Are you planning an upcoming milestone birthday for yourself or someone you love? Then you’re in luck! We’ve got a collection of fantastic 40th birthday party ideas for you to browse. Whether you’re looking for something simple and fun or planning a huge, big-deal blowout party, these 40th birthday party themes and options cover a wide range. We’ve also included party-planning tips to help you check all the boxes. Let’s see how you can craft the best celebration!
40th Birthday Party Ideas for a Day or Night Out
Birthdays are perfect opportunities to get your best friends out on the town! And when you look back on your outing, you want to remember the laughs and excitement you all shared. Don’t be shy about doing it up just the way you like—these 40th birthday party ideas should point you in the right direction!
1. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt
Whether you’re new to the city or you’ve been around for years, there’s always something new to discover. Why not round up your friends and start exploring on a Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt? We’ll guide you to interesting spots around the neighborhood and challenge you to trivia and funny photo ops along the way! Just download our scavenger hunt app, pick your hunt, and get tickets. We can help you explore cities around the world. And if you want to make your 40th birthday celebration extra special, create a custom birthday scavenger hunt complete with personalized trivia! Ready to roam?
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2. Bar Crawl
Are you picturing a boozy birthday celebration? Try a bar crawl from Let’s Roam! You can hop in style to awesome hot spots in cities all over. Take your group to explore watering holes you might not know about and some local favorites! Our app-led event will also challenge your group with hilarious photo challenges, fun trivia questions, and other competitive group activities. Check out the bar crawls available in your area today!
3. Chef’s Table Reservation
A milestone birthday is a perfect excuse to finally check out a restaurant you’ve been dreaming about in your area. Some high-end restaurants offer a chef’s table where you can experience a menu designed by the restaurant’s chef, and that experience is extremely unique and memorable. Even if there isn’t a specific chef’s table, you can still make a reservation for your nearest and dearest friends and dress up for a fun night out. Kick back and take your time as you order small plates to accompany some fabulous conversation. Treat yourself (or the birthday star) to a wonderful dining experience for this special occasion.
4. Brunch Party
You don’t have to wait to kick off the birthday celebration—do it up big over brunch! It’s not breakfast, and it’s not lunch. It’s one of the best opportunities to eat good food mid-day and enjoy mimosas, bloody marys, or some mocktails! Get your best friends together, have a great meal, and then choose your own adventure for the rest of the day. You can either break after brunch or continue the festivities and have a day of excitement. Add a spa visit to make it a relaxing birthday outing. This is a great 40th birthday party idea if you have a small group of friends or family that you want to include but don’t want to do the cooking yourself.
5. Daredevil Day
Check your bucket list! Milestone birthdays are a popular time to check off something big, like skydiving or bungee jumping. Recruit one or two of your daredevil friends to come with you. If you want something adventurous but not so intense, try ziplining, or take a surfing lesson with a professional. A wild, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would be the perfect way to usher in a new decade of life. If you’re feeling really crazy, consider making an appointment at a tattoo shop to commemorate your birthday adventure with a permanent souvenir!
6. Wine Tasting
Spend your special day at a vineyard to class things up. Most locations have beautiful views and great outdoor spaces—you’ll love sitting back and sampling the wines! Grab a few of your friends, and pick a winery or two. Make sure to have a designated driver or take a form of public transportation so you don’t have to worry about your wine consumption. Many of the wineries have snacks, like cheeseboards or appetizers. Plan ahead, make reservations for your group, and then relax and enjoy the tranquil afternoon. Wine lovers can also bring home souvenirs to keep the good vibes flowing in the days ahead.
7. Trivia Night
Pubs and bars in most major cities host a trivia night once a week. It makes for a really fun group activity! Round up a few of your nerdiest friends, and see if you can take the top prize at your local tavern. Questions are typically general knowledge with a few specific categories sprinkled in, but some places host very specific trivia nights for certain movie franchises or TV shows. Harry Potter and Star Wars are two common themes. If you and your friends are super fans, you could sign up for something themed and take it to the next level by dressing up! You never know who you’ll be up against—and that’s exciting. It would be cool to find out how long your crew can go undefeated!
8. Art Class
Bring out your inner van Gogh by taking your group to an art class! Try your hand at pottery, painting, drawing, or even something unique like glass blowing. Some classes allow you to bring in co*cktails and snacks to enjoy while you go through step-by-step instructions that are great for beginners! Create your own symbolic souvenir commemorating the day or the lessons you’ve learned in life so far, and maybe some of your guests will also gift you their masterpieces. Make it a birthday to remember, and find out which of your loved ones has a secret talent.
9. Day at the Ballpark
Take your group out to the ballpark for some fun in the sun. Baseball games are an easy sporting event for groups to attend: Tickets are usually more affordable than other sporting events, and you get to bond outside. Stop at the concession stand for hot dogs, ice cream treats, and the classic Cracker Jack snacks. Spend the nine innings cheering and watching the game while chatting with your friends and enjoying the festive atmosphere. If you’re throwing the event for someone else, consider surprising them with a shoutout on the big screen!
10. Live Music
Seeing live music with your closest friends is a great way to usher in a new decade of your life. Check your local entertainment calendars, and see what kinds of live music shows are available. Whether you choose a well-known entertainer or someone local and relatively undiscovered, your group will have a ball dancing and jamming with the music. From outdoor venues in parks and stadiums to small, intimate cafes, there are many stages to complement your vibe, so get out and have fun!
11. Roller Skating Rink
Did you grow up going to birthday parties at roller skating rinks? Why not bring back this retro activity and see if your friends can still roll around and show off their moves? Strap on your skates and maybe some 80s attire, and enjoy the throwback songs and disco ball lights at the rink. Most metro areas have at least one roller rink operating today, so see if they allow parties, and book your spot.
12. Karaoke Night Out
Belt your heart out at a karaoke spot for your birthday party! Some places rent private rooms. Your party can scream and shout, and the only audience will be those you invite. If you’re ready to perform for a larger crowd, you can find a local pub or tavern hosting a karaoke night. People take turns on the stage singing along to their favorite songs. It’s a fun way to get your friends to loosen up a bit and do something they wouldn’t normally do. Plus, being serenaded for your birthday could be more enjoyable than you think!
13. Pickleball Tournament
Pickleball is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports, and it’s not just for senior citizens anymore. Celebrate turning 40 with an engaging athletic event that anyone can play. Find a pickleball court near you, and brush up on the rules of the game. Divide your guests into teams, and invite them to wear team colors. Play some rounds tournament style, and see who gets crowned the Pickleball champions. You might discover that everyone enjoys playing so much that you make it a monthly event.
At-Home 40th Birthday Party Ideas
If your group wants something more low-key or you want to avoid bars and taverns, there are some fun ways to host a 40th birthday celebration at home and make it memorable. Try one of these themes or parties—they’re easy to plan!
14. Dips and Drinks Gathering
Charcuterie boards are having a moment in the spotlight right now. Take advantage of these yummy snack boards, and host a “dips and drinks” gathering. This is a great option when you want to host a large group without a structured schedule. People can come and go, keeping the vibe light and casual. Set out finger foods, like veggies and crackers, with different dips—everyone can then snack and hang without the formality of a meal. The party supplies can be minimal because you won’t need a lot of silverware or dishes. Provide drinks that pair well with your snacks! If you’re having some cheese boards, you can supply a few of your favorite wines.
15. Private Chef Fancy Dinner Party
If you want something special for your 40th birthday party, consider bringing in a private chef or caterer to do all the heavy lifting at your party. Get birthday decorations to make the table festive, make a playlist ahead of time with your favorites, and invite your party guests to come in their fancy co*cktail attire. Choose a cuisine that you love, and then let the chef do the cooking—you can spend the evening enjoying the company and celebrating in style!
16. Costume Party
You don’t have to wait for Halloween to dress up. If you enjoy any excuse to dress up according to a cool theme, throw a birthday party that requires a costume! You can get as specific as you want. Ask people to dress up as mythological creatures or their favorite celebrities! Or choose a decade, and tell your guests to dress in that era’s style. Don’t forget to set up a photo booth so you can capture all the creative looks your friends and family come up with. It’s a fun reason to open the costume bin at home or get shopping for the perfect look.
17. Game Day or Night
Games are a great way to bring people together. Plan an exciting day or night for your loved ones to come over for some games. Serve snacks, appetizers, and some drinks, and enjoy a little friendly competition. You can set up outdoor games in the backyard, like bocce ball or badminton. Minute-to-Win-It games are always a hit, like putting an Oreo on your forehead and seeing if you can get it to your mouth without using your hands in under a minute. If the weather isn’t great, you can plan for board games or video games indoors instead. No matter what you choose, letting loose with your loved ones will be a blast!
18. Backyard BBQ/Picnic
Low-key backyard BBQs are perfect for any celebration. You really just need a grill. You can cook fish, burgers, hot dogs, vegetables, and more. Invite your guests to bring their favorite side dishes, and turn the event into a potluck. Put out some coolers with your favorite drinks, and let the party begin! If you have a bonfire pit, you can swap the traditional birthday cake for a s’mores station and invite your guests to roast marshmallows by the fire.
19. Murder Mystery Dinner Event
Family members and friends will love a murder mystery dinner party. It combines the costume party and game night into one unforgettable event. We can help you organize a virtual murder mystery event, or you can pick up a boxed option on Amazon that gives you all the instructions to assemble your own. Guests will be assigned a character with a backstory and play that person all evening. They will take time to chat with other guests to determine who is responsible for the murder. It’s a fun way to help people break out of their shells and put their acting chops to work.
Tips to Throw a Perfect 40th Birthday Bash
Whether you’re going all out or looking for something simple for your 40th birthday party celebration, there are a few things to consider to throw the perfect party. Read these tips while you plan to ensure you’ve thought of everything.
Celebrate 40th birthdays on vacation.
Other popular birthday celebration ideas for milestone birthdays include traveling outside your hometown. Invite your friends for a weekend adventure to New York City or Las Vegas. If you enjoy golf, you can go to Arizona or Florida. A destination celebration is always fun for the guest of honor, but asking your friends and family to pay for a vacation can be difficult, so consider budgets and the group size ahead of time.
Invite close friends and loved ones.
The guest list is critical. You don’t want to leave anyone out of the special celebration, so if you’re throwing the party for someone else, you might want to crowdsource for the guest list so you cover all the bases. Knowing the number of invites will help you plan the right venue to fit your guests.
Don’t forget the party decorations.
Party decorations don’t have to be over the top and perfect, but they will help boost the festive nature. DIY decorations are a budget-friendly option. Grab some flowers from the garden for centerpieces at a dinner party, or put up a wall of streamers or balloons that can serve as a great photo backdrop. If there’s a theme, pick out napkins, dishes, tablecloths, and decorations that fit. Have a few extras because you never know when someone will accidentally throw their fork away or need an extra napkin for a spill.
Consider making it a surprise!
If you’re planning a birthday bash for your friend’s big day, decide whether or not you want it to be a surprise. It takes a bit more planning to ensure they don’t know it’s coming, but the big reveal can make the event more special. Not everyone loves to be surprised, so it’s important to consider the guest of honor when making this decision.Communicate clearly with the invited guests when throwing a surprise party. You wouldn’t want someone’s loose lips ruining all your hard work, and everyone will need to know where and when they should arrive.
Send guests home with party favors.
Party favors are a nice way to thank your guests for attending. Plus, everyone will be able to remember the special day! Polaroids are cool souvenirs for people to display at home. Customizable drink glasses or koozies to keep drinks cold might be a good choice, depending on the crowd. Another easy option is a cute doggy bag—people can take home some extra food and desserts for later. That’s a good way to reduce waste and give people something they will enjoy after the party. Keep it simple, but make it fun.
Add party games to loosen people up.
Party games will help people get to know each other. They’re helpful icebreakers when you’re bringing together different groups of friends and family members. Pick games that fit your theme, but keep them optional for guests.Forcing activities on people might have the opposite effect, so know your crowd!
Have lots of food, drinks, and birthday cake.
Food and drinks are the most important part of any social gathering. Plan to have some kind of birthday treat for the guest of honor! How could you miss blowing out the candles after the traditional Happy Birthday song? Cupcakes, for instance, are simple and don’t require any special cake-cutting.
Consider the time of the party when planning food. If you’re inviting guests over lunchtime or dinnertime, it’s expected that there will be food for them. Check for any dietary restrictions ahead of time. Ensure that some nonalcoholic drinks are available if anyone is not drinking, and keep water accessible for guests. Eat, drink, and be merry!
Pick out a fun 40th birthday gift.
The guest of honor is becoming a 40-year-old, and that’s the reason for the celebration. Pick out a thoughtful birthday gift. The best gifts are something the person can use but might not buy themselves. Find an experience, like a spa treatment or delicious restaurant, that they can try. Food and drinks also make great gifts, like a good bottle of wine or a subscription box with yummy candies.
Wrapping Up
We hope you found these 40th birthday party ideas fun and joyful! Some people might joke, but turning 40 doesn’t mean you’re over the hill. Don’t hold back with the festivities if you’re feeling the vibe. Celebrate entering another decade with your friends and family using our party ideas and planning tips, and enjoy this beautiful occasion to the fullest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 40 such a milestone birthday?
New decades mark milestone birthdays, and since 40 is halfway to the average expected lifespan (around 78 yrs old), it makes sense that you should go big with your 40th birthday party ideas.
What can I do to celebrate my 40th birthday that isn’t a party?
If you don’t want to party, host a fun event for your 40th birthday that gets your nearest and dearest out exploring something new. Try a scavenger hunt in your city, head to the ballpark, or enjoy live music.
What are unique 40th birthday party ideas?
Unique 40th birthday party ideas include a murder mystery dinner, fun bar crawl, or pickleball tournament. Really, any gathering of your favorite people doing a new activity will do the trick!
How can I throw a 40th birthday party at home?
Planning an at-home 40th birthday party is easier than ever. Just hire a private chef to cook the food, and organize an at-home game night. Don’t forget the decorations and a fun dress-up theme!
How do you celebrate your 40th birthday on a budget?
It doesn’t take a lot of money to have a special time. Have everyone bring a delicious dish to a backyard BBQ, go sing your hearts out for karaoke night, or try a trivia night!
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