We Build the LEGO Trotting Lantern, a 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration

LEGO annually unveils a captivating array of Lunar New Year themed sets. 2021 (Year of the Ox) featured a Spring Festival scene within a traditional garden. 2024 (Year of the Dragon) brought us the LEGO Auspicious Dragon, a stunning bronze statue replica.

LEGO Spring Festival Trotting Lantern

$129.95 at Amazon | $129.99 at LEGO Store

2025, the Year of the Snake, sees LEGO release three commemorative sets. A Lucky Cat, a "Good Fortune" set showcasing Chinese iconography (decorative fan, calligraphy set, gold ingots), and the magnificent Trotting Lantern—the focus of this review. This lantern is far more than meets the eye.

Building the LEGO Trotting Lantern

Let's admire the exterior first. This model is exquisitely detailed. Every inch boasts decorative elements—from hanging red lanterns to gold detailing and intricately painted cloud-filled walls.

Construction is a layered process. You build the core lantern, then add details, and finally, even more intricate details. This layered approach creates a delightful anticipation, reminiscent of the now-retired LEGO Carousel.

Historically, trotting lanterns (dating back to the Han Dynasty) used oil lamps to project silhouettes. The heat rotated propellers, animating these images. LEGO cleverly replicates this effect. A rod activates a light brick, illuminating a clear piece with a black-lined image, which projects onto the lantern's side. Rotating the rod animates the image.

While the packaging advertises wall projection, the image is unfortunately blurry and indistinct. This feature feels unnecessary and detracts from the historical accuracy.

More impressive is the upper tier, opening to reveal three charming dioramas: a dumpling stall, a decorations stall, and a shadow puppet theater. These hidden scenes are a delightful surprise. The set includes five minifigures (one with a snake costume), dumplings, a red envelope, a shadow puppet, and chopsticks.

Whether this set is worth the price depends on your priorities. The light-up, rotating mechanism is not a standout feature. However, the aesthetic beauty and the intricately detailed, hidden dioramas make it a stunning Lunar New Year celebration. Rated for ages 9+, its complexity suggests an 18+ experience.

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LEGO Trotting Lantern (Set #80116), retailing at $129.99 (1295 pieces), is available now at Amazon and the LEGO Store.