Chicago Candle Making Class On Magnificent Mile

Making a candle is the easy part. The fun is choosing a fragrance that feels like yours. At this Magnificent Mile workshop, you test oils, build a personal scent, and pour it into an 8 oz candle made with 100% soy wax. The activity is social without being loud or hectic, making it a good fit for friends, couples, birthdays, or a quiet solo outing.

I like the hands-on format and the fact that all wax, fragrances, vessels, and equipment are supplied. I also like the chance to slow down, talk while you work, and use the journal cards at the end. The main caution is value: $75 is a fair price only if you want the calm, social activity as much as the finished candle. Some people finish in about 45 minutes, even though the scheduled experience is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

Key points before you book

• You make one 8 oz custom candle: Choose your fragrance, prepare the wax, and pour the finished candle yourself.
• The class is inside Reggie Hathorn: Look for the shop on the sixth floor of the 900 North Michigan Shops, not just the large 900 North Michigan Avenue address.
• The fragrance mixing is the heart of the class: You’ll smell different oils and decide how they work together.
• The mood is relaxed and reflective: Journal cards are part of the experience, not just an extra craft activity.
• The timing can vary: The official duration is about 75 minutes, but some groups finish much sooner.
• It works best as a social outing: Friends, couples, families, and small groups of up to 20 can enjoy the shared table setting.

Finding the candle studio on Michigan Avenue

The class begins and ends at 900 North Michigan Shops, 900 Michigan Avenue. This is a central spot on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, so you can easily pair the activity with shopping, lunch, or a walk along Michigan Avenue.

The important detail is the exact business name. The class takes place at Reggie Hathorn, on the sixth floor of the shopping center. The full address alone may not get you there quickly, so allow extra time to find the store and reach the correct floor. This is especially important if you are celebrating a birthday or arriving with a group on a tight schedule.

Public transportation is nearby, and service animals are allowed. Parking is available with validation listed at $12 for three hours. That fee matters when you compare the total cost of the outing, particularly if two or more people are driving separately.

Once you arrive, the activity ends at the same location. There is no second meeting point and no transportation between stops.

Choosing a scent takes more thought than you expect

The class starts with fragrance selection, and this is where the personal part begins. You work with a range of oils, smelling and comparing them before deciding what belongs in your candle.

You may think you know exactly what you want, then change your mind after testing several scents. That is part of the appeal. The process gives you a chance to consider how different fragrances work alone and together instead of simply picking a finished candle from a shelf.

I would not rush this stage. A custom scent is the part of the activity that gives the candle meaning, and it is also the section most likely to create conversation. Friends can compare ideas, couples can argue over what smells best, and solo participants can make something based entirely on personal taste.

The fragrance area can become intense after a while. If you are sensitive to strong smells, prepare for plenty of scented air during the class. You can still enjoy the activity, but it may be wise to take the scent selection slowly and pay attention to how you feel.

Pouring your 100% soy wax candle

After you settle on a fragrance, the facilitator walks you through the candle-making process. All the main supplies are included: 100% soy wax, fragrance oils, a vessel, and the equipment needed to make the candle.

You create one 8 oz candle, rather than simply watching a demonstration. That hands-on element gives the experience its value. You leave with a useful object that carries the scent you selected, not a generic souvenir chosen by someone else.

The process is designed for beginners. You do not need prior candle-making experience, and the instruction is presented step by step. Alana has received especially warm praise for explaining the process clearly and taking time with the group. Reggie and his team also shape the wider atmosphere, which is tied to a calming, mental-health-focused approach.

The actual pouring may not take long. The slower part is usually deciding on the fragrance and enjoying the conversation around the table. If your group makes quick decisions, your candle may be finished well before the full allotted time.

That is worth keeping in mind when planning your day. Do not assume this is a two-hour workshop. The stated duration is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, while some small groups have completed the main activity in roughly 45 minutes.

A candle class with a quieter purpose

This experience is not only about making something to take home. The business presents the class as a chance to create, reflect, and spend time with another person or with yourself.

Journal cards are included near the end. You may use them to pause and reflect after the practical work is done. That feature will matter more to someone looking for a restorative activity than to someone who simply wants to produce a candle as fast as possible.

I like this distinction because it explains why the experience can feel different from a standard craft workshop. The candle is the physical result, but the class also makes room for conversation and a change of pace in the middle of a busy Chicago day.

Still, the reflective element is personal. If you want constant instruction, lots of technical information, or a long class packed with candle science, this may feel brief. If you want time to chat, laugh, and make something with your hands, the format makes more sense.

The social setup works best with the right company

The class can hold up to 20 participants, so the mood depends partly on the size and makeup of your session. A large group can create a lively shared activity, while a small group may move through the steps quickly.

This is a natural choice for a birthday, date, family afternoon, girls’ outing, or reunion. It has enough structure to prevent awkwardness, but enough free time for conversation. You do not need to be an experienced crafter. You only need to be willing to smell several oils and make a few decisions.

It can also work alone. A solo participant can focus on the fragrance choices and use the quiet time for reflection. The social setting means you are not isolated, but you also do not need to bring a large group.

The activity is suitable for most participants, and one family outing included a 14-year-old. The supplied information does not give a formal minimum age, so confirm age requirements if you are booking for a younger child.

BYOB details and what to bring

BYOB is included in the experience information, but you should check the current instructions before arriving. Earlier descriptions of the activity led some participants to expect alcohol to be provided, while later information clarified the BYOB setup.

The safest approach is to treat BYOB as bring your own beverage, not as complimentary wine or cocktails. If you bring food, remember that utensils are not provided. A simple snack may be possible, but plan accordingly.

You do not need to bring candle-making equipment or materials. Those are supplied. The practical items to bring are your booking confirmation, your chosen beverage if you want one, and enough time to find the sixth-floor location.

Is an 8 oz candle worth $75?

The price is $75 per person. That is not a bargain if you judge the outing only by the finished candle. An 8 oz candle can cost far less in a shop, and some groups have felt the activity was expensive when they finished in under an hour.

The better question is what you are paying for. The fee covers instruction, materials, fragrance selection, the candle vessel, the time spent making the candle, and the social setting. You are also paying for a central location and a guided activity that can anchor an afternoon on the Magnificent Mile.

For a birthday, date, or group outing, the price may feel reasonable because the experience itself is the main product. For someone who only wants a handmade candle, buying one elsewhere will cost less and take less time.

I would also confirm any shipping expectations before booking or before leaving. One participant reported being asked to pay an additional $40 for shipping, which came as an unwelcome surprise. The supplied details do not explain when shipping would apply, so ask directly if your candle will be taken home immediately or sent later.

Planning the rest of your Chicago day

The central location makes this easy to combine with other plans. You can shop at 900 North Michigan Shops before or after class, then continue along Michigan Avenue. The activity returns you to the same place, so you do not have to arrange a ride from a separate ending point.

Because the class may finish early, avoid booking a tight reservation immediately afterward. A 75-minute schedule is a useful planning guide, but the hands-on work can move faster for a small or decisive group.

The location also makes this a good rainy-day option, though the activity information says poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. For general cancellations, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Who will enjoy this class most

I would recommend the class to you if you enjoy making something while talking with other people. It is particularly well suited to:

• Couples seeking a simple date activity
• Friends who want a shared project rather than a meal
• Families celebrating a birthday
• Small groups planning a relaxed outing
• Solo visitors who like scent, crafts, and journaling
• Visitors staying near the Magnificent Mile who want a central indoor activity

You may want to skip it if you measure value by technical instruction, class length, or the retail price of the finished candle. The process is beginner-friendly and pleasant, but it is not a long professional candle-making course.

Should you book the Magnificent Mile candle class?

Book it if the idea of creating a personal fragrance, chatting over a shared table, and leaving with your own soy candle sounds better than another standard Chicago attraction. The location is convenient, the supplies are included, and the activity gives you something tangible to take home.

Think twice if $75 feels high for an 8 oz candle or if you need a full 75 minutes of structured instruction. Confirm the exact meeting location, ask about any shipping charge, and clarify the BYOB arrangement before you go.

For a relaxed date, birthday, or friends’ outing, I think the class makes sense. You are paying for the time together as much as the candle. Go with that expectation, and the experience is more likely to feel worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the candle-making class take place?

The class takes place at Reggie Hathorn on the sixth floor of the 900 North Michigan Shops, 900 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at 900 North Michigan Shops.

How long does the class last?

The scheduled duration is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The actual time can vary, and some participants have finished in about 45 minutes.

What will I make?

You will make one custom 8 oz candle using 100% soy wax, fragrance, and a vessel supplied for the class.

Are materials and equipment included?

Yes. Wax, fragrances, vessels, and the equipment needed to make the candle are included.

Is BYOB allowed?

BYOB is listed as an included feature. Check the current instructions before attending because alcohol or other beverages may not be provided by the class.

Can I bring food?

You may bring your own food, but utensils are not provided.

How many people can attend?

The maximum group size is 20 participants.

Is parking available?

Parking validation is listed at $12 for three hours.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.