The 50 Best 50th Birthday Party Ideas (2024)

A 50th birthday is one of the biggest milestones in life. If your loved one is turning 50, it’s important to celebrate. Throw a party that honors all the amazing things the honoree has done and will do. Kick off your party planning with our list of the best 50th birthday party ideas. We outline everything from food and drink to decor and gift ideas to have a memorable celebration.

A fun element to any birthday, but especially a 50th birthday, is when the birthday guy or gal opens their gifts. Find the perfect personalized gift—whether that’s a photo mug, canvas, or photo book. Just be sure the gift has heart and feeling so your loved one feels extra special on their big day.

  • 50th Birthday Party Ideas for Anyone
  • 50th Birthday Party Ideas for Men
  • 50th Birthday Party Ideas for Women
  • 50th Surprise Party Themes
  • Elegant 50th Ideas
  • Ideas for Party Decorations
  • Ideas for 50th Birthday Gifts
  • Inspiration for Birthday Party Invitations
  • Ideas for Food and Drinks
  • Ideas for Party Favors

Fun 50th Birthday Party Ideas for Anyone

If you’re planning a classic 50th bash, you’re probably looking for ideas that work perfectly for anyone. The following ideas guarantee everyone having fun at the party. And once you’ve picked a theme, make sure to check out our resource on fun party games to include.

  • Cheers To 50 Years: Feature the guest of honor’s favorite drink and get the party started. This is also a perfect theme to share a meaningful toast.
  • Props to You: Congratulate your loved one on everything they’ve achieved through the years. Create a photobooth are with plenty of pops with fun sayings to kick off the event.
  • Rock Stars: Bring in a live band and celebrate their birthday in style. This theme features lots of dancing, perfect for your rocking loved one.
  • Kids at Heart: No matter their age, the guest of honor is young at heart. Showcase this at their 50th birthday through youthful decor. Things like bright balloons, candy, and games make perfect additions.
  • 50’s Decade Party: Not only do the 50’s have great decor, but they also make for a perfect 50th party theme. Encourage guests to dress in costume and include a retro soundtrack for the night.

The 50 Best 50th Birthday Party Ideas (5)

50th Birthday Party Ideas for Men

Whether you’re trying to find a party idea for a husband, father, friend, or other, we’ve got you covered. Check out our ideas for the “him” in your life.

  • Silver Fox Party: Pick stunning silver decor and dress to the nines for this classy event. This is the perfect way to tell the guest of honor they’ll never go out of style.
  • Fifty Years, Beers, and Cheers: Is the guest of honor a brewmaster or just a beer lover? Then they’ll love a party centered around their favorite beverage. For a centerpiece meant to impress, consider stacking 50 beers in a pyramid.
  • The Man, the Myth, The Legend: This theme highlights the guest of honor as the legend you know he is. To carry out this idea, make sure to include banners or a chalkboard that reads “The Man, The Myth, The Legend.” And make sure to leave time for a toast.
  • Then to Now (Timeline Party): Print out a timeline of the birthday boy with custom photos of him as a kid, a teen, and an adult. Enjoy the memories throughout the party and leave space for guests to leave kind notes.
  • Pops Party: Let Pops know he’s loved with a popsicle and soda party. Not only will this bring out his inner kid, but it’s also perfect for a party in the warmer months.

50th Birthday Party Ideas for Women

These 50th birthday ideas for her capture how special she is in your life. If you have a mother, grandmother, or sister turning 50, check out the following for inspiration.

  • One Hot Tamale: No matter her age, your loved one is always a stand out. Let her know with this play-on-words theme that features jars of hot tamales and spicy entrees. Make sure to include plenty of red in the decor and dress code.
  • Nothing to Wine About: If the guest of honor has a taste for wine, make sure to include plenty on their birthday. Try to buy vintage wines and have each guest bring their favorite bottle for a truly memorable wine tasting filled night.
  • Jetsetter: Does Mom love to travel? Does she have a favorite country? If so, this makes the perfect party theme. Include plenty of world map decor and include her favorite foods from a country dear to her heart.
  • A Sweet Five-O: Use candy, cupcakes, or any other sweet to spell out 50 on a dessert table. Include glass jars throughout the party filled with fifty of any of these treats. This theme is perfect for bringing a little sugar to the party.
  • A Family Affair: Let the matriarch of your family know she’s loved through a family focused event. Include plenty of family photos and feature family recipes on the menu. Help her welcome her golden birthday with all her loved ones at her side.

The 50 Best 50th Birthday Party Ideas (6)

Memorable 50th Surprise Party Themes

Some people love surprise parties. Just remember, not everyone loves a jump scare. Check out these special surprise themes that show unexpected care and love below:

  • Scavenger Hunt: Create a scavenger hunt for the honoree. Feature special memories from their life or their favorite foods for a fun and surprising twist. At the end of the hunt, lead them to their party so they can celebrate with loved ones.
  • Dinner Party: If the honoree is a lover of all things food, throw a dinner party. Feature their favorite dishes and have all their loved ones there. Most importantly, don’t let them do the dishes!
  • (Te)quila with Kindness: Celebrate half a century with the honoree’s favorite liquor. This is a fun adults-only party with an opportunity for themed shot glasses and toasts.
  • 50 Years Back: Decorate for this theme by transforming the venue back in time to the year the guest of honor was born. When they walk into the surprise they’ll love the throwback style.
  • Favorite Decade Party: Decorate the venue with a theme from the honoree’s favorite decade. Whether it’s a 70’s hippie dress code or 80’s disco party, they’ll love walking into this surprise.

Elegant 50th Ideas

If the guest of honor is known for their elegant style you’ll want to throw a party to match. Check out our more mature celebration ideas for inspiration.

  • Vintage Classic: For a guest of honor who’s got great style, throw a vintage party. Use art deco style decorations and old-fashioned foods. Include classic-style chalkboard signs and plenty of champagne for a fun, yet mature, party.
  • The Golden Milestone: Bling out your party with a golden milestone theme. Use golden decor like mylar balloons, confetti, and table runners. Have the guest of honor dress in gold with the rest of the guests in black for stand-out elegant photos.
  • Black and White: This theme is a classic for reason. Use plenty of black and white decor and use simple and delicious drinks and food. For a fun touch, have all guests under 50 wear black and all guests over 50 wear white.
  • The Great Gatsby: Known for luxury and excess, this makes the perfect theme for an out-of-this-era party. With a 20’s themed dress code, art deco decor, and plenty of champagne, guests will talk about this celebration for years to come.
  • Birthday Gala: This theme means a large venue and even bigger guest list. Have everyone dress to the nines and order decorations to match. Honor your loved one with a celebration only they could pull off.

Ideas for Party Decorations

Party decorations make a party come alive. Make sure your 50th birthday party highlights the honoree with the following ideas.

  • 50 Rocks! Think lots and lots of pop rock candy and signs that read “50 Rocks!” For an added touch, includestones with themed wording. This makes for a light hearted and fun theme for any 50th birthday party.
  • Golden Decorations: This theme plays into celebrating your loved one’s golden milestone. Use gold accents in balloons, streamers, confetti, and anything else you want. When the guest of honor walks in they’ll love this golden decor.
  • Throwback Decor: Take advantage of your party to print tons of throwback photos of your loved one. Create customized banners or postersof those special old photos. This is a great way to show how much the guest of honor changed over the years.
  • Photo Booth: A photo booth is a perfect focal point for any 50th birthday party. Create plenty of props and make a special backdrop, then let your guests go wild.
  • Singable Posters: One photo perfect way to capture the special person the birthday is all about is through signable custom posters. Print your favorite photo of the birthday boy or girl and then leave plenty of space on the border. Give all of your guests markers and have them sign the poster with kind words and well wishes.

Ideas for 50th Birthday Gifts

When the party’s over, you’ll want your guest of honor to walk away with something special. Use these tips when coming up with the right birthday gift for a loved one. If you’re looking for a more complete list of ideas check out our resource on gift exchange ideas for parties.

  • Photobook: This classic gift perfectly plays into a 50th birthday theme and adds value for years to come. Highlight the years of amazing things your loved one has done with a custom photo book.
  • Jar of Messages: Have everyone special to the honoree write a kind message and store them in a jar for later. Whether it’s from a coworker, daughter, or mother, these are perfect and special to make.
  • Travel Fund: Is there somewhere that your loved one has been dying to go? Have all guests contribute to a travel fund for the guest of honor. When they find out that special vacation is already funded, your loved one will feel truly appreciated.
  • Spa Day: This is a great way to extend the guest of honor’s special day. A spa day will help them relax and unwind, and it’s a perfect birthday gift.
  • Photo Printed Chocolates: Who doesn’t love chocolate? Take this classic gift a step farther by getting custom printed photo chocolate. Use images that celebrate the many things the guest of honor has done, or use family photos. It’s a great way to bring a smile to your loved one’s face.

The 50 Best 50th Birthday Party Ideas (7)

Inspiration for Birthday Party Invitations

Birthday invitations tell your guests all the important information like the theme, date, location and more. Check out these ideas for inspiration when picking your cards. Then, once you’ve picked a deign check out our resource on what to include in a party invitation or our piece on party invitation wording.

  • Surprise Birthday Party Invites: Shhhhh, don’t spoil the surprise! Make this clear from the start by using a surprise birthday invitation.
  • Golden Foil Invites: A classic choice for a special birthday. Golden foil birthday invitations are beautifully designed and perfect for any 50th celebration.
  • Vintage Signage Invites: These invites are classy and clean, a perfect way to tell your guests about the upcoming elegant affair.
  • Timeline Invites: Use a childhood photo and a current photo to show all the guests just how far the honoree has come. Timeline invites make a perfect 50th thematic tie in.
  • Humor Filled Invites: Is the birthday boy or girl known for their sense of humor? If so, consider using a comical invite to announce their upcoming party.

Food and Drinks for a 50th Birthday Party

Foods and drinks are more than just an average party staple. Without them, guests are left hungry and disappointed, but the right choice brings a party to life. Make sure your food and drinks tie into your theme with the following five ideas, or with our complete resource on birthday party food ideas.

  • Chocolate Kisses: This sweet makes a perfect tie into a 50th birthday party. Use gold foil kisses and fill jars with 50 chocolates each. Also, use custom signage to bring focus to the decorations.
  • Vintage Food and Drinks: Classic cokes, retro candy, and old fashioned recipes are great ways to celebrate the passing decades. Make sure to also include any foods or recipes that the guest of honor loves.
  • Famous Food by Decade: Similar to the vintage food and drinks, this theme plays on the passage of time. Separate dishes by decade to feature all the changes that have happened over the years.
  • Custom Cocktails: Create a custom cocktail that represents the guest of honor.Or, consider creating a custom mocktail menu for those that want non-alcoholic options.
  • Guest of Honor’s Favorites: It’s important to always consider fan favorites of the honoree’s. If they love apple pie or if baked potatoes bars always bring a smile to their face, include it on the menu.

Ideas for Party Favors

Party favors help preserve the amazing memories made at the party. Send your guests home with something that represents the honoree and the good times shared with the following ideas.

  • Decorated Cookies: Decorated cookies are a tasty classic that won’t add clutter in the long run. Decorate the frosting with the honoree’s name and “50th” for a special touch.
  • Bottle Openers: Customized bottle openers are both useful and fun. With these favors, you’ll make sure the honoree stays the life of the party.
  • Wine Glasses: Adding the name of the honoree, party theme, and date to wine glasses make the perfect party favor. This is a great option for more elegant parties.
  • Customized Mugs: Mugs are useful for anyone’s daily routine. Make the honoree the focus of everyone’s morning with a customized photo mug.
  • 50 Pennies For Your Thoughts: This is a simple and cheap to create an option that adds special meaning. Fill small jars with 50 pennies and write “50 Pennies for Your Thoughts.” Then add the honoree’s name and age on the jar.

The 50 Best 50th Birthday Party Ideas (8)

After all party planning is said and done, you’ll have created a celebration to remember. Make sure to enjoy it and spend time with your loved ones. Also, don’t forget to take plenty of photos. You’ll want to remember this party in years to come. Planning the perfect 50th birthday party means spending time with the ones you love and buying a personalized custom gift that your loved one will appreciate and remember.

Explore Categories

Graduation Invitations
Custom Photo Blankets
Save the Dates
Wall Calendars
The 50 Best 50th Birthday Party Ideas (2024)

FAQs

Where is the best place to go for 50th birthday? ›

Other birthday options include submerging yourself in the marine world of Cozumel National Marine Park in Mexico, or perhaps exploring the ancient ruins of Delos in Greece. For a touch of Italian splendor, consider visiting the Colosseum in Rome as well. Let your imagination run wild; you only turn 50 once, after all.

What is traditional for a 50TH birthday? ›

The 50th birthday uses gold as a traditional theme because it's symbolic of the timeless quality you develop in those 50 years. Gold is valuable, coveted, and beautiful.

What is the color for turning 50? ›

Gold is traditionally the color associated with 50th birthdays because 50 is considered the “golden age”.

What Colour to wear for 50th birthday? ›

What to wear to a 50th birthday party. Gold is the perfect colour to wear to a "golden jubilee" birthday party. As long as your chosen birthday outfits make you feel comfortable and are suitable for both the venue and the weather, you'll be sure to find the perfect birthday outfit for a 50th birthday party.

What can a woman do for her 50th birthday? ›

Exciting 50th Birthday Party Ideas
  • Escape Rooms. It's a form of entertainment that's gained steam for several years, and it might be just right for your mother, your aunt, or whoever is the special 50 year old woman in your life. ...
  • Rock Climbing. ...
  • Go-Karting. ...
  • Sporting Events. ...
  • Jet Skiing.
Jan 31, 2020

How can I celebrate my 50th birthday at home? ›

Intimate Gatherings
  1. Dinner with Family and Friends. A special 50th birthday celebration calls for an intimate dinner surrounded by family and friends. ...
  2. Picnic in Nature. Embrace the outdoors with a scenic picnic for close family and friends. ...
  3. Movie Night at Home. ...
  4. Spa Day for 50th Birthday.
Nov 2, 2023

Is 50 a milestone birthday? ›

As mentioned above 16,17, 18 and 21 are often considered milestone birthdays. After that, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th birthdays are significant. Some people may celebrate 65th 66th or 67th birthdays as milestone birthdays, due to this being associated with 'official' retirement ages.

Why is it good to turn 50? ›

An unexpected benefit of turning 50 is seeing how your kids have morphed into really great adults—validation that all your hard work was worth it. For many people, turning 50 means re-evaluating how you want to spend the next phase of life.

What time should a 50th birthday party start? ›

If your 50th birthday party vision veers towards an exquisite cocktail soirée or a sophisticated dinner party, contemplate setting it for 7 p.m. on a weekday. To up the fun quotient, consider introducing some engaging dinner party games.

Where can I take my wife for her 50th birthday? ›

Vacation with family to celebrate your 50th birthday
  • Theme park. Prepare to have a blast if you choose to go to a theme park with family and friends for your 50th birthday celebration. ...
  • Road trip. ...
  • Foodie tour. ...
  • Wine tasting. ...
  • Hiking vacation. ...
  • National parks. ...
  • Northern lights. ...
  • Seven Wonders of the World.
Mar 4, 2022

Which place is best for celebrating birthday? ›

Best Places To Celebrate Your Birthday: Ultimate Guide for Fun-filled Celebrations
  • Cosy Cafe. ...
  • Paint The World But With Paintball ! ...
  • A Pool Party. ...
  • Vibrant Nightlife Venue. ...
  • Relaxing Spa. ...
  • Arcade Venues. ...
  • Enjoy The Thrilling Escape Room. ...
  • Go Go-karting.
Mar 7, 2024

What are the colors for the 50TH celebration? ›

What Color Combination is the 50th Birthday? The quintessential color combination for a 50th birthday is black and gold. While black symbolizes elegance and formality, gold adds a touch of celebration and grandeur. Together, they create a harmonious blend that reflects the significance of reaching the golden milestone.

How do you keep a party a secret? ›

The best way to make sure that your surprise birthday party planning remains a secret is to tell as few people as possible. Keep the party planning details within the smallest circle of people possible, and you'll be more likely to surprise your special someone. Find a partner in crime.

What is the color theme for the 50TH birthday party? ›

50th Birthday Party Ideas & 50th Birthday Party Themes
  • 50TH BIRTHDAY DECORATIONS.
  • PERSONALISED 50TH BIRTHDAY BALLOONS.
  • 50TH BIRTHDAY BALLOONS.
  • BLUE & GOLD 50TH BIRTHDAY THEME.
  • ROSE GOLD 50TH BIRTHDAY THEME.
  • PINK, PURPLE & BLACK 50TH BIRTHDAY THEME.
  • BLACK & GOLD 50TH BIRTHDAY THEME.
  • BLACK & SILVER 50TH BIRTHDAY THEME.

How long should a 50TH birthday party last? ›

A standard length for birthday parties is around four hours.

If you intend to have an open bar, tons of games, or dancing, the event might run longer than four hours.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5761

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.