Yes, You Can Burn Candles Outside For Your Next Party

The flicker of a candle in the evening air does something to a space. It slows things down. Makes the patio feel more like a room. Reminds your guests they’re somewhere worth staying for a while.

So yes—you can burn candles outside. But if you’re expecting the same experience you get indoors, you’ll be disappointed. Outdoors, scent doesn’t linger. Wax moves differently. Wind has opinions. But if you know how to work with it—not against it—the glow is worth it.

Inside, scent hangs in the air, builds over time, fills the room. Outside, it disappears into the breeze almost as soon as it arrives. Even a strong candle—one that would take over your living room—will barely whisper outside. That’s not a flaw. It’s a shift in mindset. Use candles to set the tone, not dominate it. 

Leave a candle in the sun too long and it’ll soften before you even strike a match. Light it on a breezy night and it might sputter, tunnel, or blow out altogether. Too much moisture in the air, and you’ll get a weak burn—maybe no burn at all.

Wind is the biggest troublemaker. It leans the flame, melts the wax unevenly, and speeds everything up. It can also kick up soot if the flame starts dancing too hard.

If you’re burning outside, give the candle shelter. Use a lantern, a hurricane glass, a cloche—something to buffer the flame and keep it steady. Still seeing the flame lean to one side? Rotate the vessel every so often to even out the burn.

• Light candles before guests arrive.
  Give them 30–45 minutes to burn before the party starts. The scent will settle in, and the wax will pool evenly.
• Use one scent, repeated.
  Pick a fragrance that fits the mood, then stick with it. One candle won’t carry far outside, but a few of the same scent placed around the space will create a gentle atmosphere.
• Keep fragrance off the dinner table.
  Even a good scent can clash with food. Use unscented candles on the table, and place scented ones a few feet away.
• Trim the wicks before lighting.
  It takes two seconds and makes a huge difference, especially outdoors. Clean, short wicks mean less smoke, steadier flames, and longer burn time.
• Avoid ground-level placement.
  No candles near walkways or steps. Someone will bump it. Use raised surfaces—tables, ledges, or sturdy stands.
• Blow them out before the party winds down.
  Once people move inside or the conversation fades, extinguish the flames. It’s safer—and signals the night’s shifting.

Burning candles outside isn’t about perfection. The scent might fade. The wax might burn a little uneven. But the feeling—of warmth, of care, of light that doesn’t try too hard—is something guests remember.