18 Unique 50th Birthday Party Themes that Guests Will Remember

New Orleans, LA

Jazz Fest is the perfect time of year for a milestone birthday party in New Orleans; the city has an especially festive vibe during the yearly music festival. Guests at this private birthday celebration not only explored the southern city, but dined al fresco and enjoyed creative entertainment, before partying all night on Frenchmen Street. 

New Orleans, LA

Studio 54 was the epitome of 70s-era cool, with stars flocking to the nightclub to drink and boogie the night away. We appreciate how this party recreates that disco decade glam with inspired décor, like ceilings and walls covered in geometric silver balloons and Warhol-esque installations and performers.

New York City, NY

A subterranean New York club is the perfect setting for a dance-all-night celebration for a music lover. Painted rabbits roamed the venue, while guests boogied on the dance floor all night long. And when it comes to making any party more festive, we absolutely love a good confetti drop — oh, and late-night passed sliders and a food truck visit doesn’t hurt either.

Los Angeles, CA

With a wooded setting and a bar dressed up as a rock ‘n’ roll-style graffitied van, this 50th birthday party theme has the feeling of a secret concert. The Queen tribute band had guests on their feet while low lighting and string lights offered just the right amount of musical moodiness. We also love the custom dance floor.

Washington, D.C.

This birthday girl’s 50th featured a chic, modern scene — drenched in purple hues. There are so many elements we adore, that we can’t fit them all here: that wow entrance with its enveloping lavender uplit draping; the hanging mini mirrors as place cards; the sparkling linen and exquisite place settings — and the list goes on.

Westlake Village, CA

We would describe this beautiful celebration as sparkling, glittering, and any other shimmery adjective you can come up with. Its dual hues flowed from an awesome balloon installation to the tabletops, with their red rose centerpieces and gold chargers, and even onto the cake — see more photos to ogle this ode to iconic fashion and world travel.

Miami, FL

This citrus-inspired celebration started its theming with invitations boasting bright fuschia and yellow hues accented with delicate florals and images of lemon slices. Guest enjoying dining at color-filled tabletops in the form of sunny florals in towering arrangements and lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange colors. We adore how sliced and whole lemons joined the blooms in a fresh take on décor.

Malibu, CA

We love the mix of patterns that amp the personality of this chic affair. On-trend black accents  in the form of striped runners and chairs offset the pops of red and pink florals that ran down the tables’ centers. Hot pink napkins continued the color story.

Boston, MA

It’s time to put your boogie shoes on. This disco 50th birthday party theme brought everyone to the rainbow-lit dance floor. But first, guests enjoyed a lavish meal at mirrored tabletops with custom disco ball-round menus.

Click to see how personalized, laser cut mirror place cards and chic black seating made for a sophisticated dining experience — with a hint of Saturday Night Fever. Make sure to stay for a glimpse of the 50th birthday cake with an icing replica of the birthday girl. You have to see it to believe it.

Winter Park, FL

Every detail of this thoughtful celebration was inspired by the guest of honor. Rather than a guestbook, everyone left their well wishes and loving messages on vinyl from the celebrant’s favorite album. Instead of a flight, guests were treated to a re-creation of Italy in Florida. True to the romantic locale being evoked, this garden celebration featured colorful florals and fresh fare.

Los Angeles, CA

This chic soirée featured dreamy white candlelight and alabaster calla lilies against the backdrop of a stunning, sprawling, sparkling Los Angeles city view. Gray velvet chairs and lounge areas added to the modern elegance. We love the inspired touch of photographic prints of the birthday boy’s face on sticks for fun photo ops. 

New York City, NY

What do you get when you take a couple from Germany who live in Mexico and bring them — and their international friends — to New York? A fun, food-filled weekend. We would have loved to have been a passenger on this party bus, making stops for Brooklyn’s best bites before ending in Manhattan’s meat-packing district for a dinner party.

Los Angeles, CA

For a diamond- and champagne-loving 50-year-old, a Hollywood penthouse created the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous celebration, offering dramatic views of the sparkling hills at sunset. We love how the theming was carried to the cocktails with giant diamond ice cubes and onto the custom gold mirrored dance floor that was almost too pretty to dance on (almost).

Marrakesh, Marrakesh-Safi, MAR

Most celebrations feel like a vacation from the everyday, but this affair was truly an escape — a weekend in Marrakech, Morocco. A dreamy entrance flanked by hundreds of candles led guests into an architecturally stunning space uplit in vibrant red. We adore how the mirrored tabletops reflected and multiplied the vision.

New York City, NY

Yet another way to experience the grandeur of New York is by rooftop — surrounded by the very skyscrapers that made the city famous. We appreciate how guests were seated at one long table to enjoy toasts and each other, as well as the picturesque outdoor fountain and sculpted topiaries.

Miami, FL

Sometimes life really is all moonlight and roses. This surprise 50th birthday party dazzled guests with red and gold details. A ceiling installation of suspended red roses and orbed lighting crowned lavish tablescapes that featured ornate gold seating and satiny red napkins.

We also love the personalized dance floor — not to mention, the luxe lounge area with red velvet and gold metal elements. Best of all? A red velvet structure turned the birthday cake into an unforgettable photo op. Click to see more here.

Miami, FL

This double milestone birthday party — celebrating a 21st and a 50th — proved that music can bridge the generational gap. We love the play on words, with band UB40 playing live and t-shirt, hats, and more swag emblazoned with “UB21” and “UB50.” The luxe lavender lighting created a club vibe.

New York City, NY

Aqua hues flowed from tabletops to walls adorned in immersive projection mapping images. Navy velvet lounge areas provided luxurious gathering spots for guests of this double milestone party, celebrating a 50th and a 60th birthday. We love how bright white florals pop against the gorgeous monochromatic blue scheme.

Pompano Beach, FL

Tables covered in deep-red velvet and topped with crimson roses were the perfect backdrop for glamorous rose gold accents. We love the shimmer of the sequined rose gold cocktail tables and the custom bar in the same hue. Don’t miss the carved ice display and the fun cake with a likeness of the birthday girl in tree pose atop its turquoise icing — and gold candles, of course. 

Bridgehampton, NY

This Rock ‘n’ Roll-themed celebration rocked it through an entire weekend with a Friday night fantasy welcome party followed by a tented affair on Saturday. We adore the attention to detail like the seating by band name and the custom-designed concert tickets that each guest received. 

New York City, NY

This birthday girl celebrated her milestone alongside family, friends, and a great cover band playing her favorite Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, and Beatles tunes. A black, white, and red color scheme was carried through every chic detail, from the clever quote-printed napkins to the wow-worthy custom cake we can’t stop talking about.

Boston, MA

This 50th birthday party was inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend” scene in the movie “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” The tented affair was the perfect combination of a red carpet moment and 50s-era glamour. Crystals and chandeliers brought a diamond aesthetic to the beautifully-draped tent.

Boca Raton, FL

“James Bond” is short-hand for all things cool and classy, so it makes perfect sense to take an icon of manhood as celebration inspiration. We appreciate the attention to detail that went into elements like a bar constructed entirely of ice, hanging crystals, red uplighting, and, of course, Bond-worthy girls clad in bikinis to feté the guest of honor.

San Diego, CA

John Hughes captured the angst of a generation with his movies, and Pretty in Pink was an iconic flick for teens everywhere. We love all of the ways the party theme was expressed, from the recreation of a high school prom (complete with guests donning 80s-style prom dresses) to the florals, table décor and more in all hues of pink. 

Los Angeles, CA

The force was strong at this 50th birthday party, indeed. Sputnik overhead lighting transformed dinner into a cosmic (not to mention, gorgeous) dining experience. Moreover, click to see how Star Wars figurines accompanied each personalized place card.

While you’re enjoying this outdoor birthday bash, you’ll find so much more than just Star Wars décor. We’ll give you a hint: There’s Andy Warhol prints, Lego jello shots, and a lavish balloon entrance installation.

Beverly Hills, CA

Both as a novel and movie, 50 Shades of Grey took the world by storm. We love how this celebration brings a personalized twist to this popular series with a “50 Shades of Gigi” birthday party theme. The birthday gal Gigi celebrated her birthday in luxe style with al fresco dining and dramatic views of Los Angeles.

Discover some of our favorite elements from this memorable celebration. You’ll find custom birthday gift boxes for guests, pj party favors with personalized embroidered pockets, masquerade photo props, and so much more.

Tucson, AZ

COVID-19 couldn’t stop this 50th birthday party from being a stunning and memorable event. If anything, the era of social-distancing has forced event professionals to get creative. We love how this backyard bash features custom face masks, temperature checks, and a touchless photo booth.

Click to see other creative elements like margarita icy pops, succulent décor, individually-wrapped catering, and a late-night movie screening.

Bridgehampton, NY

As guests entered this micro backyard birthday party, they were greeted by masked staff with trays of face masks and branded hand sanitizer bottles. From there, friends and family made their way to the al fresco dining table where they were able to enjoy custom place settings and picturesque pool views.

Discover how the party continued with pill bottle treats and masked marching band-style entertainment. You won’t be disappointed.  

Chicago, IL

This 50ish birthday celebration took the colorful style of pop art as its inspiration and built a totally memorable party around it. From the bright graphics and bold colors, this party featured surprises at every turn (including the fireworks that ended the night).