LEGO Contest Round-Up for January 2026
/A new month (and a New Year!) is upon us which means more competitive building! Are you ready? Here’s the latest bunch of LEGO contests and challenges from all around the AFOL community for January 2026 to help you find some inspiration and motivation to build! There’s nothing quite like a theme or a prompt to take you out of your comfort zone and give you something new to try. Besides, contests are the perfect place to interact with other contestants and judges and get to know your fellow builders.
We’ve listed them in order of deadline so you can plan your building time to the best advantage. Make sure to check the LEGO activity calendar for local challenges and events near you. Here at BrickNerd, some of our fondest memories, greatest building achievements, coolest trophies, and best friendships came from LEGO contests, so we really hope you try some of these out. We look forward to seeing what you build!
Light your fires, and get that anvil ringing! The Iron Forge is back – do you have what it takes to challenge the Iron Builders?
You have until the 9th of January to create a MOC worthy of the Forge using the seed part. The seed part you must feature in your MOC is the classic LEGO seat / chair, in any color.
Deadline: First round ends January 9th
Prize: The chance to compete in the legendary Iron Builer challenge!
Where to enter: Discord
Do you have what it takes to be a Dragonslayer? Do you deserve a place at the round table with some of the best medieval builders out there? Six categories and three additional challenges await your entries – you can even enter digital builds!
Deadline: January 15th
Prize: Each category offers a choice between a LEGO set and a custom-built prize that will be unveiled during the first weeks of Brickscalibur.
Where to enter: Discord or the Brickscalibur website
LEGO Ideas Treasure Quest
It’s time to go on an adventure – and find treasure! LEGO Ideas is asking you to go on a brick-built treasure hunt, so go exploring!
Deadline: January 21st
Prizes: 5 Grand Prize winners will receive 21363 The Goonies, 21058 The Pyramids of Giza & 21362 Mineral Collection
Where to enter: LEGO Ideas
To celebrate 15 years of LEGO Ninjago, BrickLink is celebrating the iconic theme with a new building challenge. Be it dragons, vehicles or mechs, this challenge is for all the ninja out there!
Deadline: January 23rd
Prizes: Just the fun of building with LEGO!
Where to enter: BrickLink
Create a picture of something or someone out of place – be lost, find yourself in the wrong environment, or something entirely different!
Deadline: January 29th
Prizes: Just the fun of building with LEGO!
Where to enter: Threads & Discord
Kicking off each new year, Droneuary is straightforward and open-ended. Build drones. No meatbags allowed! Big, small, civilian, military, you name it, all drones are welcome. Maybe David VII’s fun take on a farmer drone will inspire you?
Deadline: January 31st
Prize: Just the fun of building LEGO drones!
Where to enter: LEGO SPACE! Discord Server or the Droneuary Flickr group
Umbasa LUGs monthly minifigure challenge is asking for minifigures ruined by corruption!
Deadline: January 31st
Prizes: Just the fun of building with LEGO!
Where to enter: Instagram
The Building Improvement Initiative discord hosts monthly building challenges, and this month is all about building things that bring light into the dark: Victorian era street lamps perhaps, or candles, or sci-fi hanger floor lights – whatever you think may fit this prompt.
Deadline: February 15th
Prizes: Just the fun of building with LEGO!
Where to enter: Discord
Happy building! See you here next month for our next LEGO community contest list. And if you would like us to add a contest, please email dave@bricknerd.com.
What are your experiences with LEGO contests? Are there any you know of that we missed? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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