Us humans have celebrated our birthdays for a very long time! In fact, the first instances of birthday celebrations can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt, where huge, lavish parties were held to mark the birthdays of pharaohs. Before the 19th century, birthday celebrations were usually reserved for powerful rulers or members of the upper class, but nowadays, of course, anyone can enjoy celebrating turning another year older.
However, not all birthdays are technically created equal! Milestone birthdays, or landmark birthdays, are the years that are considered to be significant turning points in people’s lives, and are often celebrated with more fanfare than other ones. The most commonly celebrated milestone birthdays are ‘Sweet 16s’ and 21sts, but many people also consider 30ths, 40ths, 50ths, 60ths, 70ths, and 80ths to be important landmark birthday events as well!
In today’s post, we’d like to share our best ideas for celebrating 10 different milestone birthdays, complete with customizable product recommendations for each activity or event. Read on to discover how to throw the perfect milestone birthday for a loved one, or to get some inspiration for your own upcoming landmark birthday.
16th Birthday
Retro Roller Skating Party
Treat your teen and their best friends to a marvelous birthday party in your local roller rink or roller disco, and watch them skate the night away. Bonus tip: have the attendees dress up in their best retro outfits to create a quirky, nostalgic vibe, and make sure to snap some pictures!
Slumber Party/Sleepover
A slumber party is a great idea if you’re looking for a more laid-back way to celebrate a 16th birthday. Have your guests pick out a movie and create a cozy, relaxing atmosphere with plenty of soft blankets and pillows. Be sure to provide them with some mouth-watering snacks, too!
Bowling
Let your teen and their friends challenge themselves to an awesome game of bowling! Usually, most bowling alleys will serve food, which takes some of the party preparation off your plate.
17th Birthday
Formal-Style Mocktail Party
Throw a fancy mocktail affair for your seventeen-year old, and give them a night they’ll never forget! Encourage guests to dress in their fanciest formal attire, and unleash your inner mixologist by whipping up some impressive mocktails.
Pool Party
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a pool, hosting a fabulous pool party is the perfect way to celebrate! Decide on some amusing pool-side games beforehand, like a water gun fight, a diving contest, or volleyball to keep your guests entertained.
Escape Room
Allow your teen and their friends to show off their problem-solving skills by taking them to an escape room. This interesting birthday party idea is educational, but still incredibly fun!
18th Birthday
Murder Mystery Party
Organize a thrilling murder mystery party and watch your guests’ faces light up! Hire a specialized event company to carry out the murder mystery, or simply design or download one yourself for an exciting and memorable celebration.
Spa Day
Give the gift of total serenity by planning a spa day birthday party. Whether you visit a local spa or carry out the pampering session at home, we know the party attendees will leave feeling completely refreshed and rejuvenated.
Glamping Party
If you think your guests will appreciate some time in the great outdoors, host a glamping birthday party! Book some spots in a glamping campground for your guests, or have the party in your backyard. Pass the s’mores!
21st Birthday
Masquerade Ball
Nothing says class and glamor quite like a masquerade ball. Go for this chic idea to celebrate the monumental occasion of turning 21 in style.
Mixology Class
Become a bartender for the day by organizing a cool mixology lesson for your party! With this creative birthday party idea, you get to learn useful skills while also enjoying some tasty beverages.
Party Boat
Throw a birthday party on a boat, and mark the occasion by cruising blissfully into the sunset. Bonus tip: prepare some boat-friendly snacks beforehand, and opt for glass-free drink cups to keep things as safe as possible.
30th Birthday
Karaoke Party
If you think your guests would love to sing their heart out to their favorite tunes, a karaoke party might be the ideal choice. You could even set a dress theme or type of music for the karaoke night; for example, an old school rock n’ roll night, a pop princesses night, or a punk night!
Costume Party
Everybody loves a good ol’ costume party! Invite your guests to a vibrant event where you’ll all don your most impressive or hilarious costumes.
Brunch
Brunch is a clever way to gather together with friends and family of all ages while devouring some scrumptious food! Book a table in your favorite brunch spot, or try your hand at making some brunch dishes of your own and host the party at your place.
40th Birthday
Road trip in an RV or a Van
Why not have your party on wheels and hit the open road? Invite your guests on a fun-filled adventure they’ll never forget!
Wine Tasting
Heading to a wine tasting makes for a charming and sophisticated affair, perfect for those who adore exploring new varieties of vin.
Dinner Party
Host a dinner party and tantalize your guest’s taste buds with a multitude of courses! Dinner parties provide an easy and comfortable way to catch up with loved ones.
50th Birthday
Sip and Paint
Implore your party guests to unleash their inner artist by opting for a paint and sip experience. No matter what their skill level may be, we think everybody will enjoy expressing their creative side!
Game Night
A game night is possibly one of the most fun birthday party ideas! Whether you’re partial to board games, card games, or video games, you and your guests will have a total blast.
Black Tie Cocktail Party
If you’d like to celebrate this important milestone birthday in a classy and formal way, a black-tie cocktail event is definitely the one for you.
60th Birthday
BBQ Party and Potluck
A hearty BBQ outdoors is always an awesome plan for a party! Better yet: make your BBQ a potluck, and get ready to pile your plate high with a host of yummy dishes.
Group Yoga or Wellness Retreat
If you’re looking for some peace and quiet this year rather than an all-out late night bash, why not sign up for a group yoga class or wellness retreat? Inner peace awaits.
Golf Outing
For both professional and beginner golfers, this birthday party idea is the best by par! It’s also a great way to give the little ones in your family a taste for the sport.
70th Birthday
Tea Party
Did someone say afternoon tea? Offer your guests a lovely spread of cakes, sandwiches, and warming teas served in dainty china for a lovely celebration.
A Night at the Opera or Theater
Watching a lively musical show or visiting the opera with loved ones is a wonderful way to mark a milestone birthday.
A Group Vacation
If you’re craving a change of scenery, taking a vacation with loved ones to a brand-new place is an excellent choice!
80th Birthday
Picnic in the Park
If the weather allows for it, hosting a picnic party in a park is an absolutely stunning way to celebrate! Lay down your best blankets, and prepare some classic picnic foods to ensure an unforgettable day out.
Decade-themed Party
Take your guests on a trip through the decades with you by choosing this fantastically creative party idea!
A Meal in A Favorite Restaurant
With this easy-to-plan party idea, guests can all meet up in a local restaurant and treat themselves to a delectable meal in celebration of this special milestone.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this guide, we hope you’ve gotten some nice party ideas for any upcoming milestone birthdays. We truly hope that the party you throw is a memorable and special day for all who are involved. If you’ve got any more milestone birthday party suggestions, please feel free to share them in the comments underneath this article!
Ella is a content specialist from Cork, Ireland. Her passions include spending time with her two energetic dogs, fashion, photography, and trying new vegan food!
