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LEGO just dropped the final piece of their nature-loving puzzle with the Northern Lights Diorama (40785). Honestly, I’m not sure my wallet is ready for this kind of temptation.
This 332-piece set completes the four-part Wonders of the Natural World series as a gift-with-purchase. It features a snowy Nordic landscape, aurora borealis, and glow-in-the-dark elements.
I’ve watched this series unfold all year, and they’ve really saved something special for last.
What started as a harmless collection of tiny dioramas has turned into my latest LEGO obsession. Now I’m staring at this Northern Lights beauty, wondering how many more “essential” purchases I can justify to my significant other.
The set captures that magical aurora borealis moment we’ve all seen in nature documentaries. Maybe while secretly eating cereal in our pajamas. No judgment.
Let’s look at what this frosty little masterpiece has to offer. From clever building tricks to where it fits in the broader collection that’s been slowly emptying my bank account all year.
Details and Features
The Northern Lights Diorama comes with 332 pieces and marks the grand finale of LEGO’s quarterly Wonders of the Natural World series.
I’m especially excited about the glow-in-the-dark elements and those colorful tiles that bring this arctic scene to life.
Gift With Purchase (GWP) Availability and Release Date
Waiting for GWP releases feels a bit like waiting for the actual Northern Lights to appear—equal parts excitement and impatience. The 40785 Northern Lights Diorama should become available sometime in October 2025, though LEGO hasn’t given us an exact date yet.
Spending Requirements by Region:
- United States: $150 USD
- Australia: $245 AUD
- United Kingdom: £135 GBP
- Europe: €150 EUR
This is the fourth and final installment in the Wonders of the Natural World series. My wallet, honestly, could use the break.
The GWP will be available exclusively through LEGO.com when you hit the minimum spending threshold. There’s no word yet if physical LEGO stores will offer this promotion.
Build and Piece Count: What’s in the Box?
With 332 pieces, this microscale build packs more detail than I expected into a compact diorama. The piece count makes it perfect for a cozy evening build session.
The set recreates a Northern Hemisphere landscape with snow-topped trees that look surprisingly realistic for their size. I’m genuinely impressed by the variety of elements included.
Key Build Features:
- Snow-covered evergreen trees
- Glow-in-the-dark moon element
- Colorful tiles for the aurora borealis
- Reflective aurora effects
- Standard black display base
The glow-in-the-dark moon might be my favorite touch. There’s something magical about a LEGO set that literally glows, even if it does make me feel like I’m decorating a kid’s bedroom.
The colorful tiles used for the aurora borealis actually create some convincing light effects. LEGO’s gotten pretty clever with how they represent natural phenomena in microscale.
Design Inspiration: The Wonders of the Natural World
The Northern Lights theme feels like LEGO saved the best for last in their Wonders of the Natural World series. Who doesn’t want to capture one of nature’s most spectacular light shows in brick form?
This diorama specifically depicts the Northern Hemisphere winter landscape where aurora viewing is most common. The design really nails that crisp, clear night when the sky puts on its greatest show.
The Natural World series took us through four different environments this year. Each diorama highlights a different natural wonder, but this northern lights version feels the most ambitious.
I appreciate how LEGO Group has balanced scientific accuracy with playful interpretation here. The aurora borealis representation uses creative tile work that actually resembles the real thing.
The winter setting adds seasonal appeal that’ll look great displayed year-round. Sometimes it feels like LEGO knows exactly how to hit that nostalgia button while teaching us a thing or two about our planet.
Collecting the Wonders: The Diorama Series
I’ve been following LEGO’s ambitious quest to miniaturize Mother Nature all year. The company dropped these microscale masterpieces quarterly, giving my wallet just enough time to recover between releases.
Previous Sets: 40783 Coral Reef Diorama and 40784 African Savanna Diorama
Let me tell you about the underwater adventure that kicked off my obsession. The 40783 Coral Reef Diorama brought the ocean floor right to my desk—no scuba gear required.
This aquatic marvel was packed with vibrant coral formations and tropical fish. Honestly, I was amazed by how LEGO captured the energy of a lively reef in such a tiny build.
The 40784 African Savanna Diorama took me straight to the plains of Africa. There were acacia trees and swaying grasslands, and for a minute, I felt like I was actually on safari—minus the heat and the bugs.
Both sets paid close attention to detail. Each one managed to bottle up the spirit of a whole ecosystem, even at this small scale.
LEGO really seemed to get that collectors like me crave variety in the Wonders of the Natural World series.