21st Birthday Party Ideas: 21 Ways to Celebrate This Milestone B-Day
Turning 21 is a big deal and it’s time to celebrate this milestone birthday your way! From taking a cross-country road trip to indulging in a fancy brunch to booking a day cruise, there are so many ways to make this moment memorable. Here, we’ve gathered some of the best 21st birthday party ideas to help you celebrate in style. Plus, you’ll find matching digital invitations to invite guests to the big day.
21 Epic 21st Birthday Party Ideas
Whether you want to keep it chill on land or make a splash on the open seas, these 21st birthday party ideas will help you mark this milestone birthday and create unforgettable memories. You’ll also find plenty of birthday party invitation inspiration so you can start spreading the word about your celebration.
1. Raise a Glass at Brunch
Design: Jen Montgomery
Invitation Inspiration: Delightful Champagne Coupe Invitation
You’re 21 — that means you can raise a glass to yourself! Plan a celebratory brunch complete with mimosas, bloody marys, and all the fixings. Gather your besties and head to an upscale spot where you can indulge in delicious food like French toast, eggs Benedict, and fruit parfaits. You’ll have plenty of photo opps to share on your socials, so be sure to savor the moment with your favorite people.
2. Sing Your Heart Out at Karaoke
Grab your pals, your birthday sash, and head to a karaoke bar to sing your heart out like the rockstar you are. If you’re not keen on belting it out in public, rent a private room at a karaoke bar. If that’s not an option, have a birthday party and mix it up with some hilarious karaoke games.
3. Get Away From It All With a Spa Day
Design: Blustery August
Invitation Inspiration: Twenty One Invitation
Relax and escape the pressures of the real world by celebrating your 21st birthday with a spa day. Book a specialty facial and/or massages to ease into the next chapter of adulthood. If you feel like splurging, turn the spa day into a spa weekend by heading to a wellness retreat.
For a budget-friendly option, plan a spa day birthday party at home. Buy supplies like face masks, nail polish, and scrubs and set the mood with a calming playlist, scented candles, and tasty snacks.
4. Have a Blast at an Escape Room
Love playing games and using your brain? Head to an escape room for your 21st birthday party. You and your friends will be trapped in a room and have to work through various puzzles to get out — all within a time limit. It’s a fun way to bond, laugh, and escape the everyday routine of adulting!
5. Host a Themed Party
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: 21 Forever Invitation
Nothing is more fun than a party theme. Get into the spirit with 21st birthday theme ideas like a millennium party or choose a decade like the 1920s. You could also choose a birthday theme based on your favorite TV show or movie.
Ask guests to dress up as part of your costume party theme when sending out your invitations. Share ideas to make it easier for guests or let them run with it and be surprised by their creativity.
Don’t forget to pick out 21st birthday party decorations. Balloons, streamers, and confetti are always great party decor options. You can pick up gold birthday balloons in the number 21 for a touch of glam and be sure to hang up a birthday banner.
6. Settle In With a Slumber Party
Prefer staying in to going out? You can’t go wrong with a fun sleepover. Get matching pajamas and dine on comfort foods like pizza, wings, and sliders. (And yes, champagne!) Set out giant throw pillows and cozy throws to ensure everyone’s comfy. Watch your favorite rom-coms or just chat all night long, reminiscing about all your adventures over the years.
7. Level Up With a Mixology Class
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Minimal Martini Invitation
Now that you’re of legal drinking age, you may want to toast your 21st birthday with a well-crafted cocktail. But rather than just having a drink, do a deep dive to learn about the art and science (and history) that goes into craft cocktails with a mixology class. Choose a virtual class to share with friends or head to a chic bar to learn tips and tricks from a professional mixologist.
8. Cool Off With a Pool Party
Lounge in the sun and celebrate the 21-year-old’s big day with an unforgettable pool party. Grab some floaties like a clamshell or unicorn and don’t forget to play some games. Floating beer pong is a fun way to celebrate turning 21 or you can stick to classics like water polo.
After spending so many hours in the sun, you’ll be famished — and thirsty! Serve birthday cupcakes for a sweet treat and keep guests fed with easy foods like tacos. Wash it down with your favorite cocktail and offer non-alcoholic versions too.
9. Take a Trip of a Lifetime
Design: Loree Mayer Design
Invitation Inspiration: Trip Around the Sun Invitation
To celebrate your 21st birthday, plan a road trip to the most popular National Parks or head to 21st birthday hotspots like Las Vegas, Cabo, or Cancun. You can also plan an international getaway that you’ll never forget. Sip schnapps in the Alps, tour through gorgeous wineries in France, or stroll through the ancient ruins of Greece.
10. Go on a Booze Cruise
If a 21st birthday on land feels a bit too pedestrian, why not take it to the open seas with a booze cruise? Book a sailboat with your friends and fam, or opt for a catamaran or yacht for a fancier adventure. Just be sure to bring the birthday cake and plenty of sunscreen.
11. Plan a Picture-Perfect Picnic
Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery
Invitation Inspiration: The Perfect Picnic Invitation
Plan an aesthetic picnic to have a mellow afternoon celebrating the 21-year-old. Hang a birthday banner from the trees or a shade cover and choose 21st birthday decorations like balloons and poppers. Classic picnic decor like a gingham tablecloth and fresh flowers will also set the scene. Make a spread of tasty treats including cold cuts, cheese, and fresh veggies to snack on for a photo-worthy celebration.
12. Do Something Wild
Want an epic 21st birthday party idea? Plan a happy 21st birthday adventure that takes you out of your comfort zone — think skydiving, heli skiing, parasailing, surfing, or scuba diving. Whatever activity you choose, do it with your best friends and you’re sure to remember this birthday for the rest of your lives.
13. Rent a Party Bus
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Twenty One Finally Invitation
Gather your close friends and rent a party bus to go bar hopping on your 21st birthday. You won’t have to worry about finding a designated driver, plus you can book a rezzie ahead of time at your favorite restaurant so you can enjoy being chauffeured to a fabulous meal.
14. Host a Casino Night
Want to gamble, but don’t want to make the trek to Las Vegas? Host a casino night in your own place! Play card games like blackjack and 21 or hire a party company to transform your space into a glam play room with roulette tables, craps tables, and slot machines.
15. Take It Outdoors
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Invitation Inspiration: Starlight Cinema Invitation
If you prefer the great outdoors, celebrate your 21st birthday party with an outdoor movie night replete with drinks, snacks, and your favorite movies. Want more of an adventure? Plan a camping trip with your favorite people and indulge in campfire s’mores. Of course, you could always go glamping if you’d rather not rough it that much.
16. Plan a House Party
Whether you want to go all-out with an elaborate red carpet event or simply host a casual get-together with friends and family, a house party is a fun way to make it happen. Set the scene with birthday party decorations, a photo booth, tasty appetizers, and a DIY bar where guests can make their own creations.
17. Book a Day Cruise
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Champagne Accent Invitation
Celebrate this special day with a cruise on a lake or the ocean. Hire a skipper for the day cruise so you don’t have to worry about driving the boat. If you love boating, consider getting friends together to wakeboard, fish, or tube.
18. Get Competitive With Game Night
It’s game time! Celebrate your 21st birthday with a game night theme. Whether you prefer board games or video games (or a mix of both), you can set up a competition of individual players or teams. Take some cues from our list of outdoor party games and dinner party games for adults to ensure there’s never a dull moment.
19. Take a Wine Tasting Trip
Design: Raven Erebus
Invitation Inspiration: Classic Wine Country Invitation
For a fancy 21st birthday celebration, plan a wine tasting trip. You can head to a low-key winery in off-the-beaten path regions like Oregon and Washington or head to big name spots in Napa and Sonoma. Can’t’ make it a full trip? Bring the wine tasting to home by picking up a few bottles you’ve wanted to try and doing a wine tasting with your nearest and dearest.
20. Play a Scavenger Hunt
Get competitive with a creative scavenger hunt. Hide small bottles of alcohol around your party venue and have guests solve riddles to uncover their location. Or create a “Happy 21st birthday” theme by requiring players to find 21 different “happy” items like Giga Pets, Barbies, Beanie Babies, and friendship bracelets.
21. Rock Out at a Concert
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Modern Modcloth Invitation
Get your groove on with a 21st birthday celebration at a concert. You’ll need to get tickets well in advance for a major headliner so make sure you plan ahead. If that’s not your jam, invite your closest friends to a smaller venue to rock out to local musicians.
Go Big for Your 21st Birthday
Becoming a 21-year-old is a big moment. You’re an adult, making your own decisions, and living your best life! What’s not to celebrate? Party in style with one of these fun 21st birthday party ideas.
Need more help pulling off the perfect celebration? Continue browsing our Stationers blog where you’ll find party themes, decoration ideas, and games to keep the fun going.
Send out 21st birthday invitations to your guests that will have them counting down the days until your event. Here’s to you!
