Candle making
classes in the US
Every guided candle class and walk-in pour bar we could find in the US, with the price each one prints. Filter by state, format or price, then book on the studio’s own page.
- locations
- 148
- states
- 38
- typical price
- $45
- typical session
- 1 h
The directory
Find a class near you
One card per location. Prices are each studio’s own “from” price for its standard public session, copied as printed on 25 October 2026.
All 148 locations
Example photo- Private groups too
Example photo - Private groups too
Example photo - Private groups tooExample photo
- Private groups tooExample photo
- Private groups tooExample photo
- Next: Thu Oct 29, 3 pm
Example photo - Private groups too
Example photo - Private groups tooExample photo
- Private groups tooExample photo
- Private groups tooExample photo
- Private groups tooExample photo
The craft
What is a candle making class?
You choose a vessel and blend a scent from a wall of fragrance oils, then pour melted wax (usually soy) around a wick and let it set. An hour later you have a candle that smells the way you wanted, in a jar you picked.
There are two ways to do it. A pour bar is walk-in or book-a-seat: you pay by the vessel and pour at your own pace with staff on hand. A class is led by an instructor, runs at a set time, and often covers scent notes, wicks and a second candle. Both suit complete beginners.
- Session
- ≈ 1 h
- Plus 30 min–2 h to set
- Price
- $45
- Typical start; from $14
- Experience
- None
- Staff mix and pour with you
- Ages
- 5–12 +
- Hot wax; varies by studio
- Take it home
- Same day
- Some bars say pick up next day
How it’s made
What happens at a pour
Choosing the scent takes longer than you think. The pour itself takes minutes.
Where the time goes · about 1 h
- Vessel 5 min
- Scent 20 min
- Pour 15 min
- Wick + top 10 min
- Set 45 min
15 minPick your vessel
Glass, ceramic, tin or something you bring. At pour bars the vessel sets the price.
- 215–25 min
Blend a scent
Sniff your way along the fragrance wall and mix two or three oils; most bars have recipe cards to start from.
- 310–15 min
Melt and pour
Staff melt the wax; you stir in your scent and pour it around the wick.
410 minCentre the wick, decorate
Clip the wick straight, then add dried flowers or a label if the studio offers them.
- 530 min–2 h
Let it set
Wander off while it hardens, then collect it. Wait a day or two before the first burn.
Who it’s for
Good for…
Date night
An hour side by side, and a candle each that smells like the evening.
Look for evening poursFriends & birthdays
Easy to talk while you sniff and pour; plenty of bars are BYOB.
Private partiesShowers & celebrations
Everyone takes home a favour they made themselves.
Book a private pourTeams & groups
Short, calm and nobody has to be good at art. Many bars bring it to your office.
Priced per head
A calm hour alone
Walk in on your own, pick a scent, slow down for an hour.
Walk-ins welcomeMaybe skip it if you have toddlers with you (it’s hot wax), are sensitive to strong scents, or need to burn the candle tonight: most need a day or two to cure.
Prices
What it costs
Starting price per person at the 109 locations that publish one; the typical start is $45. 11 of those prices come from a booking site rather than the studio’s own page.
Starting prices · number of locations
The package sets the price
Meltdown Candle Bar, Castro Valley · as printed
- 8 oz candle + 4 oz tin · 1 h$65
- 12 oz candle + a melt · 1 h$76
- Ultimate · 1.5 h$98
Per vessel or per person
Pour bars usually charge by the vessel you pick; classes charge per person. Check which before comparing.
What’s included
Wax, wick, scent and the vessel almost always; toppings, a second candle or drinks can be extra.
Groups
Private pours and team events are priced per head, often with a minimum; many bars come to you.
Who runs them
Chains and independents
Mostly independent pour bars and small studios. A few chains run several bars, usually in shopping streets with walk-in hours. The 4 biggest chains run 22 of the 148 locations.
Share of all 148 locations
- Independent studiosone location each81 · 55%
- Smaller chains15 operators with 2–3 locations36 · 24%
- Paddywax Candle Bar9 · 6%
- KraftStoriesOurs · disclosed9 · 6%
- Penn & Beech Candle Co.5 · 3%
- Cork & Candles4 · 3%
- The Wick Lab4 · 3%
Questions
Asked before booking
How much does a candle making class cost?
The typical starting price on this list is $45 per person (the median of the prices studios publish). Small vessels at pour bars start around $14; bigger vessels and guided packages run to $130.
What’s the difference between a pour bar and a class?
A pour bar is walk-in or book-a-seat: you pay by the vessel and pour at your own pace with staff nearby. A class runs at a set time with an instructor, and usually covers scent blending and wicks in more depth. Use the “How it runs” filter.
How long does it take?
About 1 hour of making, then 30 minutes to 2 hours for the wax to set. Some bars ask you to collect the next day.
Can I take my candle home the same day?
Usually yes, once it has set. Most studios advise waiting a day or two before the first burn so the scent can cure.
Is it suitable for kids?
Many bars take children from 5 to 12 with an adult, and some run kids’ sessions. It’s hot wax, so check the studio’s age rule.
Can I bring wine?
Some bars are BYOB or serve drinks; the “Sip & pour” filter finds them. Check the studio’s rules before you bring a bottle.
Can I book a private party or a team event?
Most studios on this list run private pours for birthdays, showers and work teams, at the studio or at your venue. Use the “Private groups” filter.
Is WeekHere connected to any of these studios?
Yes, one: WeekHere is published by KraftStories, which runs candle making workshops. Its locations are marked “Our studio” and sorted like every other. No studio pays to be listed.
How we checked
Checked by hand on 25 October 2026
- Read every studio
For each location a person read the studio’s own site or booking page. Online kits are left out.
- Price as printed
We copy the price the studio publishes, say when it came from a booking site, and never guess one.
- No paid listings
No studio pays to be listed or to move up. Missing a studio? Email us a link to its own page.
- One disclosure
WeekHere is published by KraftStories, which runs classes too. Its locations are marked “Our studio” and sorted like every other.