Your 30th birthday party is not only to celebrate the end of your twenties, it is also the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Here are 15 memorable 30th birthday party ideas, fit for every budget and lifestyle!
If you want to keep it low key and make a lot of bang for your buck or if you want to go all out, the 30th Birthday party ideas can help you throw a unique and memorable start to your “dirty thirties”.
In an interview with Elle Magazine, Mark Ahmed – the Director of the UK’s leading event company, Scarlet Events – said that your thirties is a significant milestone, and milestones only happen every few years.
Why is the 30th birthday special?
While you may have splurged to celebrate your Sweet 16th, 18th, and 21st, celebrating your 30th is a total game-changer because most people tend to become more mature when they reach the age of this. This is when they choose something sophisticated rather than extravagant – elegance and poise are key!
And while it may be tempting to spend all day thinking about what life will bring in the next decade, celebrating it with loved ones is sure to lift your spirits.
Turning 30 is a little scary when you’re in your late twenties, but surprisingly wonderful and liberating once you get there. Embrace this new journey with open arms! After all, we only turn 30 once in our lives so read on for our top 30th birthday ideas.
30th Birthday Party Ideas
Plan a fun vacation
Gather a group of your closest friends, and reserve a unique rental! Whether it’s a beach house or a wooded cottage, unleash your inner passion on a fun-filled vacation or road trip!
’90s throwback party
Being sentimental about your past is a natural part of being 30. So keep your choker necklaces, butterfly hair clips, and jelly sandals in the clutch because it’s time to throw the ultimate ’90s throwback party!
Roaring 30s party
Say goodbye to your roaring twenties with a Great Gatsby-inspired birthday bash. Put on your best look, and dance into the new decade in style. It’s all about glitz and glamour!
Black and White affair
Dress to the nines with an elegant black and white party. This sleek and sophisticated motif calls for everything black and white – from the invitations and dress code, to the decorations.
Haute Couture Party
Have you ever wanted to wear runway clothes, but just couldn’t find the right occasion? If that’s the case, now’s your chance! Throw an extraordinary haute couture party to make your 30th birthday unforgettable. Distinguished by a playful yet polished dress code, this theme encourages guests to embrace creativity and explore their fashion boundaries.
Casino Night
With a casino-themed party, you can recreate Las Vegas or Monte Carlo on your own terms! Cocktails, casino games, and a casino-inspired color palette like red, black, and white characterize this theme.
Karaoke night
Sing your heart out with a night of karaoke! Whether you choose to do it at home or in a pub, accompanying it with dinner, drinks, and dancing will make it unforgettable. Blast your favorite nostalgic songs to relive – and say goodbye to all the highs and lows of your twenties!
“Kiss” your twenties goodbye party
This fun way to say goodbye to your twenties is a fun way to welcome your thirties!
You only need food and lip-shaped decorations for this theme. Opt for pink and red pastries like cakes and cookies with “kisses” all over, and add a touch of gold here and there to glam up the place.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s party
Skip the hassle of planning a full-course menu, and opt for easy-to-serve breakfast foods like pastries, tea, and coffee with a Tiffany-themed breakfast party.
The color “Tiffany Blue” embodies this timeless and sophisticated theme. Welcome your guests to a room filled with flowers, pearls, and silver jewelry, and encourage them to go in their best Audrey Hepburn-inspired looks!
Spa weekend
While this can be beneficial if you’ve started a career and/or a family in your thirties, there are days when you just want to slow down, rest, and relax. Pamper yourself by booking a spa trip! Whether it’s a high-end escape or a simpler retreat, the point is to step back and breathe. You deserve it!
You can relax in the hot tub, get a massage or hot rock treatment, enjoy a facial, or do yoga and meditation. Most of these places provide a diverse selection of options to help you relax and unwind.
Travel abroad
Domestic or international, the adventure is entirely up to you. Treat yourself to the vacation of your dreams!
Traveling is beneficial because it broadens our horizons and teaches us the importance of discovering new things instead of just staying in our comfort zone all the time.
A night of mystery
Turn your night into a thrilling game of whodunit with a murder mystery party! There are many free scripts available online as well as mobile apps that can help you enjoy the sleuthing experience to the fullest. You’re sure to make some great memories in honor of the “death” of your twenties.
Low Key 30th Birthday Party Ideas
Pizza and game night
Arrange a pizza and game night if you prefer something low-key and chill! You can only order from your favorite restaurant. Or for a fun twist, shop for ingredients and make it at home with your personal touch!
Provide a variety of exciting games. From console games like Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and Wii to classic retro board games like Twister, Monopoly, and Chutes and Ladders. There is sure to be something for everyone.
Wine tasting party
Thirty marks the beginning of true adulthood with all its attendant complications. Why not celebrate it with something equally refined like wine with a side of hors d’oeuvres? The wine only gets better with time, and so do you!
Take a mixology class
From tequila shots and rum-cokes to a whole new range of sexy cocktails, level up your drinking game by taking a real-deal mixology class with your besties!
Practice the art of making the perfect drink under the supervision of a friendly mixologist. And learn a lifelong skill that can only be improved over time.
How do I celebrate my 30th birthday at home?
There is no right or wrong way to celebrate a 30th birthday. If a night out is more your cup of tea then go for it! Invite some friends over for a dinner or a backyard BBQ. Or plan a movie night with some close friends. Or say goodbye to your 20s by sitting around the fire with a good glass of wine.
Final Note of 30th Birthday Ideas
If your 30th birthday is coming up, we hope these fun 30th birthday ideas will help you plan an amazing 30th birthday celebration. Remember, you only get to turn 30, so make the most of it!
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About the Author
Jane Sheriff is the founder, creative director, party planner and mother of three. She started Darling Celebrations in 2012 to share easy and beautiful ideas for celebrating life’s special events.
