NOTE: This Post was written in 2016. As such, the content and exhibits in the review below may be outdated. Please look out for updated content on this location in the near future!
There’s nothing better than a place that combines shopping and fun filled children’s activities. It’s just the best of both worlds. I love traveling up to Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, Massachusetts for that reason. I get to shop for candles and other fun things, and my child gets to see Santa, play with toys, and watch it snow. We’ve taken him twice now, and he seems to love it more every time we go!
The Village is a ways up north in South Deerfield, about 45 minutes from the border of Massachusetts and Connecticut. It’s pretty direct from 1-91 and easy to find though.
You will see the Yankee Candle Village right off of Route 5.
There is really no perfect place to park. Where you enter, is a matter of preference. I personally always like to enter by the Yankee Candle Home. The other entrances include by the General Store, and the Candlemaking Museum.
When you enter, try to grab a map because this place is overwhelming!
Be prepared to be overwhelmed by candles!
The Home Store has decorations for the home, some clothing accessories and bags, candles of course, Alex & Ani bracelets, and more. I like starting and ending here (there are multiple checkouts throughout the store).
From here, you can go any direction.
There’s a whole room with Stonewall Kitchen goodness:
The Sale Scenter (yes, candles ON SALE):
The huge Candle Emporium with every candle scent you can possibly imagine:
This room also has some fun kid activities at Wax Works: Make your own wax hands, Dip your own candle, and Make your own layered candle! These are more geared towards older kids.
Once you’ve had some fun, you can head through the Man Cave, the Candlemaking Museum and then towards my favorite room: The General Store! This room has old fashioned candy, soup and bread mixes, and of course, more candles!
After that room, you’ll head to the Candle Shop for more candles! In case you missed those so far.
From there, the fun really begins in Black Forest, Bavarian Village and Nutcracker Castle!
Watch above you! It snows every few minutes in Bavarian Village!
Make sure to pose for some pictures!
He was getting bored… 
But that’s okay, we found something to cheer him up really fast! Santa’s Toy Shop!!
We also found Santa’s sleigh… but someone was missing.
Wait, there he is! We found Santa!
Santa made sure that we have been good this year, and he reminded us that he would be visiting with toys soon!
After the Toy Shop, there is Yankee Candy and a few other fun kid activities, including this super cute book store, a huge candy wall and a fun boat to climb on!
From Yankee Candy, you’ll start to be nearing the end. However, make sure to allow time to walk around New England Market and have a snack, some fudge or popcorn, maybe grab some ice cream. There’s lots of tables so you can take a little break. Check out a show with the Candle Mountain Boys and do some more shopping at the few kiosks around the room. There’s also more candles… in case you missed that. 
Yankee Candle Village is a great place to check out, especially with children. They will have fun, despite the fact that you tricked them into going shopping! There is so much to see and do here, and if you plan the visit right, you can even catch a special activity with Santa (we’ve had ice cream with him before, as well as decorated cupcakes). Make sure to visit their website for up to date events and information.
It’s a drive, yes, but it’s worth it!
This about sums it up…
25 Greenfield Road – South Deerfield, MA 01373
Hours:
Monday – Sunday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day
Features:
- Stroller accessible!
- Free Parking!
- Bathrooms & changing tables located throughout store
- Food for Purchase
- Lots of seating in the New England Market
- Shopping (plan to spend some money!)
- Santa – Special Events
