Chicago Candle Making Class On Magnificent Mile

The best part of this Magnificent Mile class is the scent-making. You test different fragrance oils, decide what fits your mood, then pour a custom 8 oz soy candle to take home. It is part craft lesson, part social outing, and part quiet reset.

I like the easy, guided process and the chance to make something personal rather than buying another souvenir. I also like the central location, since you can walk straight into Chicago shopping, dining, or sightseeing afterward. The main drawback is value: at $75 per person, the class can feel costly if you finish quickly or expect a full 90-minute workshop.

Key points to know before you book

• You make one 8 oz candle: All wax, fragrance oils, vessels, and equipment are supplied.
• The scent choice is the heart of the class: You create a personal fragrance instead of following one fixed recipe.
• Plan for about 75 minutes: Some groups take the full time, while others finish in roughly 45 minutes.
• Find Reggie Hathorn on the sixth floor: The address alone can be confusing, so use the store name and floor.
• Bring your own drink if you want one: BYOB is included, but alcohol is not supplied.
• The setting suits groups of up to 20: It works especially well for birthdays, dates, family outings, and friends who like making things together.

Making a candle above the Magnificent Mile

This is a small creative workshop inside the 900 North Michigan Shops at 900 Michigan Avenue. The class takes place on the sixth floor at Reggie Hathorn, a store that also hosts perfume-making activities.

That store name matters. The address on its own does not tell you exactly where to go, and several people have arrived late because the business name and full directions were not clear. I would allow extra time to enter the shopping center, find the elevators, and reach the sixth floor.

Once you arrive, you sit at a shared table with the supplies set out for the class. The maximum group size is 20, so the room can feel social without being a huge production. You may be working with a partner, a family group, or other people who simply enjoy hands-on activities.

The mood is casual. You are not expected to arrive with candle-making experience, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed, and the location is near public transportation.

Choosing fragrance oils without rushing

The fragrance selection is the most personal part of the experience. You work through different oils and consider how they smell alone and how they might work together. That sounds simple, but scent is subjective, and the right combination may take time.

The instructor talks you through the process step by step. Alana received especially warm praise for her teaching, and other staff members, including Reggie and his team, have been noted for creating a friendly atmosphere. The exact instructor may vary, so I would not book solely on the promise of one named teacher, but the teaching style is meant to be supportive rather than technical.

I like that this stage gives the class a reason to slow down. You can compare scents with the people at your table, talk about what each fragrance reminds you of, and settle on something that feels personal. It is more engaging than simply choosing from three ready-made options.

There is one practical warning. A room filled with fragrance oils can become tiring if you are sensitive to smells. Bring that into your decision before booking, especially if you prefer low-scent environments.

Pouring your 100 percent soy candle

After choosing your fragrance, you combine it with 100 percent soy wax and pour it into your candle vessel. All the basic materials are provided, including the wax, fragrances, container, and equipment. You only need to bring yourself, plus anything you want to drink or eat.

The process is designed for beginners. You do not need to understand wax temperatures, fragrance ratios, or candle chemistry in advance. The instructor explains what to do, then gives you room to work through the steps.

Your finished candle is the tangible part of the price. You leave with a candle made from the fragrance you selected, not a generic item pulled from a shelf. That personal connection is a real benefit if you are marking a birthday, celebrating a friendship, or looking for a keepsake from Chicago.

Still, keep the size in mind. The finished candle is 8 ounces. Several people have felt that $75 is high for that amount of product, particularly when the class ends well before the advertised approximate duration. If your main goal is to buy a candle, this is not the economical way to do it. You are paying for the guided activity, the social time, the setting, and the creative process.

The journaling and reflection element

This is not presented as a candle class alone. The business has a mental health and reflection theme, and the session can include journal cards or time to write. That part will appeal to you if you want a calm activity rather than a loud group event.

The journaling does not replace the candle-making. It works as an optional pause at the end, giving you a moment to think about the scent you created and the mood you want it to bring into your home. Some people will find that meaningful. Others may simply want to finish the candle and get on with their afternoon.

That difference helps explain why the timing feels uneven. The official duration is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes, but one small group finished in about 45 minutes. Another group used more of the available time while developing its fragrance. If you want the full reflective component, do not rush the scent selection. If you are booking mainly for the finished candle, the class may feel short.

I would treat the stated duration as an upper guide, not a firm promise that every minute will be filled with instruction.

BYOB, food, and what to bring

The experience includes BYOB, meaning you can bring your own beverage. Do not assume that wine, cocktails, or another drink will be provided. Earlier descriptions caused confusion about alcohol being included, and the current information makes clear that you should bring your own if you want one.

You may also bring food, but the venue does not provide utensils. That is a small detail with practical value. Pack anything you can manage without forks, knives, or serving tools, or eat before class.

The basic candle supplies are covered in the $75 price. You do not need to bring wax, fragrance, containers, or equipment. Wear something comfortable for sitting and working at a table, though the supplied information does not require special clothing or protective gear.

Finding the class at 900 North Michigan Shops

The location is excellent for a Chicago day, but the arrival instructions need care. Use this full address:

900 North Michigan Shops

900 Michigan Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60611

Then look for Reggie Hathorn on the sixth floor. The store name is more useful than the address alone. This is the same class location where perfume-making activities take place, which can help you recognize the business once you are inside.

The Magnificent Mile setting makes this easy to pair with other plans. You can shop nearby, meet for lunch, or continue toward other central Chicago sights after the candle session. The activity ends where it begins, so there is no separate return transfer or confusing final meeting point.

Parking is available with validation for $12 for three hours. If you are driving, factor that into the total cost. Public transportation is another practical choice because the venue is near transit, though the supplied details do not identify a particular station or route.

How much value do you get for $75?

At $75 per person, this is a premium craft activity. The price includes instruction, materials, equipment, fragrance selection, and one custom 8 oz candle. It also buys you a social setting in one of Chicago’s most central shopping areas.

The value is strongest when you use the class as a shared occasion. A birthday group, date, family outing, or gathering of friends gets more from the conversation and scent-testing than someone who wants the cheapest possible candle. A group of 12 friends has enjoyed the format, and the maximum capacity of 20 allows for a larger outing.

The value is weaker if you are alone, finish in 45 minutes, and measure the purchase only by the candle’s size. The finished item is not inexpensive, and the class does not guarantee a long, tightly scheduled workshop.

I would ask yourself one simple question: are you paying for a candle, or are you paying for an hour of making one with other people? If the first answer is true, choose a shop. If the second is true, the price may make sense.

Who will enjoy this class most?

This class fits people who like light creative work, conversation, and a relaxed pace. You do not have to be an experienced crafter. The instructions are clear, and the scent selection gives everyone a personal decision to make.

It is a good choice for:

• A birthday celebration for a parent or friend
• A low-key date activity
• Sisters, cousins, or friends visiting Chicago
• A family outing with older children or teenagers
• A solo creative break in the city
• A small work or social group

A 14-year-old has taken part with a parent, and the activity suits most participants. The data does not give a formal minimum age, so check the current booking details if you are planning to bring a younger child.

You may want to skip it if strong fragrances bother you, if you need a highly structured 90-minute class, or if $75 feels too high for one 8 oz candle. The experience is more about the process and the people than about producing a large or technically advanced candle.

Timing, group size, and the real pace

The published duration is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. The class has a maximum of 20 people, though the number in your session can vary.

Expect the activity to move through three broad stages:

1. You settle in and learn the basic candle-making steps.
2. You smell and combine fragrance oils to create your preferred scent.
3. You pour the scented soy wax, then have time for journaling or reflection.

The fragrance stage controls the pace. A group that knows what it likes may finish quickly. A group that compares every oil and talks through each choice may use the full allotted time.

That flexible pace is pleasant for some people and frustrating for others. I would not schedule a major timed attraction immediately afterward. Give yourself room to finish without watching the clock, then enjoy the surrounding Magnificent Mile area.

Cancellation and practical booking details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can show it on your phone. The activity is offered in English.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The experience is booked an average of 17 days ahead, which suggests you should reserve early if your Chicago schedule is fixed or if you are organizing a group. That is particularly sensible for birthdays and holiday visits.

My advice on making the decision

I like this class because it gives you a handmade object and a reason to sit, talk, and make choices together. The fragrance process is simple but personal, and the central location makes it easy to fit into a day in Chicago. The instructors have earned strong praise for being patient and friendly, with Alana specifically named for excellent facilitation.

The concerns are just as clear. The $75 price is high for an 8 oz candle, some sessions finish early, and the arrival directions have not always made the sixth-floor store easy to find. Scent-sensitive people should also think twice, and you should bring your own drink if BYOB matters to you.

Book it if you want a social creative activity and will value the memory as much as the candle. Skip it if you are focused on quantity, low cost, or a guaranteed full-length workshop.

FAQ

Where does the candle-making class take place?

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

How long does the class last?

The approximate duration is 1 hour 15 minutes. Your session may be shorter if you make your fragrance and candle quickly.

What kind of candle will I make?

You will make one custom 8 oz candle using 100 percent soy wax, fragrance oils, and a supplied vessel.

Are the candle materials included?

Yes. Wax, fragrances, vessels, equipment, and other basic supplies needed for the candle are provided.

Do I need to bring anything?

You only need to bring yourself for the candle-making portion. You may bring your own beverage or food, but the venue does not provide utensils.

Is alcohol included?

No alcohol is supplied. The experience is BYOB, so bring your own beverage if you want one.

How many people can join the class?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Is the class near public transportation?

Yes. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Is parking available?

Parking validation is available for $12 for three hours.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.