10 Fun Adult Birthday Party Ideas to Celebrate Any Age

Birthdays only come around once a year, and milestone birthdays take even longer, so make it count! We know not everyone wants to shout about their birthdays from the rooftops, but whether it’s a 21st birthday celebration, 30th birthday, 40th birthday, half-century celebration, 80th birthday or anywhere in between, there’s bound to be a birthday get-together that will delight the guest of honor. 

To help you zero in on themed party ideas that best match the birthday milestone — and the birthday girl’s or boy’s interests and personality — we’ve compiled an array of adult birthday party ideas to make the special day one to remember. 

10 Adult Birthday Party Ideas for All Ages

From busting a move with gal pals during late night karaoke to a low-key backyard BBQ, there are plenty of party options and vibes to consider for an adult birthday party. In fact, you could even mix some of these adult birthday party ideas together to make one epic birthday bash with loved ones.

We’ve also included coordinating digital invitations that match each party theme.

1. Dinner or Cocktail Party 

Design: Claudia Owen | Contemporary Chic Invitation

A dinner party can be a very formal, buttoned up affair or a chill, backyard BBQ. If the guest of honor would prefer something fancier that gives them a reason to dress up, book a reservation at a local Japanese Steakhouse or Italian eatery and splurge on a four-course meal. Or arrange for a fancy brunch with a beautiful ambiance and bottomless mimosas.

If there’s a large guest list, consider renting out an event room and seeing if the restaurant can set up a buffet or serve family style. Otherwise, a BBQ in a friend’s backyard or laidback cocktail party with appetizers at home is an equally nice way to celebrate. Add in some trivia about the birthday girl or boy — or something that piques their interest — to help get the conversation flowing. 

2. Game Night 

Design: Claudia Owen | Gambling Glamour Invitation

There is no shortage of ways to throw a fun party if the guest of honor is a board or card game enthusiast. Host an all-day game-a-thon, or pair dinner with a few evening games. 

For big crowds, we recommend card games like What Do You Meme?, Apples to Apples, and Uno. Code Names, The Chameleon Game, Cranium, Pictionary, and charades are also great.

For smaller groups, break out the cards for Euchre, play Ticket to Ride, Farkle, Azul, or even a drinking game. The options are endless! 

If you would rather host it outside of the house, see if there is a board game cafe nearby you could reserve some time at.

3. Mystery Gathering

Design: Jen Montgomery | Killer Party Invitation

Take the competitive, gaming spirit to the next level by playing out a real life Clue game. Invite a close knit group to an escape room or murder mystery party. These themed parties are a fun way to celebrate for trivia gurus and those who love cracking codes. 

To make the friendly competition even more fun, have a prize for the person who solves the murder mystery — or a group prize if you all solve the escape room before the time runs out. Similarly, consider an award for the best dressed if the party involves a costume element.

There are also murder mystery kits and virtual party options if you’re far from a venue that hosts escape rooms and murder mystery dinners.

4. Wine Tasting

Design: Laura Bolter Design | Better With Wine Invitation

Sometimes there’s nothing better than trying something new, and taste testing new wines might do the trick. Find one to three wineries that offer up the types of reds or whites that the guest of honor prefers, invite a small group of friends and family to join, and enjoy a day of indulging and good company. 

If there aren’t any good wine tasting venues near you, buy a variety of different wines at a local shop and make your own DIY wine tasting station at the house. Alternatively, ask each guest to bring a bottle of wine for the group to try. Purchase some crackers, cheese, and chocolates to pair with the wine, and make it a festive affair. 

5. Brewery Hopping

Design: Signature Greenvelope | Bar Crawl Invitation

Wine isn’t for everyone. If beer is more their style, gathering the crew for brewery hopping could be a better fit — and even more perfect if they’re celebrating their 21st birthday! 

Scope out the menus at local craft breweries or pubs, and see who carries the most IPAs, stouts, lagers, or whatever they prefer. As a bonus birthday gift and keepsake from the birthday celebration, get a growler filled with the celebrant’s favorite brew to take home.

Like wine tasting, this could also be a DIY activity. Some liquor stores offer build-your-own six packs so customers can try a variety. Instead of cheese and chocolates, load up on fried snacks, soft pretzels, and chips and dip. 

6. Cooking Class 

Design: Mint Parcel | Cooking Essentials Invitation

Is the Food Network a staple in the guest of honor’s house? Or are they always on the hunt for new recipes to try? Mix it up by gathering a close group of friends and loved ones to celebrate the special occasion with a cooking class. 

Just remember, not all cooking classes have the same make up, so choose one that aligns with their palette and, as an added bonus, gives you a chance to sit down at the get-together and enjoy your creation afterward.

If cooking isn’t their style, but they like concocting cocktails, see if there are local mixology classes you could take together. Cheers!

7. Karaoke Night 

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationary | Record Player Invitation

Looking instead for a high-energy adult birthday party idea? Consider a karaoke night! Odds are there is a bar in your area that hosts them. Find out when they’re scheduled in the coming weeks or months, and plan the birthday party around that. Encourage attendees to dress up, prep their vocals, and be ready to hit the dance floor.

Hosting it at your house, or another guest’s, is also an option if there are no karaoke nights available at nearby venues. Plus, that way your crew is entirely in charge of the playlist! 

8. Spa Day

Design: Jen Montgomery | Manis & Mimosas Invitation

High-energy birthdays aren’t for everyone. If a day of relaxation and recharging is more their style, book a spa day. Give the guest of honor options for what they would prefer:  massages, facials, manis, pedis, or something else. Or, surprise them and go with your gut. 

When debating which venue is the right fit, consider the amenities they offer. Is there a relaxation room for before and after the services, a sauna, or a pool? Or do they only offer the services? While amenities are important, keeping your budget in mind is also key.

9. Video Games

Design: Signature Greenvelope | Game On Invitation

Video game parties aren’t just for kids. Many adults like video games too — and most have bigger budgets for better systems and games! For the gaming enthusiast in your life, consider renting out a local arcade or hosting their birthday celebration at a bar or restaurant that has plenty of arcade and pinball machines to play. 

Or, if they have a specific game that they would rather be playing at home, set up some gaming chairs in the living room and invite their closest friends to join in the shenanigans. 

10. Sport Outing

Design: Holly Whitcomb | Handpainted Pickleballs Invitation

A popular adult birthday party idea is hosting a sports-related outing. The best thing about sports is it can entail a wide range of activities. For example, celebrate with:

• A pool party
• Bowling
• Axe throwing
• Top Golf
• Pickleball

Check out local venues and see which one would be a slam dunk with the honoree and best fit the budget you have to work with. 

Alternatively, buying tickets to a Major League Baseball game, college football game, or another professional sporting event at a stadium in your area could also be a home run. 

Until the Next Birthday!

Now that you have 10 adult birthday party ideas, it’s time to commence the party planning for the special day. Regardless of which theme you decide to run with, make sure to coordinate the party decorations, playlist, food, and invitations to match and enhance the festivities.

Check out our collection of birthday party invitations to find one you love. Each one is customizable, so you can personalize the text, colors, font options, and more.