As we have seen from this month’s LEGO Store Calendar, those who will be making their next LEGO purchase starting on Monday is in for another brick treat. For every single-receipt purchase of any LEGO products or merchandise worth $80 and above from January 13 to 26 will entitle you to an exclusive LEGO Year of the Rat (40355) set as a way of celebrating the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.
And if you want to see what you can expect from this set, LEGO servers are now updated to include several official images of this set. Take a look.
LEGO Year of the Rat (40355)
Similar to last year’s LEGO Year of the Pig (40186) promotional set, this newest member of the Chinese zodiac-inspired LEGO set comes with a variety of play features and points of articulation. It comes in 162 pieces and has posable ears and paws and a movable tail and head. It comes with a bit of LEGO foliage pieces on top of a circular base similar to its predecessors.
If you recall back in May of last year, LEGO Ideas launched a particular contest that celebrates its 10th year anniversary as a LEGO theme. The LEGO Ideas 10th Year Anniversary Fan Vote sought to bring together some of the best unapproved LEGO Ideas projects that reached 10K fan support. Fans of these projects were given a chance once more to show their love and support for these would-be sets, for a chance to become the first official LEGO Ideas set to be launched in 2020. With a total of 46% fan votes and after almost 7 months of waiting, the LEGO Ideas International Space Station (21321) is now on its way to a LEGO Store near you.
Now thanks to Promobricks, we now have our first look at this brick-built version of the Internatioanl Space Station. The announcement came via a store flyer promoting an in-store signing event together with the set’s fan designer Christoph Ruge (aka XCLD over at LEGO Ideas platform). The signing event will be held at the LEGO Store in Nuremberg, Germany. Check out the flyer below.
Image credit: PicsLed via Instagram.
According to Promobricks, the LEGO Ideas International Space Station (21321) will retail for 69.99 Euros and will be available on January 31st. There’s no confirmation yet if the release date of this first 2020 LEGO Ideas set will be the same for the rest of the world. But I guess an official announcement from LEGO is in order pretty soon.
Though there is no word yet regarding the number of pieces for this set, the price range may suggest that it may approximately consist of 900 to 1,000 pieces, with tons of solar panel tile pieces. It’s hard to figure out based on the flyer if these are printed pieces, but its equally baffling if these will turn out to be stickers. The horror of placing them on such a number of pieces! It may be wishful thinking on my part considering that LEGO still has to release an official printed tile piece to act as solar panels, but let’s wait and see. Traditionally, LEGO has only issued stickers for other related sets, especially prominent with the LEGO City Space sets that were released last year. I can just imagine the difficulty of aligning the stickers on these plate and flag pieces if they eventually turn out to be as such.
Since 2018, there have been some rumors circling around the LEGO community that LEGO is set to launch a new theme surrounding a brick-built jewelry and accessory lines catering to young girls. Initially thought to be labeled as LEGO iCreate having a 2019 release date, we now have confirmation that this newest girl accessory line is now named LEGO Dots, expected to arrive in LEGO Stores in March of this year.
This confirmation came in the way of the Italian LEGO Catalog for this first half of the year. Similar to LEGO’s announcement of the arrival of five (5) LEGO Minion sets, there’s nothing much to see about this particular page for LEGO Dots. The way the images are laid out suggests that these brick accessories are something that LEGO fangirls will be surely excited about.
Perhaps the closest that we can imagine how LEGO Dots will look like is if we go compare it to what LEGO did with its Clikits theme way back in 2003 when it began as a sort of a collection LEGO stationery sets. Since then until 2006, the theme itself saw as much as 80 and more sets that encouraged younger LEGO fans to mix and match their accessories.
LEGO Clikits Tropical Breeze Jewels ‘n’ More (7546) from 2006.
I really don’t know exactly the reasons why LEGO decided to pull the plug on LEGO Clikits after a good 4-year run and 80+ sets released under the said theme. Perhaps for some good reason, LEGO saw it fit to revive a similar theme catering to a new generation of LEGO fans receptive enough for its return. Whatever is the case, it is interesting to see how LEGO will somehow consolidate all of its accessories and LEGO jewelry line under one theme. As a LEGO fan builder, I’m also interested to see if LEGO will introduce new parts that may also have practical value in terms of building, or will it largely be the same as with Clikits which were almost entirely only for aesthetic purposes. We just have to wait and see.
This week, LEGO has launched its first build-and- take in-store event of the year that most LEGO fans will love to have. The LEGO Newsstand is actually a nice mini build that complements this year’s modular LEGO Creator Expert Bookshop(10270) which was released at the turn of the year. And in case you missed out on this opportunity of grabbing the LEGO Newsstand, you’ll be happy to know that Instagram user theflannelbrick has uploaded and shared its building instructions so let’s take a look.
Coming in at 155 pieces, the LEGO Newsstand features plenty of small parts that can be a bit challenging for newbie LEGO builders. Nevertheless, the final build, notwithstanding the instability of the shelf, is pretty much impressive in itself. As a free set, I really appreciate what LEGO did here: throwing in a minifigure with accessories, two printed newspaper tile, and several hard to find parts like those trans clear blue flag pieces used for the roof. If LEGO opted to make this as a retail set, then it will certainly hit the $10 or more price point, giving us a vignette kind of set similar to what LEGO offers with its seasonal sets. Remember smaller seasonal sets like 2015’s Painting Easter Eggs (40121) and Thanksgiving Feast (40123) and you’ll get the idea.
As I said, I’m not just quite sure if the rest of the parts are readily available but you can still try to search for them over at Bricklink.
The LEGO Creator Expert Bookshop (10270) is currently available at LEGO Shop@Home retailing for $179.99. It features a 3-story modular build that comes with a display window, reading nook, an open-out design, and five (5) minifigs. If you’re still planning to get this set and wish to know more, just click on the link above.
The LEGO Certified Store (LCS) in Taiwan is currently running a promotion to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. Though these are obviously regional exclusives not found in any other LEGO brand store, these are pretty impressive themselves and worth having in your LEGO shopping cart. Let’s take a look at these cool LEGO Taiwan Chinese New Year promotions.
Frankly, we’ve seen a couple of LCS-related promos in the Asia Pacific Region that are impressive in themselves, reflecting the unique culture and traditions of the country. If you recall, there are last year’s Toys R Us Bricktober promos found in TRU stores in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. We also saw LCS Taiwan’s LEGO 60th Commemorative Pen Holder promo which is both a nice desktop and display set rolled into one. And now to mark the celebration of this year’s Chinese New Year on January 25th, LEGO fans in Taiwan have the following collectible sets to look forward to, guaranteed for every single-receipt qualifying purchases.
LEGO fans who will make qualifying purchases from January 1 to 12, will be entitled to a free buildable LEGO Traditional Drum as seen below. Similarly, those who will opt to make their next LEGO purchase from January 13 to 22 will also get an exclusive LEGO Red Candy Box; while those who will make qualifying purchases from January 1st until the 22nd will also get the LEGO Flower Vase. The way the promos are scheduled suggests that purchases made on any single date during these promo periods will allow you to claim at the most, two LEGO freebies.
LEGO Traditional Drum Promotional – available at the LEGO Certified Store in Taiwan from January 1 to 12, 2020.LEGO Red Candy Box Promotional – available at the LEGO Certified Store in Taiwan from January 13 to 22, 2020.LEGO Flower Vase Promotional – available at the LEGO Certified Store in Taiwan from January 1 to 22, 2020.
Currently, the LEGO Traditional Drum promotional is now live in LCS Taiwan and if you want to give it a try and build yourself one, Brickfinder was kind enough to share the building instructions for this set. Hopefully, we can also have similar building instructions for two remaining promotional sets. I’m particularly looking forward to that LEGO Flower Vase once it becomes available.
If you have plans of visiting any of LEGOLAND’s nineteen (19) Parks and Discovery Centers, then be sure to check with their own LEGO Store for this year’s first park exclusive building set. It has been customary for LEGOLAND to offer a couple of limited-edition sets that sees the park’s main attractions rendered in brick form. And for the start of this year, they are offering the LEGOLAND Fire Academy (40393).
Like those before it, the LEGOLAND Fire Academy (40393) is based on the park’s Fire Academy attraction where visitors can ride a fire truck and shoot down some make-believe “fire hazards” over windows and buildings. To bring home a piece of this park attraction, then you may want to head over at the LEGO Store inside the park. The LEGOLAND Fire Academy (40393) comes in at 221 pieces with 3 minifigs, and you can purchase this set for $17.99.
It’s a pretty straightforward consisting of a fire truck, a two-story building facade, a stud shooter-equipped water cannon, and a mini-map. LEGO Customer Service has uploaded this set’s building instructions if you want to give it a try recreating this set using your own LEGO pieces. I guess the only limiting part will be the newer Dark Stone Grey Botton Wagon Assembly which is also available in the LEGO City Barbecue Burn Out (60212). Of course, you can opt for other similar color variants that are more readily available. Check out this parts list and see if you can complete all the required pieces.
As we literally count the days before we say goodbye to 2019, LEGO has now given us a glimpse of things to come with their January 2020 LEGO Store Calendar. Those who are looking forward to the majority LEGO 2020 sets – ranging from the City, Technic, Ninjago and Creator themes just to name a few – that will launch at the turn of the year, you’ll be glad to know that LEGO is throwing in a good number of promos and freebies to watch out for. You may download a copy of the calendar right here as we breakdown each of these freebies.
Free LEGO Turquoise (853380) or Purple (853379) Keychain
Promo period: January 1 – 12, 2020
From January 1 to 12, every single-receipt purchase of any LEGO product or merchandise equivalent to $35 USD or more, will entitle you to a free LEGO Keychain either in Turquoise or Purple variants. It’s not really that much, but I like the vibrant colors of these 2×4 bricks and I wouldn’t mind having them as part of my usual gears and accessories.
Free LEGO Year of the Rat (40355) Seasonal Set
Promo period: January 13 to 26, 2020
Following the tradition of seasonal Chinese New Year sets, LEGO now releases its 7th promotional set based on the Chinese zodiac. Last year we saw LEGO offering the Year of the Pig (40186) set, and for 2020 it is the adorable Metal Rat’s turn to have a LEGO set dedicated to it. Those who will opt to make their LEGO purchases from January 13 to 26 equivalent to $80 USD and above will get the exclusive LEGO Year of the Rat (40355) set. These seasonal freebies are usually highly sought after so expect these to have a rather short period of availability.
Free Collectible LEGO Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi Collectible Minifigure (30624)
Promo period: December 6, 2019 to January 31, 2020
Following the subtheme of the LEGO Star Wars 20th Anniversary Edition sets, this limited edition LEGO Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi Collectible Minifigure (30624) does not come together with the aforementioned sets and is only available as an exclusive freebie from December 6, 2019 to January 31, 2020. For every single-receipt purchase of any LEGO Star Wars sets amounting to $40 USD, you’ll see this relatively rare minifig added to your cart. Since this has a longer promo period as compared to other deals, then we can somehow hope that LEGO has stacked up on this anniversary collectible.
Free Exclusive LEGO Hidden Side Drag Racer (40408)
Promo period: January 24 to February 9, 2020
Fans of LEGO’s new spooky-fun theme will be glad to know that LEGO is throwing in another freebie following its Newbury Juice Bar (40336) exclusive promotional released earlier in September. The LEGO Hidden Side Drag Racer (40408) will be added to your cart automatically for every LEGO purchase worth $45 USD and more made between January 24 to February 9, 2020. This has a lower qualifying purchase as compared to its predecessor. I really can’t figure much about the build based on this image, but I’m sure we’ll get better images soon.
Free Make-and-Take LEGO Creator Newsstand
Promo period: January 8, 2020
To celebrate the release of next year’s LEGO Creator Expert Bookshop (10270), LEGO Stores are offering a free make and take build in the form of the LEGO Creator Newsstand. I like the more compact design on this particular newsstand, which somewhat shows a marked improvement on what LEGO offered with the LEGO City Bus Station (60154) back in 2017. Similar to other in-store promos, this freebie will be exclusively available to those who will visit a local LEGO store to participate in this building event. Bear in mind that there are limited spaces available so be sure to sign-up in-store starting January 6. This activity is also intended for LEGO fans and participants ages 15 and above.
Free LEGO Lunar New Year Dragon Build
Promo period: January 23
LEGO celebrates 2020’s Chinese Lunar New Year with a free make-and-take build for younger LEGO fans. Visit your local LEGO brand store on January 23 to build a LEGO Lunar New Year Dragon to celebrate the festivities. Same as other in-store building events, this one also has limited space so registration is likewise required. Sign-ups will begin in-store starting January 6 and is intended for younger participants ages 6 to 14 years.
LEGO Star Wars Building Event – Choose Your Side
For the whole month of January, you may visit any of your local LEGO Store to build and try some of the latest LEGO Star Wars sets, and have it displayed together with your chosen squadron. It’s a great way to try some of these sets before you commit to purchasing them. And before you head out to your local LEGO Store, be sure to check out the upcoming 2020 LEGO Star Wars sets right here.
LEGO Creator Expert Bookshop (10270)LEGO Star Wars Poe Dameron’s X-wing Fighter (75273)LEGO Creator Townhouse Toy Store (31105)
It seems that LEGO might be pulling the plug earlier than expected from its first crowd-funded project. After the first images of the LEGO FORMA (81000) set began to appear on LEGO servers earlier in July, fans of the concept were hoping that it will be out soon. However, for some reason, it went from a roller coaster ride of being what it seems to be a limited, regional release to know being virtually discontinued.
LEGO has posted over its LEGO FORMA Indiegogo project page the decision that it will no longer be launching LEGO Forma (81000) in its current form without going to the specifics of why it decided to pull the plug at this early stage of the set’s release.
Based on these key learnings, we have decided that LEGO FORMA will not be launched further in its present form. We know there is a lot of love for the concept out there, and we will make sure all our learnings are fueled into the broader organization and taken into consideration for future concepts.
However, if there is any consolation that fans of this LEGO concept may have is the fact that LEGO Shop@Home in the UK has made the LEGO FORMA (81000) available for purchase. I really hope that LEGO will reconsider and eventually opt to offer this outside of the UK region, but knowing that LEGO’s decision is to essentially discontinue it, then you might want to take this advantage of purchasing the set especially if you’re based in the UK.
Here are the product details for the LEGO FORMA (81000) set for your reference. Shoutout to Jeremy for the heads up.
Designed for adults looking for a fun, engaging way to put down their screens and reconnect with their creative side, new LEGO® FORMA (81000) offers a joyful challenge that also builds a distinctive kinetic sculpture. Made with sturdy elements and covered with a flexible, customizable skin, LEGO FORMA mechanical models incorporate life-like motion, colors, and patterns to deliver a unique creative challenge and a sophisticated display piece. Available in UK only.
Model measures over 10” (25.4cm) high, 5” (12.7cm) wide and 11” (27.9 cm) long.
Build a dynamic model that captures the elegant motion and visual appeal of fish.
Features 294 elements, including base for display and crank for motion.
Use elements to form an intricate gear system that generates life-like movement.
Recreate the movement of a fish with a crank that moves the model in a graceful motion.
Display your sculpture for a unique conversation piece and tasteful addition to any room.”
Though this promo was not mentioned in the December 2019 LEGO Store Calendar for non-spoiler reasons, it’s nice to see this appearing in my LEGO Shop@Home shopping cart. Beginning today until December 24, you’ll get a FREE LEGO Masters Shopping Bag for any LEGO purchase made online an in-store.
From the looks of it, this free LEGO Masters Shopping Bag (5006086) is not made of the usual thin plastic material that LEGO shopping bags were made of. It’s definitely usable and a good way to support LEGO’s initiatives of cutting down on plastic usage as LEGO has previously announced. There seems to be no qualifying price point attached to this promo as well, so it’s nice to see this freebie arrive in your doorsteps regardless of the value of your LEGO purchase.
The best part is that it builds the excitement for the upcoming US version of the LEGO Masters reality TV show that was widely popular in the UK and Australia. LEGO Masters US is scheduled to air via FOX on February 5, 2020. Details of the show are still a bit sketchy save for the fact that LEGO Batman Movie’s Will Arnett will be hosting the show. I’m excited to see who will be joining the roster of contestants, and I’m pretty sure that one of them is somebody who is very close to our brick-loving hearts. Needless to say, it’s simply awesome to see them on screen and coming up with those superb LEGO builds. Here’s the most recent preview trailer of LEGO Masters US in case you missed it.
Hosted by Will Arnett comes the new FOX competition show, LEGO MASTERS. Based on the hit British reality-competition series of the same name, LEGO MASTERS brings imagination, design and creativity to life when teams of LEGO enthusiasts go head-to-head, with infinite possibilities and an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks. Teams of two compete against each other in ambitious brick-building challenges to be crowned the country’s most talented amateur LEGO builders. In each episode, the competing pairs who impress the judges the most progress to the next round, until the finale where the top teams will face off for a cash prize, the ultimate LEGO trophy and the grand title of LEGO MASTERS.
This one obviously missed my brick radar given the so many LEGO sets to be expected come by 2020. If you’re into LEGO desk accessories and you wish to proudly display your LEGO fandom, then be sure to check out the LEGO Trophy (40385) slated also for a January 2020 release. This new-for-2020 building set is now listed over at LEGO Shop@Home, retailing for $12.99 USD. Read on for more info.
Celebrate successes and special people with this colorful LEGO® Iconic Trophy (40385) construction kit, featuring assorted additional elements and stickers to decorate it for different occasions. The stickers vary from sporting icons to celebratory messages such as ‘Well done!’, ‘Best Mom Ever’, ‘Best Dad Ever’, ‘BFF’, and ‘Hero’. A fun, creative birthday present or gift to reward a great achievement, this building toy for kids and any LEGO fan is sure to make the recipient feel like a winner!
Reward achievements in a fun, creative way with this buildable LEGO® Iconic Trophy. This construction set also includes assorted extra elements and sports icon/celebratory message stickers to customize the trophy.
A fun gift idea for kids and any LEGO® fan aged 7 and up, this 200-piece construction set is great for solo building or sharing the fun with friends and family.
The brick-built trophy stands over 5” (14cm) tall and makes a colorful display piece to mark notable achievements in an eye-catching way.
At $13 USD, the LEGO Trophy (40385) set is a great way to celebrate the success of those around you. It’s a pretty straightforward build and the inclusion of personalized stickers adds more options in customizing this set. It certainly looks great beside your Buildable Red Brick (5006085) or Pencil Pot (40188).
Who do you want to celebrate this set with? Sound off your thoughts in the comments below.
