15 Summer Candles That Will Remind You of Vacation (Even if You Can’t Travel Anywhere This Year)

1. Otherland Matchpoint Candle

If summer brings to mind fun afternoons playing sports, this is the candle for you. Created by one of our favorite candle brands, Otherland’s Matchpoint candle smells like “tennis balls, cut grass, and cucumber water”—aka, the perfect activity-filled day. This is a limited edition scent, and there are only limited quantities left, so grab it while you can!

Buy: Matchpoint Candle, $36 from Otherland

2. Bright Endeavors Sugared Grapefruit Candle

All the candles sold by Bright Endeavors are made by young moms as part of the company’s job training program, and 100 percent of the proceeds from every sale go to supporting this mission. I’m particularly a fan of the Sugared Grapefruit scent, which I heartily recommend as a budget-friendly alternative to Anthropologie’s famous Volcano candle—it’s that good!

Buy: Sugared Grapefruit Candle, starts at $8 from Bright Endeavors

3. Gilded Pink Onyx Marble Candle (Orange Blossom Scent)

Gilded does candles a little differently. Instead of buying a new candle every time, you purchase a marble vessel that can then be refilled whenever you need a new scent. This results in a whole lot less waste—and the vessels themselves are beautiful enough to count as decor. There are 10 scents total, but if you want something summery, I recommend Orange Blossom.

Buy: Pink Onyx Marble Candle (Orange Blossom Scent), $68 from Gilded

4. Outdoor Fellow Pepper + Orange Candle

I love this candle so much that I wrote a whole love letter about it. Combining black pepper, sandalwood, and orange, Outdoor Fellow’s Pepper + Orange candle is a perfect mix of spicy and savory. Unlike other candles that have a calming, unwinding effect, this one is actually quite invigorating, and is a great choice for hot summer days when you want to amp up the energy. Sadly, it’s currently sold out, but you can put your name on the waitlist and get notified when it’s back.

Buy: Pepper + Orange Candle, $36 from Outdoor Fellow

5. P.F. Candle Co. Golden Coast Candle

If you love the West Coast, you need this candle from P.F. Candle Co. Inspired by “Big Sur magic, wild sage baking in the sun, and the rumble of waves and rocks”, the Golden Coast candle combines eucalyptus, sea salt, redwood, and palo santo for a totally California-inspired scent. Other good options include Swell, Los Angeles, and Sweet Grapefruit.

Buy: Golden Coast Candle, $20 from P.F. Candle Co.

6. Paddywax Lolli – Pink Opal + Watermint Candle

Paddywax’s new Lolli collection features candles in opaque, brightly-colored vessels that give off an ombre glow when lit. The Pink Opal + Watermint candle might be the most fun and summer-esque, with a bright pink jar and notes of jasmine, lemon, orange blossom, and rose petals. If you prefer something more citrusy, check out the Violet Vanilla + Coconut candle.

Buy: Lolli – Pink Opal + Watermint Candle, $22 from Paddywax

7. Treatment Co. Honeysuckle Jasmine Candle

If you prefer something more floral, check out this Honeysuckle Jasmine candle found on Etsy. It comes from Treatment Co., a California-based shop that creates small-batch candles and incense, including other summery scents like Grapefruit Mint and Pineapple Sage.

Buy: Treatment Co. Honeysuckle Jasmine Candle, $20 $18 from Etsy

8. Voluspa Goji Tarocco Orange Candle

If you’ve ever shopped at Nordstrom or Anthropologie, you’re probably already familiar with Voluspa candles. My personal favorite Voluspa scent also happens to be perfect for summer: Goji Tarocco Orange, which has notes of goji berry, ripe mango, and Tarocco orange. Plus, the gorgeous vessel is made for reusing.

Buy: Voluspa Goji Tarocco Orange Candle, $30 from Nordstrom

9. Harlem Candle Co. Savoy Candle

Harlem Candle Co.’s Savoy scent is described as the “essence of tropical enchantment”, so yes, sign me up. It’s inspired by the Savoy Ballroom, which was the go-to spot for music and dancing in Harlem during the Jazz Age. Scent notes include cassis, mandarin, pear, apple, jasmine, and sandalwood, a downright sexy blend that’s made for summer nights.

Buy: Savoy Candle, $45 from Harlem Candle Co.

10. Homesick Backyard BBQ Candle

Summer might look a little different this year, meaning it’s a great time to stock up on Homesick’s summer-inspired scents. While American Summer and Beach Cottage are currently sold out, you can still buy Backyard BBQ, which smells like “late afternoons by the pool and even later evenings by the fire pit.” Plus, right now you can save 15% off sitewide with code BESTDAD.

Buy: Backyard BBQ Candle, $29.95 $25.45 from Homesick

11. Apotheke x She Hit Pause Candy Store Candle

Part of Apotheke’s collaboration with photography studio She Hit Pause, Candy Store comes in a very cool iridescent glass vessel and contains notes of coconut, vanilla, patchouli, and amber. There are also two other scents in the collection: Swimming in Rectangles (ocean cedar, citrus, geranium, and musk), and From a Rooftop in August (which has already sold out).

Buy: Apotheke x She Hit Pause Candy Store Candle, $38 from Apotheke

12. Diptyque Baies Candle

When you think of Diptyque, you probably think of Baies. The luxury French fragrance brand’s iconic scent is just right for summer, combining notes of blackcurrant and rose petals. Another great Diptyque option? Mimosa, which also happens to be the favorite of Lifestyle Director Taryn Williford.

Buy: Diptyque Baies Candle, starts at $36 from Nordstrom

13. DW Home Jungle Guava Candle

With its bright pink vessel and energizing scent, the Jungle Guava candle basically screams summer. The scent is a combination of guava, candied passionfruit, and red currant, with notes of tropical kiwi, pineapple, and musk, resulting in a tropical infusion that will remind you of sunny days all year long.

Buy: Jungle Guava Candle, starts at $10.20 from DW Home

14. Anecdote Candles Rooftop Soirée Candle

While you probably won’t be attending many (or any) rooftop events this summer, Rooftop Soirée from Anecdote is a social distancing-friendly alternative. “Fresh and flirtatious,” it’ll give you those summer party vibes right in your living room. It combines notes of red apple, jasmine, peony, and rose over a suede base, resulting in a seductive, yet elegant scent.

Buy: Rooftop Soirée Candle, $24 from Anecdote Candles

15. Pozē Candle Co. Tahitian Coconut Candle

Unable to take a vacation this year? Bring those tropical vibes to your home with the Tahitian Coconut candle from Pozē Candle Co. It’s made of a soothing yet lively blend of coconut, lime blossom, pineapple, and driftwood, and has a wood wick that creates a nice crackling sound—perfect for relaxing summer evenings.

Buy: Tahitian Coconut Candle, $24 from Pozē Candle Co.