Candle Making Classes Novi, MI
Urban Wick Candle Bar in nearby Birmingham, MI, offers a hands-on candle-making experience where you choose from 80+ fragrance oils, blend your own signature scent, and pour a custom soy candle to take home. Located about 20 minutes from Novi via I-96 or M-5, the experience takes 45-60 minutes of active pouring with a 90-120 minute curing time. Reservations are recommended. Candles start at $38.
Watch the 90-second experience
Key Takeaways
- Urban Wick Candle Bar is roughly a 20-minute drive from Novi, located at 172 N. Old Woodward Ave. in downtown Birmingham, MI.
- You'll choose from 80+ premium fragrance oils and pour your own natural soy wax candle during a 45-60 minute guided experience.
- Candles range from $38 to $75, depending on vessel size (6oz to 20oz), and you can also make diffusers, room sprays, soaps, and more, starting at $25.
- Private events for up to 30 guests and group reservations for 9-14 are available by phone. Online booking handles parties of 1-8.
- Walk-ins are seated on a first-come basis, but reservations are strongly encouraged, especially on weekends.
Where Novi Families Come to Create Custom Candles
If you live in Novi, you already know the routine. Twelve Oaks Mall on Saturday. A movie on Sunday. Maybe dinner at one of the same spots you've been to a dozen times. There's nothing wrong with any of that, but sometimes you want something different.
Urban Wick Candle Bar is something different.
Located in downtown Birmingham (just about 20 minutes east of Novi), this is Southeast Michigan's first candle bar. You walk in, pick your scents, blend your own fragrance combination, and pour a candle made from natural soy wax with organic cotton wicks and clean-burning fragrance oils. The whole thing is guided by the team's Scent Designers, so you never feel lost or rushed.
Last Saturday, a family of four drove over from Novi after their kids had been begging to "make something cool" for weeks. The parents figured it would hold the kids' attention for maybe ten minutes. Two hours later, nobody wanted to leave. The 11-year-old made a candle she named "Soccer Practice Sunset," and her younger brother went all-in on a blend he described as "the woods but with cookies." That's the kind of thing that happens here.
This isn't a typical crafting activity. It's a full sensory candle-making experience that families, couples, and friend groups from Novi have been making part of their regular rotation since Urban Wick opened in July 2020.
A Hands-On Fragrance Experience Unlike Anything in Novi
Novi has a lot going for it. Great schools, easy freeway access, solid restaurants. What it doesn't have (yet) is a candle bar. That's why so many Novi residents make the short trip east to Birmingham.
At Urban Wick, everything is hands-on. You're not watching someone else make a candle. You're doing it yourself. You smell the oils. You decide the ratios. You pour the wax. And you walk out with a finished product that smells exactly the way you want it to.
With more than 80 premium fragrance oils on the wall, the options stretch far beyond "lavender" and "vanilla." You'll find seasonal scents, bold combinations, and unexpected pairings that make the blending process genuinely exciting. Want to browse our full fragrance collection before your visit? Go for it. A lot of Novi guests like to scope out their favorites ahead of time.
Just a Short Drive from Novi to Downtown Birmingham
Here's the deal: the drive from Novi to Urban Wick Candle Bar is about 20 minutes. Take I-96 East to M-5/Grand River, or hop on I-275 to I-696 and cut down into Birmingham. Either way, you'll land on Old Woodward Ave. in the heart of downtown.
Parking is straightforward. The 333 Park Street structure is a three-minute walk from the front door, and the first two hours are free. Most guests park there and stroll in without any hassle.
Once you're in Birmingham, you're surrounded by shops and restaurants. A lot of families from Novi make a whole afternoon out of it: pour candles, grab lunch, wander around downtown. It turns a creative outing into a full-day trip without ever needing to get back on the freeway.
Your Step-by-Step Candle Pouring Journey
If you've never done this before, you might be wondering what the process actually looks like. The short answer: it's simple, it's fun, and it's way more relaxing than you'd expect.
Pick Your Scents from 80+ Fragrance Oils
Your experience starts at the fragrance wall. This is where most people spend the most time (and honestly, nobody blames them). With 80+ oils arranged by scent family, you'll test and sniff until you find the ones that speak to you.
A few things worth knowing:
- Each oil has a test strip so you can smell without committing.
- Scent Designers are right there to help if you feel overwhelmed.
- You can go bold, go subtle, or go completely off the map. There are no rules.
Some Novi visitors come in knowing exactly what they want. Others discover a fragrance they never would have picked on their own. Both approaches work perfectly.
Mix and Blend Your Signature Combination
Once you've chosen your oils, you blend them. This is where it gets personal. You pick the ratios, adjust the balance, and create a combination that's yours.
Think of it like being a chef, but for scent. A little more of this. A touch less of that. The Scent Designers can guide you on which oils pair well, but the final call is always yours.
A couple from Novi came in for their anniversary last month. She leaned toward florals. He wanted something woodsy. They ended up blending a single candle together that combined both preferences, and it turned out to be their favorite scent in the house. That's the magic of mixing your own.
Pour, Set, and Take Home Your Creation
After your blend is locked in, you pour the natural soy wax into your chosen vessel. Sizes range from 6oz ($38) to 20oz ($75), so there's a fit for every budget and shelf.
The active pouring takes about 45-60 minutes. After that, your candle needs 90-120 minutes to cure. During that waiting period, most Novi guests explore downtown Birmingham, grab coffee, or browse the other products in the shop (diffusers, room sprays, soaps, lotions, and wax melts starting at $25).
Once cured, your candle is ready to go. With proper care, an 8oz candle burns for about 60 hours. That's a lot of evenings on the couch.
Design a Scent That's Completely Yours
Premium Oils for Every Mood and Season
The fragrance collection at Urban Wick rotates and expands regularly. Whether you're pouring in January or July, you'll find oils that match the season, your mood, or a memory you're chasing.
Discover the primary scent families that make up our diverse collection:
| Scent Family | Examples You Might Find |
|---|---|
| Fresh & Clean | Linen, sea salt, cucumber |
| Warm & Cozy | Amber, cashmere, fireside |
| Fruity | Peach, mango, berry blends |
| Floral | Peony, jasmine, gardenia |
| Woodsy | Sandalwood, cedar, pine |
| Seasonal | Pumpkin spice, peppermint, apple orchard |
| Gourmand | Vanilla bean, brown sugar, espresso |
You're not locked into one category. Most guests blend across families, and that's where the best combinations come from.
No Two Candles Are Ever the Same
This is worth repeating: every single candle that leaves Urban Wick is one of a kind. Even if two people pick the same three oils, their ratios will be different. Their vessels will be different. The result is always unique.
That's what makes this a great gift, too. A candle you blended and poured yourself carries more weight than anything you'd grab off a shelf. Novi residents have figured this out, which is why so many come back before holidays, birthdays, and "just because" occasions.
Group Celebrations and Private Candle Pouring Events
Birthday Gatherings and Milestone Parties
Urban Wick is one of the most popular birthday spots for groups coming from Novi, and it's easy to see why. Instead of the usual dinner-and-drinks formula, everyone gets to make something. The birthday person gets a story. The guests get a candle. Everybody wins.
For groups of 9-14, call (248) 977-8432 to reserve. These sessions run between $225 and $350, depending on group size, and are perfect for milestone birthdays, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and baby showers.
Team Outings and Corporate Group Experiences
Looking for a team-building activity that doesn't involve trust falls or awkward icebreakers? Candle pouring is surprisingly effective at getting people to relax, talk, and actually enjoy each other's company.
Corporate groups and work teams from Novi and the surrounding area book group reservation options regularly. It works for small departments, client appreciation events, and even holiday parties.
How to Reserve a Private Session
For larger groups of 18-30, Urban Wick offers private candle pouring events at $450. You get a full three-hour exclusive session with the space all to yourselves.
Here's what private events include:
- Exclusive use of the entire candle bar
- Dedicated Scent Designers for your group
- Full access to all 80+ fragrance oils
- A hands-on experience tailored to your group's vibe
To book a private session, call (248) 977-8432 or email info@UrbanWickCandleBar.com.
Can You Walk In Without a Reservation?
Walk-In Availability Explained
Yes, walk-ins are welcome. But here's the honest truth: seating is based on availability, and the candle bar fills up fast, especially on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If you drive over from Novi without a reservation, you might get lucky. You also might not.
When to Book Ahead
Reservations are strongly encouraged for every visit, regardless of group size. For parties of 1-8, you can book online in minutes through the reservation system. For larger groups (9-14), call ahead. For private events (18-30), plan at least a few weeks out.
Trust me on this one: the 20-minute drive from Novi feels a lot longer if you arrive and can't get a seat. Save yourself the gamble and Make A Reservation before you head out.
What Draws Novi Residents to Urban Wick Candle Bar?
An Atmosphere That Feels Like a Retreat
Urban Wick Candle Bar sits at 172 N. Old Woodward Ave. in downtown Birmingham. The space is warm, well-designed, and the kind of place where you feel calmer just walking through the door.
It's not a sterile studio or a noisy craft room. It feels more like a boutique with a creative heartbeat. Marlene and Elise Mansour (the mother-daughter duo who founded the business in 2020) built the first candle bar in Southeast Michigan with a very specific goal: to make the experience feel elevated without being stuffy.
That balance is exactly what draws Novi families back. You can bring your kids, your partner, your best friend, or your coworkers, and everyone feels comfortable.
Scent Customization You Won't Find Elsewhere
There's nothing like this in Novi. Not at the mall. Not at a big-box craft store. The level of scent customization you get at Urban Wick is specific to their model: 80+ oils, hands-on blending, real soy wax, organic cotton wicks, and the guidance of trained Scent Designers.
With over 300 five-star reviews, the consistency of the experience speaks for itself. Don't take our word for it. Check out what our guests are saying.
An Outing Worth Repeating
Most Novi guests don't come just once. They come back for different seasons, different scent combinations, and different occasions. One visit for a birthday. Another for date night. Another reason is just that it's a rainy Saturday and the kids are bored.
The experience changes every time because your choices change. New oils rotate in. Your mood shifts. And somehow, the candle you make in October smells nothing like the one you made in March. That's what keeps it fresh.
Date Nights, Birthdays, and Weekend Plans Near Novi
A Date Night That Actually Stands Out
You've done dinner. You've done movies. You've done the "let's just walk around the mall" thing more times than you'd care to admit. Candle pouring at Urban Wick is different.
You sit side by side. You smell things together (some great, some hilariously bad). You negotiate a fragrance blend like it's a peace treaty. And you leave with a candle that reminds you of the night every time you light it.
Urban Wick is open Thursday through Saturday from 11 am to 8 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Thursday and Sunday tend to be quieter, making them ideal for a more intimate visit. Closed Monday through Wednesday.
Friends' Night and Social Gatherings
A group of friends from Novi came in on a Friday night a few weeks ago. Five of them. They'd been trying to plan a get-together that wasn't "just dinner" for months. One of them spotted Urban Wick online and booked it.
By the end of the evening, they had five completely different candles and about forty inside jokes about each other's scent preferences. ("You would pick bacon," one of them said. She wasn't wrong.)
For groups of 1-8, online booking is the fastest way to lock in your spot. Larger groups can call for availability.
A Weekend Activity That Sparks Creativity
Novi families looking for a weekend outing that doesn't involve a screen will find a lot to love here. Kids are welcome, the process is straightforward, and everyone leaves with something they made themselves.
It's the kind of activity that works for a wide range of ages and interests. The creative element keeps it engaging. The guidance from Scent Designers keeps it stress-free. And the finished candle (or diffuser, or room spray) gives everyone a tangible takeaway.
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
See how our guests are styling their Urban Wick candles at home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of commonly asked questions about Urban Wick Candle Bar. If you do not see what you are looking for just shoot us an email at info@urbanwickcandlebar.com or give us a call at (248) 977-8432. We’re here for you!
Urban Wick Candle Bar is located at 172 N. Old Woodward Ave. in Birmingham, MI. The drive from Novi is approximately 20 minutes via I-96 East or M-5. The route is straightforward, and free parking is available at the 333 Park Street structure, a three-minute walk from the shop.
No experience is needed at all. The Scent Designers walk you through every step, from choosing your fragrance oils to pouring the wax. The process is designed so that first-timers feel confident from the start.
Yes. Kids are welcome to participate in the same hands-on experience as adults. They choose their own scents, blend their own combination, and pour their own candle. It's a great creative activity for families.
Urban Wick offers vessels ranging from 6oz to 20oz. Candle prices range from $38 for a 6-oz vessel to $75 for a 20-oz vessel. You can also make other products like diffusers, room sprays, soaps, lotions, and wax melts starting at $25.
The active pouring portion takes about 45-60 minutes. After that, your candle needs 90-120 minutes to cure before it's ready to take home. Many guests explore downtown Birmingham during the curing time.
Yes. When you book through the online reservation system, the reservation fee goes toward the cost of your candle or product. You're not paying extra just to hold a spot.
Urban Wick does their best to accommodate late arrivals, but the experience is time-sensitive. If you're running behind, call (248) 977-8432 as soon as possible so the team can advise on your options.
Yes. In addition to candles, you can create reed diffusers, room sprays, hand soaps, lotions, and wax melts. Additional products start at $25 and follow the same hands-on, choose-your-scent process.
Want to Create Your Own?
Visit our candle bar in Downtown Birmingham and pour a custom scent that's all yours.
Or call us: (248) 977-8432 · Thu–Sat 11a–8p · Sun 11a–3p