LEGO® Chinese Festival review: 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival

Tom Loftus (@inthert.lego) completes his LEGO® Chinese Festival reviews with 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival. Buying this set? Consider using our affiliate links, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'. Products in this article were provided by LEGO; the author's opinions are their own.

The second Chinese New Year set for 2022, 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival contains 1519 pieces, 13 minifigures and costs €99.99/ US$119.99/ £89.99. The age mark is 8+. While it releases alongside 80108 Lunar New Year Traditions, which I have already reviewed, It’s probably more at home next to 80106 Story Of Nian, which Lee reviewed in 2021, as it shares the same style of snow-covered rocky landscape. 

So grab your ice skates and wrap up warmly as we explore the new parts, the build and overview of the Lunar New Year Ice Festival.

New Elements in 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival

An outrageously pleasing element to look at, 2x BRICK 1x2, ROUNDED W/3.2 SHAFT, NO.1 in Transparent Light Blue (6382737 | 77808) also appears in 80108 Lunar New Year Traditions in Warm Gold (6370621). I covered its features and potential uses in my review of that set so we’ll move right onto the other new mould included. 

Old meets new with a redesigned dual moulded penguin, PENGUIN, W/HOLE, DIA. 15, NO. 1  in Transparent Light Blue (6399131) alongside the current model, PENGUIN in Black (6294886 | 31567). The new one has what appears to be a chick’s markings to me so perhaps we can expect an adult penguin at some point? Youngling or not, hopefully it won't be too long before we see this new mould in more traditional penguin colours. 

Now seems as good of a time as any to mention an ongoing mould update that’s currently being introduced. As of 2021 there are now three different 2x2 square flag variants to watch out for:

Introduced in 1986, the first (2335) (yellow) had thin clips and a larger cut away section compared to its replacement (11055) (blue) which was phased into use around 2011. Fast forward 10 years, the latest iteration (80326) features a flared edge between the clips, presumably added to provide even more rigidity. 2 are included in this set in Bright Red (6365459). It's worth noting these changes have also been implemented on the trapezoid flag, the latest version being 80324.

Recoloured Elements in 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival

As the header image would suggest, 80109 has a lot of transparent recolours so we'll waste no time and cover those first, and my oh my don't they look pretty?

• 2x Plate Round 4X4 with Ø16mm hole in Transparent Light Blue (6384260 | 29337)
• 4x 2x PLATE 1X2 W. VERTICAL SHAFT in Transparent (6358931 | 43876?) 
• 14x ANGULAR BRICK 1X1 in Transparent Light Blue (6372118 | 35388) this will be the fourth official transparent colour for this element, appearing in Trans Clear (6244796) Trans neon green (4191197) and Trans neon orange (Element ID unknown) previously. 
• 14x PLATE 2X1 W/HOLDER,VERTICAL in Transparent Light Blue (6375974 | 42923)

Next up some lesser seen transparent elements, each appearing in 5 other sets or less. 

• 2x FLAT TILE 1X1, 1/2 CIRCLE in Transparent Light Blue (6251070 | 35398) 1 other set 3112 Robo HipHop Car
• 3x NOSE CONE SMALL 1X1 in Transparent Blue Opal (6337455 | 28701) 1 other set 40478 Mini Disney Castle
• 6x FLAT TILE 1X4 in Transparent (6289455 | 35371) 4 other sets
• 14x ROOF TILE 1X2/45° in Transparent (6277460 | 35281) 5 other sets

While the above elements might steal the show in my book, Wall Element 1x6x5, ABS in Transparent Opal (6363107| 35286) is the undisputed star of the whole set. A whopping 18 are included and are used to good effect as the icy surface of the skating rink.

Onto the opaque but no less exciting recolours now, beginning with a collection I felt were the most noteworthy.

• 1x PLATE 2X2,2/3 W/KRYDSFELt CROWN LEAF in White (6382782 | 15469)
• 8x PLANT, W/ PLATE 1X1, NO. 1 in White (6382783 | 32607) both of which provide more variety for winter foliage.
• 6x GOLD INGOT in Sand Blue (6372479 | 99563) Debuting simultaneously in this set and 80108 Lunar New Year Traditions.
• 1x PLATE 1X1 W/ 2 SHAFTS DIA. 3.2 in Warm Gold (6372470 | 78257)
• 6x PLATE 1X1 ROUND W/ HORIZONTAL 3.2 SHAFT in Bright Red (6384112 | 32828)
• And last but not least the greatly anticipated (at least by me): TILE 3X3, W/ BOW in Medium Stone Grey (6362965 | 79393) 

Tragically, only x3 are included in the set so a full circle isn't possible. I remedied my disappointment by experimenting with some fun patterns using the existing 4x4 (27507), 2x2 (627925) and 1x1 (25269) quarter circle tiles. 

Much like the sand blue ingot, the red 'coffee filter' is a very welcome expansion to the current colour palette. 

Now onto the colour families starting with Bright Bluish Green, aka Teal, because there's a surprising amount of it for a set covered in snow!

• 3x ANGULAR PLATE 1.5 BOT. 1X2 1/2 in Bright Bluish Green (6373576 | 99780)
• 1x PLATE 1X6 in Bright Bluish Green (62917821 | 3666) 
• 1x PLATE 6X4 W/ANGLE in White (6384249 | 29172)
• 1x ROOF TILE 4X2/45° INV. in Bright Bluish Green (6373577  | 4871) 
• 2x TILE 2X4, CIRCLE, NO. 1 in Bright Bluish Green (6346489 | 66857) technically new although a printed version appears in 43115 The Boombox.
• 1x PLATE 1X4 in Bright Bluish Green (6350418 | 3710) 4 other sets
• 4x BRICK 2X6 in Bright Bluish Green (6249420 | 44237) 4 other sets
• 1x PLATE 1X3 W/ 2 KNOBS in Bright Bluish Green (6334098 | 34103) 4 other sets
• 4x BRICK 1X1 W. 1 KNOB in Bright Bluish Green (6213781 | 87087) 5 other sets
• 9x PLATE 2X4 in Bright Bluish Green (6338181 | 3020) 5 other sets
• 7x PLATE 1X2, W/ 1 KNOB in Bright Bluish Green (6210399 | 15573) 6 other sets

Ah here's the snow we were expecting in the form of a small flurry of white elements:

• 2x BRICK 1X2, OUTSIDE HALF ARCH, NO. 1 in White (6346616 | 78666) 1 other set 10294 Titanic
• 3x 1/4 SPHERE 3X3X1 in White (6334524 | 76797) 1 Other Set 10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery - and again we’re one short of a full circle! 
• 2x BRICK 1X3,OUTSIDE HALF ARCH,W/ CUTOUT in White (6357598 | 70681) 1 other set 43197 The Ice Castle
• 8x BRICK W/ BOW 2X2X1 1/3 in White (6299937 | 67810) 5 other sets
• 2x BRICK 2X4 W/ CROSS HOLE in White (6244919 | 39789) 5 other sets
• 4x STICK Ø 3.2 W. HOLDER in White (6339183 | 41005) 6 other sets

Some yellow sunshine to melt away that blizzard next. (Not sure why I've turned these captions into a story but I’m going to roll with it.)

• 2x FLAT TILE 1X1, ROUND in Cool Yellow (6343806 | 35381) 2 other sets
• 1x D. W. PANES F. FRAME 1X4X6 in Cool Yellow (6315914 | 60623) 2 other sets 40449 Easter Bunny’s Carrot House & 75978 Diagon Alley
• 2x PLATE 1X1, W/ 3.2 SHAFT AND 1.5 HOLE in Flame Yellowish Orange (6223719 | 31561) 1 other set 10294 Titanic
• 3x BRICK 1X1X3 in Flame Yellowish Orange (6310276 | 14716) 2 other sets, 3 if we include this year’s other chinese new year set: 80108 Lunar New Year Traditions
• 1x PLATE 1X1, W/ 1.5 PLATE 1X2, UPWARDS in Bright Yellow (6330893 | 73825) 4 other sets

Out of the skies and back to rocky ground with some dark tan slopes:

• 4x ROOF TILE 1X2, DEG. 45, W/O KNOBS in Sand Yellow (6335228 | 28192) 4 other sets
• 2x RIGHT ROOF TILE 3X3, DEG. 45/18/45 in Sand Yellow (6331861 | 48165) 2 other sets
• 2x LEFT ROOF TILE 3X3, DEG. 45/18/45 in Sand Yellow (6331863 | 42862) 2 other sets
• 2x ROOF TILE 2X2X1 45 DEGR. - BOT. 45 DEGR. in Sand Yellow (6331865 | 13548) 2 other sets

Digging deeper, we find some more earthy tones:

• 5x PLATE 1X2, ROUNDED, NO. 1 in Dark Orange (6369194 | 35480) New in 80109
• 5x DESIGN BRICK 1X1X1 1/3 in Dark Orange (6382738 | 35646) New in 80109
• 2x DESIGN, PLATE 2X3, ROCK, NO. 1 in Dark Brown (6353396 | 27261) 2 other sets
• 2x HOLE Ø4.8 VERT. W/ 4 HOLDER in Reddish Brown (6349130 | 49756) 1 other set 21326 Winnie The Pooh
• 6x TILE 3X3, CIRCLE, NO. 1 in Medium Nougat (6326106 | 67095) 3 other sets
• 4x PLATE 2X3 W/ HOR. 3,2 SHAFT in Reddish Brown (6328480 | 30166) 5 other sets
• 6x 1/4 CIRCLE TILE 1X1 in Dark Red (6311890 | 25269) 3 other sets

Our tale of recolours comes to end with, you guessed it, the odds and ends: 

• 2x PLATE 1X3 W/ 2 KNOBS in Dark Stone Grey (6343852 | 34103) 2 other sets
• 1x CONE 1X1 INVERTED W. SHAFT in Bright Green (6331087 | 11610) 2 other sets
• 1x DESIGN ELEMENT 3X3X2,W/ CROSS HOLE,NO. 1 in Medium Stone Grey (6326483 | 73111) 3 other sets
• 4x FLAT TILE 1X1, ROUND in Bright Green (6353793 | 35381) 4 other sets
• 1x DESIGN SHAPE W/ TUBE, CROSSHOLE in Silver Metallic (6335563 | 25214) 2 other sets
• 2x CUPBOARD 2X3X2 in Bright Blue (6313992 | 92410) 2 other sets

Printed Elements In 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival 

There are no stickers included, only delicious prints. Once again my thanks to former New E contributor Lee for providing the translations. 

• 1x WALL ELEMENT 1X4X3, Ice Rink Sign print in White (6372570)
• 1x FLAT TILE 1X4, Minifigures Skating Scene Print in Earth Blue (6372569)
• 4x MINI HEAD, Tiger Print in Transparent Red (6372565)
• 6x FLAT TILE 2X2 with 雪(snow) Print in Bright Red (6385661) (Only the upper half is a character)
• 1x FLAT TILE 2x4, 滑冰鞋 出租 (Ice Skates Rental) 50元/h (50 Dollars/hour) Print in Cool Yellow (6385660)

Speaking of prints, there is one last element to cover.

I tend to prefer brick-built details to non-standard elements but I'm willing to make an exception for this delightful double sided Photowall Card (6370004 | 82282) depicting two different tiger themed scenes. I must also admit to a little bit of camera trickery here as only one printed card is included in the set.

So we know the parts, now let's take a look at the build itself. 

Building 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival 

Kicking the build off with a side build of Perry the platypus -I mean- this totally not a secret agent penguin, was a fun way to begin. (Panama hat, while demanded by the colour scheme, is tragically not included)

One of the downsides of the ice rink setting is that a good chunk of the set is devoted to a large section of raised ground which isn’t the most thrilling thing to put together. 

Though having said that, there is some nifty sideways construction for the rink and its snowy border that is interesting from a technical perspective. Nevertheless, I still felt a bit of relief when things started happening on the Y-axis and the model began to get some height.

The charming winter sports shop gets added first. It features some impressive compact angle work to achieve it's sloped roof. Everything else comes together fairly quickly after that so let's jump to the completed model. 

The Completed 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival 

All that emphasis on height in the later stages of the build pays off as the completed model is an energetic spectacle, overflowing with colour and detail.

I’m relieved Lee saved me the trouble of identifying the substance being sold from the street vendor cart. Apparently it’s Sweet potatoes, a common street food in China whenever it gets cold. 

The mystery of the new penguin’s transparency is also solved as this skilled ice sculptor carves out another masterpiece. 

Their first being this magnificent ice slide archway topped with the Chinese character 春(spring) and festooned with exclusive transparent blue recolours. It’s a shame the structure requires some opaque white elements as they detract from the ice effect a little. 

Continuing along the back edge of the model, we find the extravagant exterior of the sports shop. I particularly like the use of the red roller skates for some intricate wall details.

No expense is spared inside the shop either with a couple of trophies, a heater and plenty of winter equipment spread between a well stocked ice skate rack and a ‘secret’ drawer below.

Back outside, do you hear that? That's the sound of Ice Planet fans squealing in delight at the sight of these two figures' torsos.  I thank fellow New E contributor Tobymac for pointing out the easter egg goes even further with a familiar looking face print. At last we can sleep soundly knowing the Ice Planet chief swapped a gruelling career offworld for a relaxed ice fishing filled retirement.

I think my least favourite area is this front edge of the rink. The alternating fence and wall atop the mixture of rocks and snow doesn't quite do it for me. However, given such an innocuous area is my least favourite, I think it's a good indicator of how well balanced the colours and shapes are elsewhere on the build.

As if to prove my point, the non-camera-friendly side of the build looks rather camera friendly! Detail is understandably sparse back here but I appreciate the lack of any lairy coloured filler brick.

Closing Thoughts

I get the feeling an ice rink set was always going to be a tough thing to pull off, especially when it came to the build experience and the perception of value for money. It’s a peculiar situation where the focus is that gorgeous opalescent ice rink but most of the visual impact comes from the additional structures that provide the colour, energy and height. 

It’s a shame the time spent building a considerable flat area can’t be reduced, but for the most part the designer struck a great balance between maximising the size of the rink without pulling too many parts away from the other points of interest.

Being a New Elementary review, it does ultimately come back to the parts and while the £90 price point prohibits me recommending this a parts pack, it’s literally a sparkling example of how a few choice recolours can make a set stand out. 

LEGO® Chinese Festival 80109 Lunar New Year Ice Festival is available now priced €99.99/ US$119.99/ £89.99. Enjoyed this review? Consider using our affiliate links if you buy, New Elementary may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop/for Europe 'Change region'. 

Editor: Chris Baginski

READ MORE: LEGO® Ninjago 2022 review: 71767 Ninja Dojo Temple

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