In many cultures, fireworks are used to celebrate certain events. But they are particularly prominent when welcoming in a new year. It is no different in Chinese culture, but here they have a more important role than just providing a colourful display in the sky. Firecrackers are used to scare away evil spirits and ward off bad luck. This tradition comes from the legend of Nian, an ancient monster which terrorised a village. Villagers scare the creature away by burning bamboo. Over time and with the creation of gunpowder, firecrackers were created. This tradition has inspired another of the upcoming LEGO Spring Festival sets, Fortune Firecracker. Here’s what the set has to offer.
Product Details
Set Name: Fortune Firecracker | Set Number: 80118 | Pieces: 1039 | Theme: Spring Festival
Number of Bags: Bags x 10 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Sticker: n/a | Minifigures: x 6
RRP: £69.99/79.99€/$89.99/129.99AUD/119.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & LEGO retailers from January 1st 2026
The set comprises two main sections, which are combined to create the hangable piece of LEGO decor. The first of these is a large drum-like section. This structure includes a pair of doors which give you access to an enclosed space. This is where you can display a pair of minifigure-filled scenes. Despite the simple nature of the structure, it has some complex sections. These are mainly to help achieve the unique patterns and details needed to convey the various traditional elements. These ornate details are a key part of Chinese Culture. The section within includes a sky scene, which becomes the backdrop to the minifigure scenes.
As mentioned, the set includes two platforms which each features three minifigures. These can be displayed within the main section of the set. The platform slots into place, which pushes out a button on the front of the set. This can then be pushed, which causes the platform to move forward. If the doors are shut, then the motion is enough to make them partly open.
Below the main drum section is a tail of smaller drums. There are 8 in total and are all built the same. One-half of the curved panels used to create the firecracker drums include print detail. If this detail were a sticker, it would have ruined the set, as there would be no means to make decals sit in the same place on each drum. Before enclosing each of these sections, you pop a couple of studs inside them. The resulting rattle represents the crackle of a firecracker. Each of the drums is connected to a long tail, which is fixed to the base of the larger drum.
The minifigures are the usual mix for the Chinese New Year sets. They include two grandparents, an adult, two kids and the most unique of the line-up, the God of Fortune. The minifigures make use of both existing parts and some new ones. These may not be very exciting, but in the case of this set, they act as an accessory and are not the main focus of the set.
It’s a colourful and nicely detailed set, but the limit on how it can be displayed could put people off. Although it’s easily displayed on a wall, it’s impossible to display it any other way. Despite that, it’s still a good representation of the colours, symbols and traditions closely associated with the Spring Festival. The LEGO Spring Festival Fortune Firecracker set launches globally on January 1st and is now available for pre-order.
