Imagine, for a moment, that it’s 2012… I have been collecting and building LEGO my whole life. However, I've been doing this mostly on my own. My friends still think it’s a bit silly, so I spend my time online to meet like-minded people. Brickshelf is the place to browse through all the wonderful creations that people have built, and Eurobricks is the place to interact with people who were just as silly as I.
Opening my browser, I looked at the Eurobricks front page and saw a mention of the Eurobricks Event 2012. This would be a great opportunity to meet people behind the avatars and finally see LEGOLAND in all its glory. So, I signed up and magic ensued.
Billund 2012
Let’s fast forrward to 2025. The AFOL community has changed a lot since 2012. I’m not considered silly anymore. LEGO even considers the adult market a priority. The web is filled with LEGO Instagrammers and YouTubers, and Eurobricks is… well, kind of a dinosaur. While forums were once a popular platform, they now feel outdated and slow. But that doesn’t mean it’s history because the Eurobricks Event is still here, and I just came home from attending the 18th edition!
billund 2025
What makes the Eurobricks Event such a fun event? Well, to me, it’s because it sets itself apart from all the other events. (And I’m fairly certain that more people think of this in a similar way, as you might recognize a few other BrickNerd contributors in some of the photos.)
When talking about LEGO events, you’ll probably be thinking about something like Skaerbaek Fanweekend, Legoworld or Brickworld. Those are semi-public events where you show your creations to other AFOLs and visitors. But for this event, there is no worrying about any of those nasty deadlines for signing up, table requests, MOC cards, or finishing a showpiece in time. This event feels like a breeze. A vacation together with fellow AFOLs! Everyone is just so relaxed. Everything is awesome!
billund 2025
Signing Up
So how does attending the annual Eurobricks Event work? The date is set by a few diehard attendees, mostly in April or May. When the date is set, a topic thread is created on the Eurobricks forums where you can sign up if you want to join. That’s it—you’re in!
Building together wih snacks and beers
It’s reasonable to think you want some kind of accommodation. Again, this is arranged by some of the regular attendees. Depending on the estimated number of people attending, one or more vacation homes are booked. But this doesn’t mean you have to join in on that. Often, attendees arrange their own accommodations in a hotel or nearby camping site. (This, of course, prevents lying in an unknown room with someone who snores!) It could also be that you’re able to attend a day less, or just want to join for one day. This often happens when the event is in Billund, where some Danish Eurobricks fans live nearby. I get that living close by makes it easier to attend, but over the years, people from all over the world have attended!
For the choice of country where the event is being held, there is a sort of schedule… but that’s not set in stone. Usually every other year Billund is the place to be. In the other years, it alternates between Gunzburg and Windsor. However, since Great Britain left the EU, Windsor is now considered a less viable option. So next year Gunzburg is to place to be!
Activities
The event lasts three days. When considering attendance, you’ll likely need to take five days off work if traveling is required. The planning of the days is always open, but of course, one of the days is spent inside the LEGOLAND park. In the parks, people often divide into small groups due to their diverse interests. Some are just lost in the stores, trying to find rare goodies. Others are just fanatics who want to ride the attractions all day.
Sightseeing is also part of the experience, especially when it is in Billund (read LEGO House), London or Hamburg. Being a tourist with people who share the same hobby is a great way to spend your free time.
The day that’s left over is often open for just about everything. This could be fun things like bowling, mini golf, or visiting a swimming pool. But it is also a moment for presentation time. We had presentations about Eurobricks’ past, someone’s obsession for Galidor, or passion for the RPG Guilds of Historica. Which means if you want to add something in any form to the event, this is embraced by everyone.
The evenings are often filled with small contests like speed building, building new purchases, playing board games, or just drinking a nice cold beer.
Traditions
Over the years, some fun traditions have found their way into the events. In advance, there is often a simple contest like making a vignette or a soapbox that you need to bring with you. There is also the jelly-rat-spitting contest. (Don’t ask me why, but it is funnier than it sounds.) It’s a contest where you need to spit a candy rat as far as possible. Over the years, people have perfected their technique to do this! At LEGOLAND, there is always the firetruck challenge (extinguishing a fake fire and getting back to the station as quickly as possible).
Jelly rat spitting
I guess it’s hard to express what makes this event so special to me. But I’ve attended a lot of events all over the world, and this one just stands out so much because it’s just so casual. It bears the name of an event, but it’s more of a vacation together with friends.
presentation time
Back in 2012, I signed up for the Eurobricks Event hoping to find people who shared my silly little hobby. What I found instead was a second family—one that gathers every year to laugh, build, explore, and celebrate the joy of LEGO without any pressure to perform or impress. In a world that’s constantly shifting, this event has remained a dependable constant—quietly evolving, yet always welcoming.
So whether you’re a veteran builder or someone just discovering that AFOLs are a thing, come join us next time. Do you want to hang out with fellow AFOLs and just have a good time? Make sure to sign up for the next event. Everyone is welcome!
Have you ever attended the Eurobricks Event? Let us know in the comments below!
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