Winterfest Candle-Making Workshop at Colony House — Hand-Dip Beeswax Tapers in Newport

At the center of Newport’s Washington Square, the Winterfest Candle-Making Workshop transforms the stately rooms of the Colony House into a small, warm studio for making beeswax tapers. Held in Newport, Rhode Island, this one-hour hands-on session (6:00–7:00) teaches participants to hand-dip and finish a pair of six-inch beeswax candles under the guidance of instructor Kaela Bleho of the NHS. The workshop opens with a short history of candle-making and how beeswax candles played a daily role in colonial Rhode Island life. Participants learn traditional dipping techniques, shaping, and finishing touches while the instructor circulates with practical tips and a 1-page worksheet to take home. The setting—an 18th-century square framed by colonial brick and views toward Narragansett Bay—adds tangible context: you’re not only crafting an object, you’re working in the same civic heart that hosted Newport’s early gatherings. What stands out is the mix of quiet craftsmanship and place-based storytelling. The tapers are simple—six-inch beeswax candles—but the process is deliberate, and the tactile steps (warming, dipping, rolling, trimming) make for an immersive, low-tech counterpoint to Newport’s busy waterfront. The workshop is geared to adults (minimum age 16) and works well for couples, friends, or solo visitors looking for a creative break from the summer crowds or winter festivals. Practical details are straightforward: arrive at Colony House in Washington Square, bring curiosity, and dress for a light hands-on craft where wax and drips are possible. The class supplies materials and instruction; each person leaves with a handmade pair of candles and clear next-step notes to continue at home. The instructor, Kaela Bleho, brings a blend of craft skill and archival context—expect short historical anecdotes that anchor the craft to local life. This workshop is a quietly distinctive addition to Newport’s outdoor-leaning recreation scene because it pairs material history with a tactile souvenir you made yourself. It’s an intimate indoor option for visitors who want to step off the Cliff Walk for an hour and learn a skill rooted in the region’s past. Whether planning a romantic Valentine’s outing during Winterfest or seeking a creative souvenir, the workshop offers a meaningful, hands-on connection to Newport’s cultural landscape. Beyond the immediate craft, the evening offers practical takeaways: a worksheet that outlines supplies and measured ratios, troubleshooting notes for common problems like hump formation and weak wicks, and suggestions for sustainable sourcing of beeswax and cotton wicking. If you’re visiting Newport for its coastal walks and Gilded Age mansions, this class is a compact cultural stop that fills an hour with skill and story. Space can be limited for seasonal Winterfest events; booking ahead via the referral link ensures you’ll have a seat at the table and a pair of tapers to take home.