Has turning fifty snuck up on you, or have you been watching the big 5-0 loom on the horizon for months? Turning 50 is nothing other than a shift into an exciting new phase of life; not only have you got five whole decades of experience behind you, but you’re very likely now reaching the stage of your life where you don’t care what others think, and are happiest being your true, authentic self. That’s something that’s always worth celebrating!
Preparing for a loved one’s birthday? Well, first things first, you’ll need a card! Luckily, we have plenty of 50th birthday cards available to help you share the love in whatever way suits you best, including all sorts of funny and heartfelt illustrations that our wonderful community of thortful creators have crafted.
Back to the reason you’re here – we want to help you have the incredible 50th birthday party of your dreams, so we’ve pulled together twelve ideas to plan a birthday bash you won’t soon forget. Let’s go!
Fancy 50th birthday party ideas:
You only turn 50 once, so why not celebrate in style? If you love any excuse to don your glad rags and get your friends dressed up too, check out these fantastic 50th birthday party ideas that will get everyone turned out in their finest.
1. Black tie formal event
Go all out and invite all of your friends and family to bring in your next decade in black tie finery. Whether it’s a dinner party, a dance, or a bit of both, everyone loves a reason to dress up. A live band can add a lot to the ambience, or you could hire some performers to really leave your guests in awe. You could theme the night as an art deco Gatsby-esque affair, a masquerade or a Bond-style Casino Royale evening of glam. And speaking of casinos…
2. Casino night
Put it all on red with a private casino night! Have your guests turn up in cocktail attire and wow them with elegant drinks, circulating hors d’oeuvres and chances to win. Don’t worry about remortgaging your house to cover your losses – keep it casual by playing for chips rather than cash.
3. Go to the races
Head to Newmarket, Cheltenham or Ascot (or somewhere a bit more local) for an exciting day at the races! While most races have no official dress code, you will be expected to look the part; think fascinators, cocktail dresses, collared shirts and smart shoes. Place a bet, cheer your horse and head out on the town afterwards to make an evening of it.
If you’re looking specifically for 50th birthday party ideas for a woman, Ladies’ Day is really the time to dress to impress, with many racecourses putting on fashion shows with prizes up for grabs.
4. Hold a party in a fancy venue
Depending on your budget, you can look at hiring out a venue for a fiftieth birthday party you will certainly never forget. Don’t forget to set up a photographer to capture the magic of the evening while you enjoy yourself! Some ideas include:
- Aquarium – Sip cocktails and eat nibbles surrounded by sharks, seahorses and all other manner of sea creatures.
- Castle – Feel like a member of royalty as the guest of honour in your own private castle (or at least, private event space in a castle setting). Depending on your budget, you could even go for exclusive use of a castle overnight.
- Hotel and spa – Party in the evening and unwind with relaxing treatments in the morning to recover. No hangovers here!
Outdoorsy things to do for a 50th birthday party:
You don’t need to have a summer birthday to enjoy these outdoorsy ideas (but it helps)!
5. BBQ in the garden
If you’re lucky enough to have the weather on your side, a BBQ in the garden can be a lovely way to celebrate with your loved ones at home. Opening up your garden space gives your guests room to move around your home without crowding inside, and the low-key 50th birthday idea of a BBQ means you won’t be worried about serving your guests a meal on your special day. You could even make it a potluck-style event, encouraging your guests to bring a meal, side or dessert to take the pressure off the host.
Try our guide to throwing the best summer BBQ for tips!
6. Outdoor day
For the more adventurous among us, an outdoor day might be the perfect way to spend your birthday! There are so many options to choose from: gorge walking, caving, rock climbing, canoeing, abseiling, or orienteering will bring your 50th birthday to the next level. If you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for exhilarating 50th birthday party ideas, find a local adventure centre or look further afield to make a staycation out of it!
Consider hiring accommodation near the activity site to ensure your group can shower and get changed before going out for a well-deserved dinner.
7. Camping
Pack up your tent, sleeping bag and portable stove and take your 50th birthday party on the road to find the perfect pitch. Spend the day walking around the local area (and scoping out the best pub lunches) before heading back to the campsite to toast marshmallows over a fire and spend the evening reconnecting with your loved ones.
Take it even further by instigating an off-grid rule; no phones or screens allowed! Find an old digital camera to capture your memories (we know you still have one somewhere in the junk drawer) and ensure your 50th birthday is marked with true, quality time together.
If you’re a bit of a lone wolf or just prefer to spend your birthday by yourself, this is also a great way to spend your birthday solo – check out our guide on how to make your birthday special for yourself for more ideas.
8. Cinema under the stars
There are two ways to approach this – you can look at local venues to see where there are outdoor cinema showings around your birthday (although this limits you to the dates of screening), or set up your own cinema in your garden by renting a projector and screen.
Lay out picnic rugs, snacks and plenty of blankets to stay warm, pick your favourite film and enjoy an evening under the stars. Bonus points if you have a fire pit to help everyone stay warm! This is a very cosy 50th birthday party idea that also works well if you have kids or even grandkids you want to celebrate with.
Celebrate your 50th birthday with friends:
Whether you have a big group of friends or a small but very close one, they will absolutely want to celebrate a milestone birthday with you. These are a few ways to have some fun with your besties on your special day.
9. 50th birthday theme – have a decades party!
You might not like to admit it, but your fiftieth birthday means you have lived through at least five decades. Think back on all of the fashion, cultural and social trends you’ve seen in your life – now, imagine them all in one place.
A decades party is where you invite your friends and family to a party where everyone is expected to dress like a certain decade; think big hair, legwarmers, butterfly clips and bright colours. And, since we’re celebrating a 50th birthday, one idea is to hold a decades party using your personal style over the decades of your life. Get ready to cringe!
10. Wine and…
If you love a glass or two of wine (and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), then you might love a ‘Wine and…’ 50th birthday theme. There are plenty of options available to suit your tastes.
- Wine and Paint involves sipping on your favourite vino while skilfully – or not so skilfully – decorating a piece of pottery, or following a live art tutorial. A great way to enjoy an afternoon with friends and have a keepsake to remember it by.
- Wine and Games parties involve pairing plonk with any type of party games you like. We recommend simple board games or schoolyard games that will get the group talking, like Would You Rather, Never Have I Ever, and Truth or Dare – prepare for it to get silly as the night goes on!
- Wine and Cheese. A classic pairing for a reason, a wine and cheese party is an elegant option if you want to be a bit fancier. Try getting a taster hamper to pit your palate against different pairings; maybe you’ll find a new favourite!
11. Take on a themed brunch
Boozy, French, drag, dim sum, 90s – there is no end to the different types of brunches you can find around the country! If you’d prefer a 50th birthday party idea that doesn’t carry on through the night, start early with a tasty brunch with your friends. Once you’ve had your fill of omelette and mimosas, the rest of the day is yours to do with as you please – maybe a boat trip down a river, a shopping spree or a trip to the beach.
For those who love to be the centre of attention, don’t forget the balloons, birthday sash, and badge so everyone in the restaurant knows it’s your special day!
12. Creating vision boards
Let’s get one thing straight – 50 is not old! Morgan Freeman’s breakthrough role was in his fifties, Judi Dench became both a dame and a household name in her fifties, and Colonel Sanders first franchised KFC in his sixties.
One 50th birthday party idea is to truly celebrate your success and potential by bringing your close friends together for a vision board or bucket list party. Talk about your aspirations and goals, what you’ve already achieved, what you want to achieve and what crazy dreams you’re still holding onto! This is a great way to celebrate your 50th birthday as the positive, amazing life milestone that it is and ensure you have plenty to look forward to for years to come.
Top tips when planning someone else’s 50th birthday party
- Think about what the birthday person would really enjoy – For some, that might be a blowout surprise party with everyone they know; for others, they might prefer to keep it casual and intimate with a few close loved ones. Think about themes, like a murder mystery party or a dignified tea party, that would really speak to them!
- Don’t force someone to celebrate – If you know the birthday person isn’t excited about turning 50 for any reason, it might be more appreciated if you just do something nice for them or have a quiet night in together.
- Celebrate the person, not the age – Turning 50 doesn’t look the same for any two people, so prioritise what you know about the birthday person, rather than falling into stereotypes of what a 50-year-old might like!
So that’s our rundown of the best 50th birthday party ideas! We hope you’ve found some inspiration for what to do on your 50th birthday, but if you’re looking for any other ideas, check out our blog for more ways to spend your birthday, as well as tips on the best birthday messages for various milestones, from turning 18 to 100th birthdays!
