Honor that special someone on their milestone birthday with an amazing party! Get the best ideas and themes for a 50th Birthday party for adults! We outline the best activities, decor, drinks, & food for a special night!
After all- turning 50 is a big reason to celebrate! That means you’re going to need some amazing 50th birthday party ideas to inspire your own event.
Whether you’re looking for fun themes, entertaining activities, or spectacular decorating ideas, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your birthday celebration on this list.
Depending on the guest list, one these 50th birthday party celebration ideas may work better than others! No matter what theme you pick, we hope the birthday girl or boy has a great time!
50th Birthday Party Themes
Before you can start planning your 50th birthday party, you’re going to need to pick a theme!
Luckily, there are some great party themes to choose from when it comes to turning the big 5-0, and picking a theme is a great way to make the night memorable!
Whether you’re looking for funny party ideas or classic birthday plans, one of these party themes is sure to be a hit.
1. Cheers and Beers to 50 Years
Toast to the birthday person with a cocktail party theme.
2. 50s Decade Party
Use the 1950s as your birthday theme with a sock hop party! Make sure to include a dress code of poodle skirts and leather jackets on the invitation!
3. Rock and Roll
Set up a stage for some live music and celebrate your birthday with your favorite rock covers.
4. Timeline Celebration
Celebrate all the good that has happened in your life with a timeline party showing off all your accomplishments and achievements. It’s a great way to go down memory lane with your closest friends!
5. Sweet 5-0
Relive your sweet 16 with a Sweet 50 party! Here are a few 16th Birthday Party Ideas!
6. Red Carpet Event
Make the birthday person feel like a celebrity by giving them the red carpet treatment at their celebration.
7. Wine and Dine
Enjoy wine tasting and snacks with a wine and dine party!
8. Golden Years
Bring the bling to your celebration by focusing on this golden milestone! Choose a gold and white color scheme and choose music from the decade of their birthday boy or girl!
9. Dinner Party
Celebrate with delicious food and drinks over a classic dinner party at home or at your favorite restaurant. Need ideas? Grab our Easy Couples Dinner Party ideas, Recipes & Games!
10. 50th Birthday Roast
Invite your friends to roast you on your birthday for a night full of laughs.
11. Black Tie Gala
Turn your birthday into a formal party with a black-tie affair.
12. Casino Night
Bring the fun of Las Vegas to your party with a casino night theme.
13. Disco Dance Party
Enjoy a night of dancing to your favorite disco music with this fun theme.
14. 90s Night
Relive your glory days with a 90s-themed birthday party or just go completely retro and pick any decade!
15. Fifty and Fabulous
You’ll never stop being fabulous, no matter your age, so use that as your party inspiration.
16. My Favorite Things
A favorite things theme is a fun way to honor the guest of honor! With this theme, you’ll want to have his or her favorite foods, drinks, and music!
17. Racing into 50
Give your party a racing theme with checkered flags, classic cars, and race car inspired decor.
18. Crafts & Cocktails
Get creative on your birthday by making crafts with your friends while enjoying cocktails.
19. Still a Hot Tamale
Focus on spicy dishes and colors and have a photo-booth to celebrate still being young and hot!
20. Brew Bash
Love beer? Have close friends over for a beer tasting and a few favorite dishes!
21. Kick the Bucket List
Turning 50 is a significant milestone, we’re all about celebrating the next 50 years! Go bigger and better with some adventure with this fun party theme! Rent a hot air balloon, get temporary tattoos, or rent a fast car to celebrate!
22. A Night at Great Gatsby’s
Another fun 50th birthday celebration is to host a big bash with glitz and glam! Channel your inner Gatsby with a 1920’s dress code for guests and pop the bubbly!
23. Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is a great idea for a big 50th birthday bash! Choose green, gold, and purple decorations, have beads as party favors, and get ready to have so much fun!
50th Birthday Movie Night
Set up an outdoor movie night and show a movie marathon of your favorite films while enjoying some snacks outside.
More Themes for 50th Birthday Party for Adults
Once you have your theme picked out, it’s time to start planning! Use these fun 50th birthday party ideas to ensure your big day is a memorable one.
24. The Great Outdoors
A camping trip with close friends can be the perfect 50th birthday celebration for someone who loves the outdoors!
25. Take a Sunset Cruise
Set sail at sunset with your best friends and have a wine tasting or cocktail hour on the boat.
26. Go to a Jazz Club
A jazz club is a fun way to celebrate and do something out of the ordinary for a music fan!
27. Host a Scavenger Hunt
Get your guests up and moving at your party by putting together a 50th birthday party scavenger hunt.
28. Throwback Decorations
Use your past as inspiration for the party by decorating your party in the style of your favorite decade or even the decade you were born.
29. Don’t Forget the Photos
After living 50 years, you’re sure to have plenty of amazing photos to share! Display your favorite moments in photos throughout your party.
30. Make it a Surprise Party!
Are you planning a 50th birthday party for someone special? Keep the celebration a secret and surprise them on the big day.
31. Serve a custom cocktail
Create a drink inspired by the birthday person to serve at the party.
32. Book a Spa Retreat
There’s no need for big party when you can enjoy time with your friends relaxing at a spa on your special day.
33. Enjoy Some Time Outdoors
If you’re a nature lover, bring the party outdoors with a night around a bonfire or take a long hike together.
34. Host a Birthday Brunch
Enjoy some breakfast food and mimosas to celebrate your big day.
35. Rent a House for the Party
Book an Air BNB for your birthday celebration to get away and have some fun in a new location.
36. Share Some Memories
Let your friends share their favorite memories of you during your party by creating a guestbook for everyone to write in.
37. Host a Backyard BBQ
Enjoy a casual night with friends and family members by hosting a backyard BBQ birthday party.
38. Set up a Photo Booth
Make sure everyone at the party has a place to snap some photos by setting up a photo area complete with funny props.
39. Have a Karaoke Party
There’s no need to book live entertainment for your party when your friends can sing and dance for free. Set up a karaoke station with great music at your event to keep your party guests entertained all night. Make sure to have a dance floor ready, too!
40. Learn Something New
Use your birthday party as an excuse to learn something new. Invite a bartender to teach your guests how to make a new cocktail or ask a chef to instruct you on a new recipe for your birthday celebration.
41. Have a Fundraiser to Benefit Your Favorite Cause
If the last thing you need is more gifts cluttering up your home, why not use your birthday as a way to raise money for your favorite charity? Instead of asking for gifts from your loved ones, invite them to donate to your favorite cause for your birthday.
We hope you love these ideas and themes for 50th birthday party for adults! The main thing is to spend time together!
Need help planning your party?
Our Party Planner is perfect tool to help you plan an amazing 50th birthday party! You can grab 20% off the printable party planner or the digital event planner that works with Google Sheets with the code BLOG.
We designed it to help you think of every detail, save time and money, and host a truly great party!
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