# LEGO Set Lighting ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/126/333/medium800thumb/hacks_wintervillage01.jpg?1701217032) https://youtu.be/eMm64RiZa1A Light up your LEGO buildings, spacecraft, vehicles, and more with super-tiny LEDs. Sets such as the Winter Village and Star Wars lines are just begging to have lights added. You can add lights exactly where you want using pre-wired SMD LEDs. Then, you can animate them to blink, dim, and flicker exactly as you like using CircuitPython. Or, you can keep it very simple using an on/off coin cell battery holder breakout. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/126/334/medium800/hacks_legoled-5919.jpg?1701217068) ## Other Resources If you want to mount your QT Py to LEGO bricks, check out this great [Ruiz Brothers guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/qt-py-lego). And for other STEMMA QT board mounting, [this guide](https://learn.adafruit.com/stemma-lego-base-plates) has you covered. While working on this guide, I found an excellent and very similar tutorial on BrickNerd! [Check it out](https://bricknerd.com/home/diy-lego-lighting-creating-custom-light-effects-11-9-23), especially for some more ideas on doing an amazing cyberpunk-style lighting setup. ## Parts Featured ### Adafruit QT Py RP2040 [Adafruit QT Py RP2040](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4900) What a cutie pie! Or is it... a QT Py? This diminutive dev board comes with one of our new favorite chip, the RP2040. It's been made famous in the new [Raspberry Pi Pico](https://www.adafruit.com/pico) _and_ our [Feather...](http://www.adafruit.com/product/4884) In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4900) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4900/guides) ![Video of hand holding a QT Py PCB in their hand. An LED glows rainbow colors.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4900-06.jpg) Featured ### Adafruit AW9523 GPIO Expander and LED Driver Breakout [Adafruit AW9523 GPIO Expander and LED Driver Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4886) Expand your project possibilities, with the **Adafruit AW9523 GPIO Expander and LED Driver Breakout** - a cute and powerful I2C expander with a lot of tricks up its sleeve. GPIO expanders work like this: you have a board with some number of GPIO but not enough for your... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4886) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4886/guides) ![Video of a Adafruit AW9523 GPIO Expander and LED Driver Breakout connected to a LED changing colors. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4886-05.jpg) Featured ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Warm White - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Warm White - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5487) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of **Miniature Wired 0805 LEDs** for... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5487) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5487/guides) ![Video of a five mini wired LEDs emitting warm white light against a white open palm.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5487-03.jpg) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Pure Green - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Pure Green - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5489) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of **Miniature Wired 0805 LEDs** for... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5489) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5489/guides) ![Video of a five mini wired LEDs emitting green light against a white open palm.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5489-03.jpg) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Blue - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Blue - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5490) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of  **Miniature Wired 0805...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5490) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5490/guides) ![Video of a five mini wired LEDs emitting Blue light against a white open palm.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5490-02.jpg) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Pink - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Pink - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5488) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of  **Miniature Wired 0805...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5488) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5488/guides) ![Video of a five mini wired LEDs emitting pink light against a white open palm.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5488-03.jpg) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Purple - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Purple - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5491) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of  **Miniature Wired 0805...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5491) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5491/guides) ![Video of a five mini wired LEDs emitting Purple light against a white open palm.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/5491-03.jpg) ### CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery [CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) A perfect match for our [sew-able coin cell holder](http://www.adafruit.com/products/653). This non-rechargeable coin cell is CR2032 sized: 20mm diameter, 3.2mm thick. It has a nominal voltage output of 3V (although it starts a little high at 3.2V and slowly drifts down to 2.5V as... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/654/guides) ![Front shot of CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery upright.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/654-02.jpg) ### STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin Cable - 100mm Long [STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin Cable - 100mm Long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4210) This 4-wire cable is a little over 100mm / 4" long and fitted with JST-SH female 4-pin connectors on both ends. Compared with the chunkier JST-PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but still have a nice latching feel, while being easy to insert and remove. In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4210) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4210/guides) ![Angled shot of STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin Cable.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4210-00.jpg) ### 1.25mm Pitch 2-pin Cable Matching Pair - 40cm long quantity: 16 [1.25mm Pitch 2-pin Cable Matching Pair - 40cm long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4720) When 0.1" is too big, and JST PH's too chunky, these ultra-slim 1.25mm connectors are a reliable alternative. These are only 1.25mm pitch, but have a nice clicky connection. These cables are nice and long, 40cm in fact. They've got both small form factor and are a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4720) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4720/guides) ![1.25mm Pitch 2-pin Cable Matching Pair](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4720-04.jpg) ### Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack - 3/32" + 1/8" + 3/16" Diameters [Multi-Colored Heat Shrink Pack - 3/32" + 1/8" + 3/16" Diameters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1649) Heat shrink is the duct tape of electronics which I guess makes this heat shrink the colorful and exciting duct tape they sell at craft stores.  This heat shrink comes in six different colors - red, blue, green, yellow, white and the traditional black. Each pack contains ten... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1649) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1649/guides) ![Array of many colorful heatshrink tubes.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1649-00.jpg) ### Simple Setup / Testing A coin cell breakout it great for quickly testing LEDs or for doing a simple on/off lighting setup. Featured ### 20mm Coin Cell Breakout w/On-Off Switch (CR2032) [20mm Coin Cell Breakout w/On-Off Switch (CR2032)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1871) Simple but effective - this sewable breakout board has a CR2032 coin cell battery holder soldered on, an on/off switch and 0.1" pitch breakout pins for easy connecting. Great for powering very low-current projects, or adding a battery backup circuit to a real-time-clock or similar.... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1871) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1871/guides) ![Angled shot of a 20mm Coin Cell Breakout Board w/ On-Off Switch.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1871-08.jpg) ## LEGO Set Any LEGO creation you build that includes translucent plates and bricks can be lit up with these techniques. If you want to start with an official model, the models in [Winter Village line](https://www.lego.com/en-us/categories/adults-welcome/every-set-in-lego-winter-village-collection) is are excellent candidates for cozy lighting, as are any of the [modular buildings](https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/jazz-club-10312). The [Razor Crest](https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/the-razor-crest-75292) is one of the many, many, many [Star Wars](https://www.lego.com/en-us/themes/star-wars) ships that light up nicely. ![hacks_bakery.png](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/126/341/medium640/hacks_bakery.png?1701218874) ![hacks_jazzclub.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/126/342/medium640/hacks_jazzclub.jpg?1701218892) ![hacks_razor.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/126/344/medium640/hacks_razor.jpg?1701218972) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/lego-set-lighting/test-lighting-with-a-coin-cell.md) ## Guide Products ### Adafruit QT Py RP2040 [Adafruit QT Py RP2040](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4900) What a cutie pie! Or is it... a QT Py? This diminutive dev board comes with one of our new favorite chip, the RP2040. It's been made famous in the new [Raspberry Pi Pico](https://www.adafruit.com/pico) _and_ our [Feather...](http://www.adafruit.com/product/4884) In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4900) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4900/guides) ### Adafruit AW9523 GPIO Expander and LED Driver Breakout [Adafruit AW9523 GPIO Expander and LED Driver Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4886) Expand your project possibilities, with the **Adafruit AW9523 GPIO Expander and LED Driver Breakout** - a cute and powerful I2C expander with a lot of tricks up its sleeve. GPIO expanders work like this: you have a board with some number of GPIO but not enough for your... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4886) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4886/guides) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Warm White - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Warm White - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5487) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of **Miniature Wired 0805 LEDs** for... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5487) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5487/guides) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Pure Green - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Pure Green - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5489) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of **Miniature Wired 0805 LEDs** for... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5489) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5489/guides) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Blue - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Blue - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5490) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of  **Miniature Wired 0805...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5490) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5490/guides) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Pink - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Pink - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5488) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of  **Miniature Wired 0805...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5488) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5488/guides) ### Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Purple - 5 pack [Miniature Wired LEDs - 0805 SMT LED - Purple - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5491) These ultra-fine wired LEDs are designed for model-makers and crafters but they could also come in handy for folks who want to add tiny points of light to a design without needing SMT-level soldering skills. Use this five-pack bundle of  **Miniature Wired 0805...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5491) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5491/guides) ### CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery [CR2032 Lithium Coin Cell Battery](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) A perfect match for our [sew-able coin cell holder](http://www.adafruit.com/products/653). This non-rechargeable coin cell is CR2032 sized: 20mm diameter, 3.2mm thick. It has a nominal voltage output of 3V (although it starts a little high at 3.2V and slowly drifts down to 2.5V as... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/654) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/654/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit AW9523 GPIO Expander and LED Driver](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-aw9523-gpio-expander-and-led-driver.md) - [Adafruit QT Py RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-qt-py-2040.md) - [Bluetooth LE Sensor Nodes to Raspberry Pi WiFi Bridge](https://learn.adafruit.com/bluetooth-le-broadcastnet-sensor-node-raspberry-pi-wifi-bridge.md) - [No-Code Battery Monitoring with WipperSnapper](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-code-battery-monitoring-with-wippersnapper.md) - [Adafruit BrainCraft HAT - Easy Machine Learning for Raspberry Pi](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-braincraft-hat-easy-machine-learning-for-raspberry-pi.md) - [Mac Classic Fruit Jam](https://learn.adafruit.com/mac-classic-fruit-jam.md) - ["Mother of all Demos" USB Keyset](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-keyset.md) - [Flashing LED Strand with MakeCode](https://learn.adafruit.com/flashing-led-strand-with-makecode.md) - [Adafruit Feather RP2040 RFM69](https://learn.adafruit.com/feather-rp2040-rfm69.md) - [MIDI Laser Harp with Time of Flight Distance Sensors](https://learn.adafruit.com/midi-laser-harp-time-of-flight-sensors.md) - [PyLeap ESP32-S3 TFT Boxing Glove Tracker w/ Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/esp32-s2-tft-boxing-glove-tracker-w-adafruit-io.md) - [LED Noodle Lantern](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-noodle-lantern.md) - [3D Scans for Low Poly Statues](https://learn.adafruit.com/low-poly-3d-scans-for-3d-printing.md) - [Twinkly Earwarmer Headband](https://learn.adafruit.com/twinkly-ear-warmer.md) - [AS5600 Super Smooth Rotary Encoder](https://learn.adafruit.com/as5600-smooth-rotary-encoder.md) - [Circle of Fifths Euclidean Synth with synthio and CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/circle-of-fifths-euclidean-synth-with-synthio-and-circuitpython.md) - [Halo Energy Sword RP2040](https://learn.adafruit.com/halo-energy-sword-rp2040.md)