Over 1,000 adult LEGO fans gathered in Denmark near the toy giant’s birthplace

Over 1 000 Adult LEGO Fans Meet Near LEGO’s Danish Home

Poinews.com – Over 1 000 adult LEGO fans travelled to Skærbæk, Denmark, for a weekend of building, collecting and meeting fellow enthusiasts from around the world. The town is close to Billund, birthplace of the LEGO Group, making the event especially meaningful for many visitors.

The gathering, called Skærbæk Fan Weekend, brought together participants from 36 countries. It is organised by fans for Adult Fans of LEGO, often known as AFOLs, whose interests range from creating original brick models to collecting sought-after sets.

A Community Built Around the Brick

For the over 1 000 adult LEGO attendees, the event offers more than displays and building projects. It is a place where people with different languages, nationalities and backgrounds can connect through a shared hobby.

“It’s a place where AFOLs come together, no matter where they come from, no matter which language they speak, no matter what they believe in,” said co-organiser Stephan Sander. “They have just one thing in common and that’s the love for the brick.”

Adult interest in LEGO has become increasingly visible in recent years. Although adults have long built and collected the toys, the hobby gained fresh momentum during pandemic lockdowns, when many people rediscovered hands-on activities, nostalgia and creative pastimes at home.

Films, television competitions and online communities have also helped change perceptions. What was once treated as a private interest for some builders is now more widely recognised as a social, creative and skilled pursuit.

From Secret Hobby to Mainstream Interest

Didier Bruel, a 66-year-old retiree from France, said he used to be careful about telling colleagues that he spent weekends building LEGO in his basement. He feared people would regard him as unusual.

“I would be careful not to say that I was doing my LEGO in my basement because they would have looked at me as a bit [of a] bizarre guy,” he said.

Bruel believes attitudes have shifted significantly over the past 20 years. Productions including The LEGO Movie and LEGO Masters have given adult builders a more prominent public profile.

“You become kind of a star, right? So it’s completely different in the last 20 years,” Bruel said.

The over 1 000 adult LEGO fans in Skærbæk reflect a wider rise in adults buying toys for themselves. Collectible plush toys, Hot Wheels cars and Barbie dolls are also attracting grown-up customers, sometimes described as “kidults”.

Circana said nearly 40% of European consumers bought toys for themselves or another adult in 2025. Their spending may be driven by collecting, display, nostalgia or the satisfaction of completing a detailed project.

Why LEGO Is Targeting Adult Builders

LEGO has introduced increasingly complex sets aimed at adults, including models that cost several hundred euros. These products are designed for people willing to invest time, money and space in a challenging build or a display piece.

The company recorded net profit of around €1.15 billion in the first half of this year, up 32% from the same period a year earlier. Demand from adult customers is helping support sales as toy makers seek buyers across a wider range of ages.

Frédérique Tutt, Circana’s global toy industry advisor, said adult and teenage toy buying appears to be a lasting market change rather than a short-lived response to lockdowns.

“This is not a fad, this is really a long-term trend,” Tutt said. “Adults and teenagers are proud of saying ‘I am collecting, I’m buying toys, aren’t you?’”

FAQ: Visiting Skærbæk Fan Weekend

Where did the over 1 000 adult LEGO fans gather?

They gathered in Skærbæk, Denmark, a town located near Billund, where the LEGO Group was founded.

Who attends Skærbæk Fan Weekend?

The event welcomes Adult Fans of LEGO from many countries, including builders, collectors and people interested in different LEGO themes and models.

Why is the event important to LEGO enthusiasts?

Its location near Billund adds historical significance, while the weekend gives fans an opportunity to share ideas, show their creations and meet others who enjoy building with LEGO bricks.