LINDOR truffles and Lindt chocolate treats. In our experience, there’s nothing quite like a Lindt chocolate or two to keep you going until Christmas. Buy online or pick up in select Lindt stores.
How much: £22
Buy now: Lindt Chocolate Factory Advent Calendar
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If you're on the hunt for Christmas gifts and you want something a little more impressive than an advent calendar, this list of 2025's best Christmas hampers is for you.