15 Creative Adult Party Ideas for a Memorable Bash
Growing up doesn’t mean that fun party themes have to stop. If anything, you now have even more freedom to plan and stage the kind of celebration you’ve always dreamed about. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for a birthday bash, bachelorette party, or engagement soiree, there’s no end to the amazing birthday party themes or event ideas you could try. Here’s a collection of our most-loved adult party ideas to get the party started.
1. Dinner Party
Design: Claudia Owen
There’s a reason why dinner parties remain a classic adult birthday party idea. Namely, they’re a lovely way to gather your best friends for delicious food, conversation, laughter, and memorable moments.
Invite your party guests over to your home for a hosted dinner party, or head to your favorite local restaurant for a private dining experience. Stick with a classic menu filled with your favorite foods, or opt for a themed dinner party around a movie or TV show for something a little more unusual.
2. Game Night
Design: Olive and Me
Get your controllers at the ready! Game nights are increasingly popular as a way to celebrate with friends — especially for milestones like 30th birthdays and engagement parties. You get to spend the evening playing your favorite video games and enjoy some fast-paced competition with your besties too.
What’s great about a game night party is that you can really make it your own. Invite friends over for a casual night of card games and beer, or host an epic celebration at a retro arcade bar in town.
3. Disney Themed Party
Design: Raven Erebus
You’re a grown-up now, but that doesn’t mean you don’t still enjoy that nostalgic charm of Disney. If you’re a huge Disney fan, why not throw a birthday celebration themed around your favorite movie or characters?
This is a great excuse to get dressed up and immerse yourself in that world of make-believe. Go heavy on the theming with matching decor, cupcakes, party games, and party favors. Or keep it simple and create your own twist on a movie-inspired celebration — think an ocean-themed party inspired by “The Little Mermaid.”
4. Luau
Patrice Horvath Design
Want to make the most of gorgeous weather? Gather your friends and family for a fun-packed summer party inspired by Hawaiian luaus.
Transform your outdoor space into an island paradise with beachy decor, palm trees, torches, and plenty of florals. Go all out with entertainment for your guests, including live music, dancers, and performers. If that’s not in your budget, you can still have plenty of fun with outdoor party games.
5. Sleepover Under the Stars
Design: Paper Raven Co.
There’s something extraordinary about watching the stars on a clear night. Recreate that experience and add in tons of fun with a sleepover under the stars for your next birthday party.
Ask your closest friends to meet you somewhere outside the city with a great view. Set up camp and enjoy all those camping classics like roasting s’mores, sing-alongs, and long talks around a bonfire. Finish the night by falling asleep under a starry sky.
6. Bowling Night
Design: Loree Mayer Design
Bowling parties might be a kid’s birthday party classic, but they’re perfect for adult get-togethers too. It’s a game that most of us have played before, and it’s always a laugh watching the other team give it a go.
Swap your sneakers for bowling shoes and challenge your friends to see who can get the highest score. No matter which team wins, you’re sure to strike a high note with this fun adult party idea.
7. Cocktails and Canapes
Design: O’Neal Designs
Upgrade your standard get-together this year for a decidedly adult experience of cocktails and canapes. This after-hours soirée is a fun way to add a touch of glam to a 60th birthday celebration, engagement party, or bachelorette party.
Invite your nearest and dearest for a night of bubbly, classic cocktails, and delicious appetizers. Take some pressure off yourself and hire a team of servers to host your evening. You’ll have more time to chat with guests and immerse yourself in the moment.
8. Outdoor Adventure Day
Design: Signature Greenvelope
There’s a lot of love lately for spending time in nature, which is why outdoor adventures are so popular as a birthday party and bachelor or bachelorette party idea. It’s a chance to spend a few hours exploring the great outdoors in the company of those you love.
What’s great about an active party is that there’s so much choice. Ask friends to join you on a leisurely hike or lake swim followed by a picnic or BBQ. You could even customize a digital invitation to invite your friends for the most daring outdoor adventure of all — skydiving!
9. Murder Mystery Party
Design: Claudia Owen
Surprise your crew by inviting them to an action-packed murder mystery event. Jump into a world of mystery, suspense, and quick thinking to see who can identify the murderer first.
Ask your guests to dress up in their most elegant clothing, or get creative with theme ideas and stage one inspired by your favorite era or sci-fi series. Take a hosted challenge at a spooky venue in your local area, or have a go at hosting your own at home. Not sure how? Try this guide on how to create your own DIY murder mystery game.
10. Karaoke Night
Design: Claudia Owen
Get in touch with your inner rock star and hit the stage for a fun-filled night of karaoke, drinks, and laughter.
Perfect for a birthday party, retirement party, or just because, karaoke is always a riot. Head to your local karaoke bar or bring the entertainment to your doorstep with an at-home karaoke setup. Recreate that party atmosphere with shining lights, disco balls, and cozy seating for your party guests.
Take turns singing party classics or team up and play against each other on a karaoke challenge party game. Pair your karaoke night with a photo booth for some fun photos you can laugh at years from now.
11. Hollywood Party
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Treat your guests to a touch of Hollywood glamour with one of the most decadently themed adult party ideas. What better way to celebrate a milestone birthday, New Year’s Eve, or new business launch than with a glitzy A-list get-together?
Style your venue with plenty of golden touches, a red carpet, and even a photographer to capture guests as they arrive. Hire live entertainment or simply play your favorite Hollywood film. Don’t forget to ask your guests to arrive in their most red carpet-worthy outfit or costumes inspired by their favorite movie character.
12. 90s Slumber Party
Sometimes all we want is to sit back, relax, and pamper ourselves. Swap cocktail dresses and suits for pajamas and onesies with this fun birthday party throwback.
Invite your closest friends to a sleepover at your place, complete with all the slumber party classics like popcorn, birthday cake, candy, donuts, and face masks. This is one of the best adult party ideas for those who love to catch up with friends while binge-watching 90’s rom-coms.
13. Retro Roller Disco
Design: Signature Greenvelope
Ready to surprise your friends with a modern take on an old classic? Take it all the way back to the 70s and throw an amazing retro roller disco party.
This is one of those adult party ideas that you’ll need to rent a venue for, but it’s well worth it. Get those rollerskates on, perfect your playlist, and prepare to dance and skate the night away. You could even ask for song suggestions when you send out your email invitations.
14. Mini Festival
Design: Septembre Papeterie
Every now and then you’ll have one of those years where there’s something huge to celebrate. Mark the moment in style by throwing your own mini-festival — complete with live music, great food, and plenty of atmosphere.
The key to any great festival is the entertainment, so make sure you have the budget (and time) to make it happen. Create a fun schedule with music, dance, comedy, and even a live cook-along, and send it out with your party invitations. Keep your guests fed and watered with local food trucks serving up burgers, pizza, beer, mixed drinks, and ice cream.
15. Backyard Brunch
Design: Nikki Levine
Brunches are an all-time classic option for bridal showers, baby showers, and family reunions, but they’re perfect for almost any kind of grown-up get-together. Who doesn’t love a late breakfast in a relaxing setting, after all?
If the weather’s great, take brunch out to your backyard. Decorate the space with a long communal table, bunting, garland, and plenty of flowers. Think of it as a whimsical tea party, only with waffles, eggs, and mimosas instead of tiny sandwiches and cakes.
Throw Your Next Party in Style With These Fun Adult Party Ideas
There’s no denying the excitement around planning and hosting a party, but it can also be tricky to find the right theme. Take inspiration from these adult party ideas to help you plan the perfect celebration for the next big moment in your life.
