Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar & Chocolate Gifts Workshop

About this experience

Join us at our Chocolate Factory in South Shields this festive season for a magical evening workshop where you’ll make your very own chocolate Advent calendar. This two-hour class is open to all ages and is the perfect way to enjoy some festive creativity together.

Your evening begins with a warming Belgian hot chocolate on arrival, setting the scene for a cosy, indulgent evening. With our guidance, you’ll craft a stunning 24 day chocolate advent calendar, a Christmas Tree chocolate slab and a selection of festive chocolate discs (mendiants) ready to enjoy in the countdown to Christmas.

Everything is made from scratch using our house Belgian chocolate and the finest ingredients, with plenty of opportunity to add your own flavours and decorations. Once complete, your Advent calendar and chocolates will be beautifully packaged to take home — either to enjoy yourself or to gift to someone special.

This evening workshop is a wonderful introduction to festive chocolate making, blending expert guidance, delicious treats, and plenty of Christmas spirit into an experience you’ll never forget.

Here’s what makes this experience truly special:

• Individual chocolate-making experience – unlike many other workshops, you’ll work solo on your own creations, not in pairs or groups.

• Made entirely from scratch – using high-quality ingredients from start to finish.

• Immersive and behind-the-scenes – explore the real art of chocolate making in a working chocolate studio.

• Luxurious hot chocolate on arrival – made with an authentic Belgian recipe from Bruges.

• Craft three stunning products:

  • A delicous Advent Calendar with 24 chocolates

  • A decadent chocolate christmas tree slab

  • Elegant French-style mendiants

• Fully customisable – choose your own flavours and inclusions to suit your taste.

• Beautifully packaged to gift or enjoy at home – complete with ribbons and care.

• Expert guidance and relaxed atmosphere – suitable for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

• Learn professional skills – chocolate tasting, tempering, and techniques.

• Take-home recipes and workshop notes – continue your chocolate journey after the workshop.

Important Information

By booking a workshop with The Canny Chocolate Company, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

Booking and Cancellations
Once your workshop is booked, it is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled under normal circumstances. If you're unsure of your date, we recommend purchasing a gift voucher to use later.
In exceptional cases, rescheduling may be possible at our discretion — please contact us as early as possible.
Workshops require a minimum number of participants. If this number isn't met, we’ll get in touch to offer an alternative date.

Practical Conditions
Our chocolate workshops are hands-on and interactive, with each participant working individually under our guidance. We keep class sizes small (up to 8 people) for a relaxed, personalised experience.
Workshops involve standing for the full duration, and seating is not available in the kitchen.
If you have any access needs, please contact us before booking so we can discuss how best to support your experience.

Allergies and Dietary Requirements
Please let us know about any allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical needs in your group. While we do our best to accommodate, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. Our kitchen handles: milk, peanuts, nuts (including pecans, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, and brazil nuts), gluten (wheat and barley), soya (including lecithins), sulphites, sesame, eggs, and mustard seeds. By booking, you acknowledge and accept this risk. If you have any concerns, we encourage you to contact us before booking.

Age and Accompaniment

• This class is open to all ages and abilities. Whilst there is no minimum age, children must be able to reach a standard kitchen bench unaided. Steps or stools are not permitted.

• We do not have space for spectators and cannot accommodate babies, toddlers, or pushchairs in the kitchen.

SEND & Access Needs
We welcome participants with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
To help us provide the best and safest experience, you must let us know at the time of booking if anyone in your group has additional needs. We may not be able to accommodate undisclosed needs raised on the day.

Health, Hygiene, and Safety
We maintain high standards of hygiene and safety.
All participants must wear the aprons and hairnets provided, and follow all safety instructions throughout the workshop.
You will be asked to complete a Health Screening Questionnaire before your session. This helps us identify any medical conditions, allergies, or access needs in advance and ensures everyone is well enough to safely take part in a food-handling environment.

Personal Belongings
Please keep personal belongings to a minimum.
Drinks on arrival are provided, but you may bring your own in a bottle with a lid.

Arrival and Workshop Duration
Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your workshop starts.
Workshops typically last around 90–120 minutes but may vary depending on the pace of the class.
We cannot refund or rebook for late arrivals.

Gift Vouchers
If you’d like to gift a chocolate experience but don’t have a date in mind, we recommend purchasing a gift voucher instead.
Please note that all of our public workshops are held on Saturdays only.

For full terms and conditions, please visit our dedicated page.