35th Birthday Ideas: 35 Ways to Celebrate This Milestone
Turning 35 is a special moment — one that requires a celebration! Whether you’re looking for something low-key and simple or want to go all out with an over-the-top bash, we’ve put together some of our favorite 35th birthday ideas to help you make the most of your special day.
Fun and Festive 35th Birthday Ideas
Whether you’re planning your own celebration or you’re a friend or family member who’s organizing the big day, these 35th birthday party ideas are a great place to start. Be sure to check out our party planning checklist to set yourself up for success. We’ve also included some digital invitations to match specific birthday party ideas.
1. Hit the Road
Road trip! It’s always nice to have a change of scenery. One of the easiest ways to do that is with a road trip. Head to the mountains for some fresh air, drive to the beach to relax and unwind in the sand, or plan a trip to the big city for a night on the town. Remember, it’s about the journey, not the destination, so feel free to be spontaneous and change course along the way — those unexpected moments are often the ones we remember most.
2. Relax at a Spa
Design: Jen Montgomery
Invitation Inspiration: Manis & Mimosas Invitation
You’ve made it to 35 — you deserve some time to relax and unwind. Plan a spa day birthday with your friends or go solo if you’re in the mood for some quality “me” time. Schedule a massage, manicure, pedicure, or facial and rejuvenate in style. If budget is a concern, you can always turn this idea into an at-home DIY spa day replete with face masks, hair masks, fragrant candles (aromatherapy!), soothing music, spa water, and mimosas.
3. Try a New Hobby
Trying new things not only makes life more exciting but it’s also good for your health. Make a list of what interests you and then break it down into easy, actionable steps. Maybe you want to take an art class, try a new sport, learn how to swim, or get into something quirky like ham radio. The great thing about this 35th birthday idea is that you can enjoy it throughout the entire year or change it up as often as you like.
4. Throw a Retro Party
Reaching your mid-thirties doesn’t mean you’re old, but you’ve certainly accrued a few decades. So why not throw it back to the “good old days” and host a retro party? You can opt to relive some of your favorite moments with a 90s theme party or take it way back with an 80s theme party or even a 1920s Great Gatsby celebration.
5. Go Wine Tasting
Design: Raven Erebus
Invitation Inspiration: Classic Wine Country Invitation
Cheers to turning 35! Grab your besties and enjoy a wine-tasting adventure. If heading to wine country isn’t practical, consider a local restaurant or wine bar with an impressive wine list. Alternatively, you can host your own wine-tasting party and serve some of your favorites. For a special party favor, have wine glasses etched with your guests’ names.
6. Host a Masquerade Party
Ready to go glam for the big 3-5? Host a swanky masquerade party and have fun dressing up in fancy costumes and glitzy masks. Whether you’re considering a Venetian ball, Mardi Gras theme, or black tie affair, be sure to set up a photo booth so you and your guests can capture the moment.
7. Host a Garden Brunch
Celebrate this special time in your life with a fabulous garden party. Invite your nearest and dearest for a laid-back yet elegant soiree in a lovely garden of your own or someone you know. (You could also select a garden venue at a museum or botanical garden, if available.) Serve a variety of savory and sweet delights and don’t forget the bubbly. Party decorations are easy, just set out gorgeous floral arrangements on your tablescapes and let the natural surroundings do the rest.
8. Grill and Chill with a Backyard BBQ
For a very happy 35th birthday celebration, fire up the grill and host the ultimate backyard party. Whether you’re cooking up sausages and burgers or steaks and potatoes, this birthday idea is perfect for summertime. You can also level up the festivities with plenty of outdoor party games.
9. Take Your Chances With a Casino Party
Design: 2birdstone
Invitation Inspiration: Destiny Invitation
If you want to indulge your high roller fantasies, why not host a casino theme party? You can take this 35th birthday idea in a number of directions, from a James Bond theme to a Vegas-inspired soiree. Set up card tables for poker and blackjack as well as other game stations such as roulette and craps. You could also consider having live entertainment and a photo booth with plenty of fun props.
10. Make a Meal with Loved Ones
Get in touch with your inner chef and invite your loved ones over for a night of cooking. You can hire a private chef to teach you how to make a dish or have each person bring along their favorite recipe for you to make together. Conversely, if you don’t want to make a mess at home, host your birthday party at a venue where you can take a cooking class.
11. Host a Competitive Game Night
Design: Tennie & Co
Invitation Inspiration: Game On Neon Invitation
Whether you’re a fan of digital party games, classic board games, or both, gather your favorite people for the ultimate adult game night. Have plenty of snacks and drinks on hand, and before the big day, you can order silkscreened T-shirts for each player (or team, depending on the game), which make for fun keepsakes after the event.
12. Plan a Movie Night
For your 35th birthday party, host a movie night where you binge-watch your favorite shows or films. Serve popcorn, movie theater candy, and nachos. For more fun, you can ask guests to attend as their favorite character or actor.
13. Party on a Boat
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Deep Blue Sea Invitation
Catamaran, pontoon, yacht, or sail boat? Whatever suits your fancy, it’s a great time to set sail and celebrate the new year to come. If you’re an adventurous soul, you can combine the boat party with scuba diving or deep sea fishing.
14. Enjoy a Fun and Frilly Afternoon Tea
Host a whimsical afternoon tea party with friends and serve a variety of loose-lea teas, delicate finger sandwiches, pastries, and mini cupcakes. For extra flair and elegance, ask guests to don their favorite Downton Abbey looks that would make the Dowager Countess of Grantham proud.
15. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Get guests in on the birthday fun by planning a scavenger hunt. You can limit the route to your own backyard or have guests head into the city to find things like a breakfast diner and a wine shop.
16. Plan a Pizza Party
Pizza parties aren’t just for kids. Celebrate your 35th birthday at your favorite pizza parlor or host a DIY pizza party at home with artisanal toppings like goat cheese, figs, almond ricotta, and prosciutto. To wash it all down, pair your favorite pies with top-shelf wines, brews, and mocktails.
17. Lounge with a Pajama Party
Design: Kate Ross Design
Invitation Inspiration: Starry Pajama Party Invitation
Cozy up with the ones you love most and host a pajama party for your 35th birthday. Make it glam with silk pajamas or go for warm comfort with flannel. Either way, hosting a slumber party never goes out of style and you can incorporate other activities from themes like movie night, spa day, and game night.
18. Take an International Trip
Splurge with a luxurious 35th birthday gift to yourself by taking the trip of a lifetime. Perhaps you dream of jetting off to famous cities like Paris and Rome or embarking on a nature adventure like a safari in Africa or snorkeling in Fiji. This idea is also great for celebrating a wedding anniversary or another milestone like a 40th birthday.
19. Go Camping
Get back to nature with a camping trip in your local mountains or a national park. Hike and bike through spectacular scenery and end the day around a campfire with the ones you love — and don’t forget to make a campfire cake!
20. Take a Cruise
Celebrate your special day by going on a cruise ship. These trips are fairly easy to plan since they’re all-inclusive and offer plenty of food, drinks, and activities on board. All you really need to do is set your budget, decide where you want to go, and enjoy your time on the open seas.
21. Go on a Yoga Retreat
Design: Loree Mayer Design
Invitation Inspiration: Trip Around the Sun Invitation
Take time to focus on yourself this year with a birthday yoga retreat. Whether your getaway is one day or several nights, this is a wonderful way to center yourself so you can make the most of your next trip around the sun.
22. Hit the Floor at a Dance Club
Can’t stop, won’t stop! Put on your dancing shoes and invite your besties for a fun night on the town. Pick one of your favorite nightclubs or plan the event on a night when the dance spot plays your favorite tunes. You could also book a car service so you and your pals can have a toast without worry about driving.
23. Have Fun at an Amusement Park
Act like a kid again with a trip to an amusement park. Even if you can’t make it to Disneyland or other major venue, you can still have fun at a local fair or carnival depending on the timing of your birthday.
24. Throw a Beach Bash
A beach bash is perfect for summertime birthdays when you can soak up the sun and honor your special day with good vibes. Don’t forget the boogie boards and bring along a few birthday decorations like balloons to celebrate.
25. Make Crafts
Get crafty and spend the day making something unique with your favorite people. You can choose to knit a blanket, make a wood and epoxy table, or paint a self-portrait. Get friends in on the fun with a paint-and-sip event.
26. Host a Black and White Party
Design: Robinson Creative House
Invitation Inspiration: Oil and Charcoal Invitation
Celebrate in style with an elegant black-and-white party. Ask guests to don their best attire and rent out an upscale event space for your event. Create DIY party decorations in black and white hues including balloon arches and glittery welcome signs. Opt for fancy centerpieces featuring black vases and white florals to match the theme.
27. Go for an Adrenaline Rush
Step outside your comfort zone with an adventurous activity that’ll get your adrenaline going like nothing else. From skydiving and paragliding to windsurfing and parasailing, choose something that excites and emboldens you for the next year ahead.
28. Host a Karaoke Night
As a 35-year-old, it’s time to release your inhibitions and let your voice be heard. So why not belt out your favorite songs with an epic karaoke night? Raise the stakes by making it a competition or just be silly and have fun singing your favorite songs — even if it does sound like nails on a chalkboard!
29. Throw a Costume Party
For a funny birthday idea, host a costume party where you ask guests to dress up as their idol or favorite historical character. For a fun 35th birthday twist, ask guests to dress as a famous 35-year-old celebrity.
30. Host a Moonlit Dinner
Design: Pedaller Designs
Invitation Inspiration: Stellar Celebration Invitation
For a special birthday gift idea, plan a romantic moonlit dinner for your loved one who’s turning 35. You can make reservations at a Michelin-starred restaurant or set up a romantic spread on your patio, at the lake, or anywhere that has special significance for the two of you.
31. Splurge on a Gift
If you’ve had your eye on a particular item for a long time but couldn’t bring yourself to buy it, now might be the time to make it a 35th birthday gift to yourself. Perhaps it’s a piece of jewelry or maybe it’s an electronic device. While material things aren’t what matter most, it feels good to treat yourself every now and then. After all, you only turn 35 once!
32. Plan a Picnic
If you prefer to keep things simple, consider a classic picnic birthday celebration. Pack a bag with travel-friendly bites like salami, cheese, and veggies, and don’t forget the blanket, cutlery, and birthday cupcakes. Bring along a bottle of fine wine or craft beer to toast the 35-year-old’s special day.
33. Volunteer
For a truly special way to usher in your 35th birthday, consider giving back to the community by volunteering. You can spend time raising money for the local fire department or work with a community resource center to make a difference in someone’s life. It just so happens that when you give back, it’s also good for you.
34. Throw a Parisian Party
Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC
Invitation Inspiration: Paris Cafe Invitation
Can’t make it to Paris? No problem. You can bring Paris to you by hosting a Parisian-themed soiree. Along with a meal filled with French wines and classic dishes like ratatouille and potatoes au gratin, you can enjoy a variety of activities like Eiffel Tower ring toss and flower arranging crafts. Ooh la la!
35. Get Down at a Disco Party
Put on your dancing shoes and boogie the night away with a disco celebration. This idea pairs perfectly with a 70s theme party where everyone can wear hilariously funky outfits (think platform heels and polyester everything). As for party decorations, you can’t go wrong with a giant disco ball, neon lights, and shimmering balloons.
Find the Perfect Invite For Your 35th Birthday Ideas
With these 35th birthday ideas, you’re sure to find a way that makes you happy to celebrate with the ones you love. Once you’ve decided on a party idea, it’s time to pick out the birthday invitations.
With digital invitations from Greenvelope, you’ll find hundreds of designs for all types of parties, making it easy to choose the perfect one for your party theme. Each invitation is fully customizable so you can change the font, color scheme, and design to suit your preferences. Here’s to a very happy birthday!
