How Big Is Yankee Candle Village?
Yankee Candle Village is the flagship store for the popular candle company Yankee Candle. Located in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, the store first opened in 1969 when founder Michael Kittredge began selling candles made from melted crayons as a way to make extra income. From these humble beginnings, Kittredge built Yankee Candle into a globally recognized brand with over 600 retail stores.
The Village store opened in 1975 and is known for being the world’s largest candle store. Spanning over 200,000 square feet, the flagship location includes exhibits on candle making, restaurants, candle accessories, gifts and much more. It’s an interactive, sensory experience that brings the iconic brand to life. Visitors can watch candles being made, sample dozens of scents, dine, and explore Christmas exhibits year-round. The Village has become a popular tourist attraction and shopping destination in New England.
Location
Yankee Candle Village is located in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, in the scenic Pioneer Valley region of western Massachusetts. The village sits off Route 5 and Interstate 91, about a 2 hour drive from Boston and a 90 minute drive from Hartford, Connecticut.
The physical address for Yankee Candle Village is 25 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield, MA 01373. It’s easy to get to from the major highways in the area.
Coming from the south, take Interstate 91 North to Exit 27, Yankee Candle/South Deerfield. After the tolls, take the ramp on the right for Yankee Candle. Continue straight through the sets of lights until you reach the entrance for Yankee Candle on the right.
From the north, take Interstate 91 South to Exit 27 and follow the same directions, turning right at the bottom of the ramp and continuing straight until you see Yankee Candle Village on your right.
The village has ample free parking available for guests.
Store Layout
Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, Massachusetts is laid out across multiple buildings, making it one of the largest candle stores in the world. The main building is the Chandler’s Court Candle Shoppe, which has 2 floors filled with rows upon rows of candles in every scent imaginable. This is where you’ll find Yankee Candle’s signature jar candles, as well as pillars, tarts, tea lights, and more.
Connected to the Chandler’s Court shop is the Christmas Shoppe. True to its name, this section contains Christmas decorations galore. From ornaments and tree toppers, to holiday candles and gift sets, it’s a Christmas lover’s paradise. Wandering through the Christmas Shoppe is like walking into Santa’s workshop.
Across from the main Chandler’s Court building is the Seasons Shoppe. This area carries Yankee Candle’s home decor items and gifts for occasions other than Christmas. You’ll find candles and decor for fall, spring, summer barbecues, weddings, birthdays, and more. The merchandise rotates throughout the year to match each changing season.
There are also several smaller standalone buildings at Yankee Candle Village. The Flagship House contains luxury home fragrances and gifts. The Party Favors Shoppe has candles and party supplies for weddings and special events. The Retail Warehouse Outlet sells Yankee Candle overstock items at discounted prices.
Candle Making
One of the unique features of Yankee Candle Village is the opportunity to see firsthand how their famous candles are made. Spread throughout the massive 60,000 square foot store are several candle making demonstrations that run periodically each day. Knowledgeable Yankee Candle employees provide educational and entertaining narration as you watch candles being constructed before your eyes.
See candles in various stages of production, from pouring the wax into containers to adding the signature fragrances and arranging the final wicks. It’s fascinating to observe the intricate craftsmanship that goes into each and every candle. The demonstration areas allow you to get up close to the process and ask questions of the candle makers, making for an interactive experience.
For those interested in a deeper dive, Yankee Candle Village offers candle making classes periodically where you can learn tips and techniques and make your own candle to take home. It’s a fun hands-on activity for crafters of all ages and makes for a unique visit.
With candle making an integral part of the Yankee Candle brand, witnessing the process in action adds an extra element of entertainment and education to the shopping experience. It’s one of the many aspects that makes the flagship Village store a must-see attraction.
Dining Options
One of the highlights of visiting Yankee Candle Village is the opportunity to dine at the Chandler’s Restaurant located right on site. Chandler’s offers a fun, family-friendly atmosphere along with delicious American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant has seating for over 400 guests, so it’s usually not difficult to get a table even during peak times.
The menu features classic dishes like burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pasta, as well as Yankee Candle-inspired items like the Candleberry Pie. There’s also a kid’s menu with favorites like chicken fingers, mac and cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches to ensure the little ones have something they enjoy. To complement your meal, Chandler’s has a full bar and wine list with a nice selection of craft beers.
In addition to the main dining room, Chandler’s also has private event spaces that can be reserved for special occasions. The beautiful New England countryside views from the oversized windows also make it a wonderful spot for a relaxing meal during your time exploring Yankee Candle Village.
Special Events at Yankee Candle Village
Yankee Candle Village hosts several special events throughout the year that attract visitors from near and far. The most popular event is the annual Christmas festival held each November and December.
During the Christmas festival, the entire Yankee Candle Village is decked out in beautiful Christmas decorations. There are carolers singing Christmas songs, Santa Claus available for pictures, horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas arts and crafts, and more. The halls and shops are filled with the sights, sounds and scents of Christmas.
Visitors can also enjoy live musical performances on weekends during the festival. Some of the most popular shows feature Christmas classics performed by choirs and bands. It’s a magical experience walking through the Christmas wonderland at Yankee Candle Village during the festival.
Of course, the Christmas festival also offers great shopping opportunities. Special limited edition holiday candles and other Christmas-themed gifts can be purchased throughout the shops. It’s the perfect place to get into the holiday spirit.
Other notable annual events include a Fall Festival in October and various craft fairs and antique shows held on select weekends throughout the year. Yankee Candle Village draws big crowds whenever they host special events.
Other Nearby Attractions
In addition to the expansive Yankee Candle Village store, there are other interesting attractions located right nearby that make the area a great place for a day trip or weekend getaway. One of the most popular nearby attractions is the Yankee Candle Museum just across the street.
The Yankee Candle Museum provides a fascinating look at the history of candle making in New England. Visitors can see artifacts and historical documents from when candle making was a crucial colonial industry. There are interactive exhibits demonstrating how early candle makers practiced their trade.
Antique candle molds, wicks, and other equipment are on display at the museum. Guests can watch live candle dipping demonstrations and learn how early candle makers revolutionized the industry. The onsite gift shop has reproduction candle making kits and historical books for sale as mementos of your visit.
In addition to candle-related history, the area has various historical sites from the colonial era and 19th century that provide insight into the region’s culture and architecture. Deerfield is home to well-preserved 18th century homesteads. There are guided tours of these properties where you can envision colonial life.
The historic campus of Deerfield Academy also provides beautiful architecture and scenery for an afternoon walk. The area around Yankee Candle Village is ideal for learning about New England’s place in early American history while also enjoying the present-day leisure of shopping and dining.
Shopping
The shopping at Yankee Candle Village is a huge attraction that brings in visitors from around the world. With over 200,00 square feet of shopping space, it is one of the largest candle stores in the world. Shoppers will find rows upon rows of Yankee Candles in every scent imaginable. Some of the signature scents available include Clean Cotton, Vanilla Cupcake, Lavender Vanilla, and MidSummer’s Night.
Beyond candles, Yankee Candle Village has a wide array of home decor items, gifts, and Yankee Candle accessories. Shoppers can find candle holders, lamps, blankets, frames, jewelry, kitchen items, and much more. Many items feature the classic Yankee Candle branding and designs. The store also sells the popular Scenterpiece warmers where candles can be placed on top to melt the wax and disperse the scent. Unique gift baskets with candles, accessories, and other items are also available.
With new products and seasonal collections constantly being introduced, there is always something new to find at the expansive Yankee Candle Village store. It offers an unparalleled candle and home decor shopping experience.
Size and Scope
With over 250,000 square feet of shopping area, Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, Massachusetts is considered the ultimate candle shopping destination. This massive complex contains over 90 individual stores spread across 2 floors, making it one of the largest candle shopping experiences in the world.
In addition to candles, Yankee Candle Village offers a vast array of home decor, gift items, toys, candy, fudge, kitchenware, Christmas ornaments, and more. Even with hundreds of thousands of products available, the inventory is always changing, with new seasonal items arriving daily. From Halloween through Christmas, the selection of holiday and seasonal merchandise is unparalleled.
The candle selection itself is astounding, with over 150 unique scents available at any given time. Exclusive fragrances and designs can only be found at Yankee Candle Village, making every visit full of new discoveries. With jar candles, tumblers, tea lights, outdoor candles, and more, they offer every type of candle imaginable.
Whether you love browsing for hours or are looking for a specific candle scent or home decor item, Yankee Candle Village has the square footage and inventory to satisfy any shopper. The store’s massive size contributes to its reputation as an iconic New England attraction.
Visitor Information
Yankee Candle Village welcomes visitors of all ages from across the country and abroad. Here is some key information for planning your trip:
Hours
The Village is open year-round, 7 days a week. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sundays from 11am to 5pm. The Village is only closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Admission
General admission to Yankee Candle Village is free. You pay only for any activities, dining, or shopping during your visit.
Group Rates
Special group rates are available for parties of 20 or more. Groups must make reservations in advance to qualify for discounts on admission to candle making demonstrations, the Bavarian Christmas Village, and more. Contact the Yankee Candle Group Sales Office at 1-800-243-1776 for more information or to book your group’s experience.