- Best church wreath: the F.A. Dumont standing brass wreath, 48 in high with four 1 1/2 in sockets and a 3 in center socket.
- Best tabletop wreath: the 18 in Sudbury wrought iron and brass frame for a home table or chapel.
- Best church candles: 51% beeswax tapers, 1 1/2 x 16 in, three violet and one rose.
- Best Christ candle: the Will & Baumer Bright Morning Star, 3 x 12 in, for a 3 in center socket.
- Advent 2026 begins on Sunday, November 29; order candles that match your sockets well before then.
Picking the best Advent wreath and candles comes down to a fit problem that catches parishes every November: the wreath has 1 1/2 in sockets, the candles that arrived are 3 in pillars, and the First Sunday of Advent is three days away. Get the frame, the candle diameter and the colors right together, and the wreath becomes one of the most loved signs of the season.
We compare nine wreath frames and candle sets from our catalog, from a 48 in brass floor stand for a sanctuary to 12 in stearin tapers for a family table. You will also find how the colors work, where a wreath may stand in church, and how to keep four weeks of candles burning evenly.
Our picks
F.A. Dumont Standing Brass Advent Wreath, 48 in High
A floor-standing wreath keeps candles visible to the whole nave without crowding the altar. This polished brass stand is 48 in high with a 21 in ring and a 12 in round base, and holds four 1 1/2 in tapers plus a 3 in center Christ candle. Those are the standard church sizes, so finding the best Advent wreath and candles combination each year is simple. Candles are not included.
- 48 in height, visible from the pews
- Standard 1 1/2 in and 3 in sockets
- Polished brass
- Candles sold separately
- Needs floor space beside the sanctuary
Sudbury Wrought Iron and Brass Advent Wreath, 18 in
For a family dining table, a classroom or a small chapel, this wrought iron and brass frame is 18 in across and just 3 in high, with a 5 1/2 in center base for a Christ candle. A low frame lets you wrap fresh or artificial greenery around it without hiding the candles. Check socket diameters against your candles before ordering.
- Low 3 in profile
- 18 in diameter fits most tables
- Center base for a Christ candle
- Socket sizes not stated
- Greenery not included
Hanging Two-Tone Brass Advent Wreath, 36 x 25 in
Some churches suspend the wreath above the sanctuary or the main aisle, keeping floor space clear for processions. This two-tone brass frame in gold and brown is listed at 36 in high and 25 in wide. Plan the rigging and check that the ceiling mount and candle height suit your fire code before you hang it.
- Keeps the floor clear
- Large 25 in width
- Two-tone gold and brown brass
- Socket sizes not listed
- Requires secure ceiling rigging
51% Beeswax Church Advent Candles, 1 1/2 x 16 in, Set of 4
Many parishes prefer beeswax for liturgical candles, and 51% beeswax is the common church standard. These four tapers, three violet and one rose, are 1 1/2 in across and 16 in tall, the right size for a full church wreath like the Dumont. The height also gives you enough wax to burn through all four weeks.
- 51% beeswax
- 16 in height lasts the season
- Fits standard 1 1/2 in sockets
- Too tall for many home wreaths
Autom Church Advent Tapers, Purple and Rose, 1 1/2 x 16 in
If your parish does not require beeswax, these Autom tapers in purple and rose offer the same 1 1/2 x 16 in church dimensions in plain wax. They are made for wreaths with 1 1/2 in sockets, so they drop straight into most church frames.
- Standard church size
- Purple and rose colors
- Fits 1 1/2 in sockets
- Wax type not specified
- Set count not stated
Concordia Stearin Advent Tapers, 12 x 1 1/2 in, Set of 4
At 12 in tall these stearin tapers, three purple and one rose, look proportionate on a tabletop wreath while keeping the standard 1 1/2 in diameter. Stearin is a palm oil wax that the maker describes as an all-natural alternative to beeswax, with a steady, clean burn for weekly use.
- 12 in height suits tabletops
- Stearin palm wax
- 3 purple, 1 rose
- Shorter candles may not last if lit daily
Elite Holiday Extra-Large Advent Pillar Set, 3 x 17 in
For a wreath with flat plates or wide sockets, or a display in a large church, these four unscented pillars are 3 in across and 17 in tall, three purple and one pink, and shipped individually wrapped in tubes. The maker says they smoke less and drip less. They will not fit 1 1/2 in taper sockets.
- Very large and visible
- Unscented
- Shipped in protective tubes
- Needs 3 in sockets or plates
- Rose candle is a pink shade
Will & Baumer Bright Morning Star Christ Candle, 3 x 12 in
The white Christ candle in the center, lit at Christmas, is a popular custom rather than a liturgical requirement, but it gives the wreath a fitting finish. This Will & Baumer candle is white palm wax, 3 in across and 12 in tall, with the Bright Morning Star liturgical design, a natural fit for a 3 in center socket like the Dumont's.
- 3 in diameter for center sockets
- Bright Morning Star design
- Palm wax
- Check the height against your frame
Emkay Nativity Christ Candle Pillar, 3 x 11 in
For homes and classrooms, a Christ candle with a Nativity scene tells the story to children at a glance. This Emkay white pillar is 3 in across and 11 in tall, slightly shorter than the Will & Baumer, which suits low tabletop frames.
- Nativity design for families
- 3 x 11 in pillar
- Works on low frames
- Wax type not stated
How to choose the best Advent wreath and candles
Start with the frame
- Floor stand: best for a church; visible from the pews and keeps the altar clear.
- Hanging: frees the floor for processions, but needs secure rigging.
- Tabletop: homes, classrooms and chapels; a low frame shows the candles above the greenery.
Then match the candles to the sockets
Measure socket diameter before you order. Church wreaths most often take 1 1/2 in tapers, with a 3 in center socket for the Christ candle. Pillars need plates or wide sockets. Height is about scale and burn time: 16 in tapers look right on a 48 in stand, 12 in tapers on an 18 in table frame.
Choose the wax
Beeswax, often 51% for church candles, is the traditional choice for liturgy. Stearin and palm wax are clean-burning alternatives. Whatever the wax, use a candle follower on tall tapers to reduce dripping and keep the flame steady. Pair the frame and candles from the start and you will have the best Advent wreath and candles for years, not just one season.
The best Advent wreath and candles compared
| Pick | Type | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| F.A. Dumont standing wreath | Brass floor frame | 48 in high, 21 in ring | Church sanctuary |
| Sudbury wrought iron and brass | Tabletop frame | 18 in across, 3 in high | Home or chapel |
| Hanging two-tone brass | Hanging frame | 36 x 25 in | Suspended display |
| 51% beeswax tapers | 4 tapers | 1 1/2 x 16 in | Church wreaths |
| Autom tapers | Wax tapers | 1 1/2 x 16 in | Church wreaths |
| Concordia stearin tapers | 4 tapers | 1 1/2 x 12 in | Home wreaths |
| Elite Holiday pillars | 4 pillars | 3 x 17 in | Wide sockets or plates |
| Will & Baumer Christ candle | White pillar | 3 x 12 in | Center socket |
| Emkay Nativity Christ candle | White pillar | 3 x 11 in | Families |
What do the Advent wreath colors mean?
The four candles mark the four Sundays of Advent. In Catholic practice three are violet, the color of the season, and one is rose, lit on the Third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the Church rejoices that Christmas is near. Some Lutheran and Anglican communities use blue instead of violet.
- First Sunday (November 29, 2026): one violet candle.
- Second Sunday (December 6): two violet candles.
- Third Sunday, Gaudete (December 13): add the rose candle.
- Fourth Sunday (December 20): all four.
- Christmas: many families and parishes add a white Christ candle in the center.
How we chose
We did not burn these candles ourselves. To pick the best Advent wreath and candles for each setting, we compared the makers' stated dimensions, socket sizes, wax types and colors, and built pairings that actually fit together: church frames with 1 1/2 in tapers and a 3 in Christ candle, home frames with 12 in tapers. Where a listing omits socket sizes or wax type, we say so.
Safety tips and mistakes to avoid
- Fresh greenery dries out fast. By week three it is tinder; replace it, or use flame-retardant artificial greenery, especially in church.
- Never leave the wreath lit unattended, at home or in an empty church.
- Burn candles in order and for similar lengths so the first candle is not a stub by Christmas.
- Do not mix diameters. A 1 1/4 in candle wobbles in a 1 1/2 in socket.
- Order early. Advent candles sell out in November.
For more on wax content and sizes, see how to choose church candles.
Questions
What is the best Advent wreath and candles setup for a church?
A floor-standing brass wreath with four 1 1/2 in sockets and a 3 in center socket, paired with 16 in beeswax tapers in violet and rose and a 3 in white Christ candle, is the classic parish setup.
Why is one Advent candle pink?
The rose candle is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, a moment of joy as Christmas draws near. Rose is also a liturgical color worn by the priest that day.
When do you light the Advent wreath in 2026?
Advent 2026 begins on Sunday, November 29. Light one candle that week and add one each Sunday through December 20.
What size candles fit an Advent wreath?
Most church wreaths take 1 1/2 in tapers with a 3 in center candle. Home wreaths vary, so measure your sockets before ordering.
Is the white Christ candle required?
No. It is a popular custom, lit at Christmas, and is not part of the traditional four-candle wreath.
Can I place the Advent wreath on the altar?
No. It is customary to place it near the ambo or sanctuary on a stand or suspended, so it does not crowd the altar. Check with your pastor for your church's practice.
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