21 best traditional advent calendars for Christmas 2023

What is a traditional advent calendar?

A traditional advent calendar, much like any other, is a fun way to count down the days to Christmas. What makes it traditional, though, is the design.

Traditional advent calendars usually have a picture or illustration of a biblical scene either of a manger or the nativity, Father Christmas or St Nicholas, or a snowy, winter scene.

Most traditional advent calendars still have doors to open every day, behind them either a quote, festive poem, Christmas scene or a chocolate treat.

How long is a traditional advent calendar?

The number of doors on a traditional advent calendar varies between 12 days, 24 days and 25 days. Originally, traditional advent calendars had 12 doors to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas, but nowadays most of them have 24 or 25 doors starting from 1^st December until Christmas day.

Best Traditional Advent Calendars

Sara Miller Frosted Trees Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from John Lewis (£8.50)

Liberty Building Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Liberty (£12.95)

Moonlit Church Square Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Cards For Charity (£2.99)

Christmas Railway Tree Paper Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Fortnum & Mason (£22)

Winter Scene Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Oxfam Shop (£1.99)

Angela Harding Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Toast (£10.50)

London at Christmas Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Emma Bridgewater (£5.24)

Woodmansterne Snow Falling on Milan Cathedral Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from John Lewis (£9.99)

Fairytale Woodland Glow Christmas Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Penny Black (£5.99)

Illustrated National Gallery Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from The National Gallery (£8.50)

Partridge Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Greetings Cards (£4.50)

Santa Paper Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from WH Smith (£2.24)

Advent of Change Premium Charity Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from John Lewis (£34.95)

Music in the Street Musical Paper Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Fortnum & Mason (£38)

Woodmansterne Christmas Tree Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from John Lewis (£9.99)

Venchi Chocolate Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Selfridges (£13.99)

The Chocolate Shop Paper Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Fortnum & Mason (£20)

Christmas Street Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Museum Selection (£17.99)

Liberty Building Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Liberty (£9.95)

Woodmansterne Night Before Christmas Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from John Lewis (£5.99)

Fortnum's Musical Piccadilly Advent Calendar

• Buy it now from Fortnum & Mason (£175)