Tours and Programs

Shane Confectionery hosts both public programs & private parties to further our educational mission to inspire curiosity, wonder, & reflection through interactive, authentic, and delicious food experiences. By hosting workshops, talks, tastings, & tours, and by partnering with Philadelphia-based institutions, Shane celebrates our local history, and explores the rich cultural fabric of the confectionery arts.

*Because of the ongoing public health emergency, we've paused in person programming at Shane Confectionery since March 2020. If your interested in virtual tastings or tours with us, reach out to our Programs Manager, Laurel, at Laurel@FranklinFountain.com.

Please check back for more in person programming in September 2021.

Tickets for upcoming public events available here.

Events Calendar

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2021 Aug September 2022 Oct 2023

On a monthly basis we host special programs, workshops, and events on our premises that showcase chocolate or confectionery history. From chocolate and cocktail pairings to taffy pulls, we’re always offering engaging programs for sweet tooths of all ages and interests.

To learn about upcoming events, check our events calendar or sign up for our e-mail reminders when new programs are announced.

Click here to read about our past events, programs, and offerings!

One of our missions as a historic site is to introduce visitors to history through the irresistible lens of chocolate and confections. The world’s relationship with cacao and sugar traverses a long and winding history, trekking through science, trade, medicine, and industry on the way.

Every Friday we welcome the public into our 150 year old building, where we sample our chocolate and confectionery craft while exploring our historic shop, kitchens, and Chocolate Works production spaces. This tour has something for everyone, and can be described as “historic house tour meets Willy Wonka!” Learn about the antique equipment and recipes still in use today, while admiring the building's architecture, decorative arts, and businesses, and immersing yourself in early chocolate and candy making culture.

If you'd like to schedule a private tour for yourself or your group, or would like to combine a tour with a tasting, please contact tours@shanecandies.com.

Historic Tours Price Guide

Public Friday Historic Tours (Held most Fridays from 6:30p-7:15p):

$10/person.
x2 person minimum, x12 person maximum.
~45 mins.-1 hr.
Reserve tickets online.

Private Historic Tour (Can be scheduled Mon.-Fri., after 6:30p)

$15/person.
x6 person minimum, x12 person maximum.
- $90 flat rate for any group of less than x6 guests.
~45 mins.-1hr.
Customizable topic focus.
Requires x2 weeks advance notice.
E-mail Tours@ShaneCandies.com to schedule.

Private Tour + Chocolate Tasting (Can be scheduled Mon.-Fri., after 6:30p)

Pick either the Traditional Chocolate Tasting or the Chocolate Taste & Paint Workshop.
$35/person.
x6 person minimum, x14 person maximum.
- $210 flat rate for any group of less than x6 guests.
~1.5-2 hrs.
Customizable tour topic focus.
Requires x2 weeks advance notice.
E-mail Tours@ShaneCandies.com to schedule.

Click here to reserve a spot
on this weekly tour,
which starts at 6:30p on Fridays
and runs about 45 minutes.

Love chocolate?

Want to gain a deeper understanding of

cacao, chocolate making, and history?

Chocolate tasting are perfect for a night out with fellow chocolate lovers or a celebratory gathering among close friends. Shane Confectionery offers two varieties of tastings, our Traditional Craft Chocolate Tasting and our Chocolate Taste & Paint Workshop. Both are offered publicly on a rotating basis (check our calendar), and can scheduled privately for groups of six or more (email tours@shanecandies.com).

Chocolate Tasting Info & Price Guide

Private Traditional Chocolate Tasting (Can be scheduled Mon.-Fri., after 6:30p) Join Shane Confectionery for an intimate & informative chocolate tasting with our head Chocolate Maker. The tasting is centered around Shane's Chocolate Works program, which crafts chocolate from the bean, and creates single-origin pieces that highlight regional flavors specific to the environment the cocoa was grown in. During the ~1 hr. tasting, Shane's Chocolate Maker will guide up to twenty-two guests through various chocolate styles, exploring different flavor notes and idiosyncrasies. In this traditional style tasting, guests will have a chance to chat one-on-one with an expert, and leave with newfound knowledge about cacao cultivation and process, as well as the history and craft of chocolate!

$28/person.
x6 person minimum, x22 person maximum.
- $165 flat rate for any group of less than x6 guests.
~1hr.
Requires x2 weeks advance notice.
E-mail Tours[at]ShaneCandies[dot]com to schedule.

Public Traditional Chocolate Tasting (Held first Wednesdays from 6:30p-7:15p)

$25/person.
x4 person minimum, x8 person maximum.
~45 mins.
Reserve tickets online.

Private Chocolate Taste & Paint Workshop (Can be scheduled Mon.-Fri., after 6:30p) Join Shane Confectionery for an artistic bean-to-bar chocolate tasting! Blindfolded, guests try a variety of chocolates crafted by Shane’s makers. They will then use all of their senses to create watercolor paintings that represent their experiences--all while learning about the foundations of chocolate making in America’s oldest confectionery. This lighthearted, 1¼ hr. program translates the experience of tasting chocolate into a visual medium as a way to reconsider, reimagine, and reintroduce the magic of chocolate. This multi sensory workshop is a fun alternative to a traditional tasting, and will leave guests with a newfound appreciation for chocolate and its many flavors!

$28/person.
x6 person minimum, x22 person maximum.
- $165 flat rate for any group of less than x6 guests.
~1.25 hrs.
Requires x2 weeks advance notice.
E-mail Tours[at]ShaneCandies[dot]com to schedule.

Private Tour + Chocolate Tasting (Can be scheduled Mon.-Fri., after 6:30p)

Pick either the Traditional Craft Chocolate Tasting or the Chocolate Taste & Paint Workshop.
$35/person.
x6 person minimum, x14 person maximum.
- $210 flat rate for any group of less than x6 guests.
~1.5-2 hrs.
Customizable tour topic focus.
Requires x2 weeks advance notice.
E-mail Tours[at]ShaneCandies[dot]com to schedule.

If you'd like to schedule a private tour for yourself or your group, or would like to combine a tour with a tasting, please contact tours@shanecandies.com.

FAQ: Tours, Tastings, & Workshop

Is this event child-friendly?

This is always a tricky question for us, since every person's maturity level is different. We typically recommend ages 10+ for all of our programs, but we leave the discretion to the visitor and the young people accompanying. We create our programs with adults in mind, but we have a small following of people ages 8-13 that are repeat attendees.

Generally though, we've found that people ages 10 and up are most suited to enjoy it due to the style and length of programing, which focuses strongly on historical subject matter for about 1 hr.

Additionally, all of our events traverse through, or take place in, an industrial kitchen with heavy machinery. Workshops often require some dexterity and the ability to sit comfortably at a table for an hour or more (which is a little taller than waist height for an average adult when sitting).

That said, if someone is genuinely interested, we'd love to host them at whatever age!

Can I share a ticket with my child/friend/neighbor/etc. (one of us won't eat/won't participate, etc.)?

No. We request 1 ticket per 1 person attending, regardless of age, size, or interests of the person accompanying you. Because we occupy a narrow, 19th century building, our events are small scale and very intimate. We would like everyone attending to have the space and opportunity to fully participate.

What is your ticket refund policy?

Event tickets are refundable up to 72 hours in advance of the program. E-mail tours@shanecandies.com to request a refund before that time, or to transfer your tickets to a friend or family member.

I didn't receive my ticket!

No worries! Tickets purchased online and in the shop are processed as "Will Call." After your purchase, we have recorded your name on a guest list and no physical tickets are required. Simply sign in with a shop clerk when you arrive for the event. If you purchased tickets online, you should receive an e-mailed confirmation. Contact tours@shanecandies.com if you have not received your e-mailed receipt.

I use a stroller/wheelchair/walker, is your shop accessible?

Please don't hesitate to visit Shane Confectionery if you use a stroller, walker, or wheelchair. We have a ramp leading into our 1st fl. shop and Chocolate Café from the sidewalk. The door swings into the shop from outside.

Generally, our regular tours and tastings traverse all three stories of our 19th century confectionery, which necessitates climbing a narrow and steep staircase. However, if you'd like to set up a tour or tasting which does not require stair climbing, please contact tours@shanecandies.com.

Our kitchen workshops occur in the 2nd fl. kitchen of our confectionery, which necessitates climbing one flight of stairs.

Historic Tours

Events and Workshops

Chocolate Tastings

Party Favors