I’m feeling like I could use a little bit of holiday cheer this week (no, St. Patrick’s Day does not count), so I think it’s time to look way ahead to the holiday season once again and look at the second of three 2015 LEGO Advent Calendars. Last month I discussed the LEGO Star Wars 2015 Advent Calendar, and this time it’s the classic LEGO City 2015 Advent Calendar 60099!

Ah, LEGO Advent Calendar sets! What did we do without them…?

The annual trifecta of LEGO Advent Calendars is becoming a tradition in our household (yes, I’ve started buying the Friends Advent Calendars too–I have a problem), and at the New York Toy Fair 2015 last month I got to take an up-close look at this year’s trio of sets!

While the LEGO City Advent Calendar is never quite up there with the Star Wars Advent Calendar on my excitement meter, its charming, classic nature makes it a must-buy almost every year. And this year is no exception!

The 2015 LEGO City Advent Calendar will include six minifigures:

• Santa Claus Minifigure
• Burglar Minifigure
• Police Ranger Minifigure
• Girl Minifigure
• Boy Minifigure
• Boy in Parka Minifigure

The minifigures this year are a mite underwhelming, although a LEGO Santa Minifigure is a must every year, and I always like getting more LEGO kids.

I’m getting kind of tired of criminals and cops in these Christmas sets, however–I sort of want LEGO to switch things up next year with something crazy like a Yeti or a Grinch or something else fanciful, just to give the poor police officers a break for a year!

This year’s accessories are highlighted by a red train that Santa Claus is riding into town upon (how can Santa visit all the children of the world in a single night riding atop a land vehicle?!), which is definitely a unique element for this year’s set.

Accessories and Mini Builds included with LEGO 60099 are:

• LEGO Red Train with Presents
• LEGO Snowman holding a Pretzel
• LEGO Husky Dog with Bowl and Bone
• Police Snowmobile
• Marshmallows to Roast over a Fire
• Drink Stand
• Remote Controlled Cars (Red and Green)
• Remote Controlled Plane
• Mini Space Shuttle
• Mini Bulldozer
• Mini Space Ship
• Street Lamp with Holly
• Cream Pie
• Grandfather Clock with Holly
• Christmas Tree
• Chair for Santa
• Cupcake
• Crowbar
• Megaphone and Handcuffs
• Camera
• Strange Ice Floor (?)

Honestly, I think my favorite thing in the entire set this year is getting another one of the awesomely adorable LEGO Husky dog figures. I also really like the train and getting another pretzel.

Overall, I think that this year’s 60099 LEGO City 2015 Advent Calendar is a little bland, but it has enough going for it (and I’m enough of a Christmas nut) that I’ll buy it on sight anyway in the fall.

The 2015 LEGO Advent Calendar contains 278 pieces and will retail for $29.99. The set will be officially released in September 2015, although LEGO Stores may have it in late August 2015 (though I wouldn’t bet on seeing it anywhere else that early).

What are your thoughts on this year 60099 LEGO City Advent Calendar, LEGO fans? Will you be happily opening up a new mini build from this calendar come December, or are you unimpressed with what LEGO has cooked up for the City Advent Calendar this year?