Every year, LEGO unveils a collection of special edition sets to honor the Lunar New Year. In 2021, which marked the Year of the Ox, the release was the *LEGO Spring Festival in a Traditional Garden*. Fast forward to 2024—the Year of the Dragon—and the brand introduced the *LEGO Auspicious Dragon*, designed to resemble an elegant bronze statue on a decorative stand.

LEGO Spring Festival Trotting Lantern

$129.95 at Amazon | $129.99 at LEGO Store

As we welcome 2025—the Year of the Snake—LEGO is launching not one, but three new sets to mark the occasion. The first is a charming *Lucky Cat* figurine. The second, titled *Good Fortune*, is a thoughtful blend of traditional Chinese symbols, featuring elements such as a decorative fan, calligraphy brush and scroll, and golden ingots. The third, and arguably most elaborate set, is the *LEGO Spring Festival Trotting Lantern*. This is the centerpiece of our review, and after building it ourselves, we can confidently say it’s a standout piece.

We Build The LEGO Trotting Lantern

98 Images

Before diving into mechanics, let’s appreciate the lantern’s stunning exterior. It’s richly detailed and ornate, with every surface meticulously crafted. From hanging red lanterns under the eaves to gold-trimmed wall borders, each element contributes to its grandeur. Even the walls themselves are uniquely designed, showcasing open skies and cloud motifs framed by rock formations.

The building experience is methodical and layered. You begin with the core structure, then add intricate overlays step by step. Each layer introduces more visual complexity, creating a sense of anticipation as you uncover the next ornamental detail. This layered approach reminds us of the now-retired *LEGO Carousel*, another set that offered a similar joy of discovery during the build.

Traditional trotting lanterns, dating back to the Han Dynasty, were illuminated by oil lamps. These lights cast moving silhouettes through rotating paper cutouts, powered by heat-driven propellers. While the original mechanism is complex, LEGO has created a simplified version. A vertical rod activates a light brick, illuminating the base and projecting a silhouette onto the lantern's side. Turning the rod causes the image to rotate, mimicking the ancient effect.

The box suggests you can project this image onto a wall or other surface. In practice, however, the projection tends to be dim and blurry. While this feature may not live up to expectations, it’s worth noting that the historical lanterns weren’t designed for this purpose either.

What truly stands out is the lantern’s upper section, which opens to reveal three miniature scenes: a dumpling food stall, a decorations shop, and a shadow puppet theater. These hidden dioramas create a delightful illusion, reminiscent of the surprise factor found in classic toys like Polly Pocket. The set includes five minifigures, one wearing a snake-themed headpiece, along with themed accessories like dumplings, a red envelope, a shadow puppet, and chopsticks.

Whether this set is right for you depends on what you value most. If you're drawn to the mechanical rotation and projection, you might find the execution underwhelming. However, if you appreciate finely crafted, display-worthy models with intricate internal scenes and exceptional detailing, the *LEGO Spring Festival Trotting Lantern* is a worthy addition to any collection. Designed for ages 9 and up, the final result feels more advanced—akin to an 18+ set in terms of sophistication and visual impact.

For more recommendations, explore our list of the best LEGO sets overall, including top picks for Marvel fans and the most expensive LEGO creations.

The *LEGO Spring Festival Trotting Lantern*, Set #80116, retails for $129.99 and consists of 1295 pieces. It is available now at Amazon and the official LEGO Store.