LEGO's 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake) Collection: A Detailed Look at the Trotting Lantern

LEGO celebrates the Lunar New Year annually with themed sets. Following the 2021 Ox and 2024 Dragon sets, 2025's Year of the Snake brings three new offerings: a Lucky Cat, a Good Fortune set featuring Chinese iconography, and a magnificent Trotting Lantern (set #80116), the focus of this review.

The Trotting Lantern, priced at $129.99 and containing 1295 pieces, is a stunning example of LEGO craftsmanship. Its intricate exterior is a feast for the eyes, boasting red lanterns, gold detailing, and beautifully rendered sky and cloud scenes on the lantern's walls.

Construction is a layered process, adding detail upon detail, reminiscent of the now-retired LEGO Carousel. The anticipation of unveiling each new decorative element is a true joy.

Inspired by historical Han Dynasty lanterns, the model incorporates a light brick and rotating mechanism to project a silhouette image onto the lantern's side. While the advertised projection onto walls is somewhat blurry, the in-lantern effect is still captivating.

The lantern's upper section opens to reveal three charming miniature scenes: a dumpling stall, a decorations stall, and a shadow puppet theater. This hidden element adds a delightful surprise and showcases impressive spatial design. Five minifigures, including one with a snake costume, and various accessories (dumplings, red envelope, shadow puppet, chopsticks) complete the set.

The set's appeal hinges on the buyer's priorities. While the light and rotation mechanism might not fully justify the price alone, the aesthetic beauty and hidden miniature scenes make it a truly exceptional Lunar New Year celebration. Despite its 9+ age rating, the intricate detail suggests a more challenging build suitable for older enthusiasts. Available now at Amazon and the LEGO Store.

For further LEGO exploration, see our selections of the best LEGO sets overall, the best Marvel LEGO sets, and the most expensive LEGO sets. The LEGO Trotting Lantern is a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike.