"Big" birthdays are absolutely a thing. The pressure to celebrate turning 19 doesn't at all match that leading up to 18. And 20? Forget about it. That's a new decade! The beginning of your adult youth! But if 18 is the Emmys, and 20 is the Golden Globes, that makes the 21st birthday the full-blown Oscars, baby.
Despite the many reasons to look forward to your 21st trip around the sun, some elements are sure to trigger some jitters. You've got to pick out the perfect birthday outfit, figure out which cute cocktail you're going to (legally) consume first, all of the things! This is why nailing down exactly how you want to celebrate the big day can be a bit taxing. There's the desire to make sure it's fun and memorable for you, but also enjoyable and brag-worthy for guests too. So! To ease the decision process, we've compiled a handy list of 21st-birthday party ideas that'll make you feel like absolute royalty.
We know that everyone likes to celebrate differently, so let the record show that there's something for everybody on this list. Looking to get wine-drunk and flash your license at every bartender? Or is your birthday tomorrow and you need a low-lift last-minute idea? Or are you looking to do something super unique and not at all cliché? All of those suggestions lie down below.
So if you're ready to pull off something memorable, check out 50 of the best, most photo-op-worthy 21st birthday ideas that'll have you coming of age in style. The choice is yours, birthday queen.
Adventurous Ideas
Host a themed costume party.
Who doesn't love a good excuse to play dress-up? Pick a fun theme (your fave TV show, a cool decade, the book series you loved as a kid, etc.) and go alllll the way out.
Sing your heart out at karaoke.
There's nothing that brings people together quite like a good karaoke sesh. I mean, just watch the first 10 minutes of High School Musical for further evidence.
Splurge on concert tix!
Maybe it's been a while since you went to a live music event! Maybe your very favorite artist is about to come to town! Maybe you just wanna drink and listen to some tunes (valid). If you time it right, you can bring all your BFFs and make a whole night out of it. And if you can finesse backstage passes, all the better!
Go sky-diving.
Attention adrenaline lovers! First off, teach me your ways. Secondly, find something that you and your (similarly-minded) buddies would love to do and just absolutely go all in on the experience. Like skydiving. You do only turn 21 once, after all.
Rent a party bus.
Parties are somehow 1000% more fun on wheels. Don’t ask me why. It’s just science.
Go to a roller disco.
Beyond the roller-skating activity itself, the aesthetic of disco feels so cinematic. Beyoncé’s “Blow” music video and Maddy’s backstory montage in Euphoria are some great reference points. Why not make 'em real life?
Ride some horses.
Former horse girls, you need not be ashamed. This may be an activity you haven't done since you were 10, but exploring a scenic trail or relearning old skills could be a fun time (so long as everyone's up for it). Alternatives: petting zoo, volunteering at a shelter, or just somehow getting your hands on some fluffy cuties.
Create a 21st birthday bucket list.
Have your friends drum up some out-there dares, write them out on a poster, and voila! You’ve got your activity list set for the whole damn night. (Make sure one of them says “raid the buffet.”)
Visit a theme park.
Rollercoasters, park food, and your besties? A guaranteed good time.
Take a road trip.
Are there any landmarks, restaurants, or hot spots that you've been dying to visit? Get a car (or RV if you're feeling frisky) with your friends and just drive! Don't forget the solid birthday playlist, though.
Take a pole dancing class.
This ability to work a pole has got to be the flex of all flexes. The core strength it requires...wild. So why not try a beginner’s pole dancing class? Bring some friends and get ready to test your endurance.
Do a scavenger hunt.
I can see it now: A boozy "you-themed" scavenger hunt at home. Challenge your friends to find specific items at your place, like your favorite snack or your go-to comfort outfit. The winner gets major bragging rights and/or the last slice of pizza.
Hit up an escape room.
All those in favor of banning corporate-bonding escape room events, say, “Aye.” All those in favor of reclaiming escape room events for fun 21st birthday parties, say, “Aye!”
Do a casino night.
A very classic 21st birthday party romp: casino night. Find a joint in your area (or plan a Vegas trip if you’re going all out), squeeze into an aughts-era bandage dress, and try your gambling luck.
Head to a burlesque show.
If you’re here for high drama and high glamour, check out a burlesque show. A bit tamer than a strip club but way more riveting than most acts on a stage.
Go bowling.
Reserve some lanes at your local bowling alley and have a ball. It's wholesome! It's fun! And it's super easy to plan.
Celebrate at an arcade.
Pac-Man, Dance Dance Revolution, and some pitchers of beer will 10,000 percent get the party started. Promise.
Pampering Ideas
Two words: spa day.
If you’re looking for indulgence in the name of self-care, a spa day is ideal. Line up all the services you’ve been craving: facial, steam room, mud bath, whatever—sorry, boss, you’re OOO!
Host a tarot-reading event.
Start collecting those crystals! You could be meditating, gifting each other customized gemstones, getting tarot readings, or a combo of all of the above. Just make sure they're speaking amazing intentions to you, the birthday queen.
Pretend you're on vacay.
Vacations can be expensive and sometimes more exhausting than enjoyable, so replicate the very same experience with a staycation. You know the drill: a day off work, a massage, touristy things, dinner at a place you've never been. Go all-in!
Take so many Polaroid pics.
Nothing says “I’m young and fun!” like snapping a bunch of photos with a nostalgia-inducing real-life camera. The morning after, arrange all the shots on a cute surface so you can share ’em on the gram.
Buy gifts for everyone.
Okay, yes, it is still basically all about you, but how fun would it be if all your friends swapped silly gifts, white elephant style! That way everyone can participate in the fun...with you getting the final say as the bday queen, ofc. We've got a whole list of 21st bday gift ideas if you're totally stumped about gifting (for you or anyone else)!
Book a hotel room or two.
Fun fact: Some hotels require you to be 21 to book a room with them. Treat yourself to this ~novelty~ and then order a boozy room service experience to imbibe in while surrounded by lots of decorations. Bar downstairs? Take all of your GFs later in the evening and make a night of it.
Dress up for no reason.
This could be in combination with a bunch of other events on this list, but giving each other makeovers and/or breaking out your best evening gown can either be an amazing precursor to a fancy night out, or just a fun at-home activity while making each other cocktails. Don't wanna blow all your birthday $$$ on a dress you'll never wear again because you broke the internet in it already? Rent something spectacular from a company like Nuuly or Fashionpass. (News flash: they both have lots of options from Selkie...and now's the perfect time to rock one.)
Foodie Ideas
Plan a cute picnic.
Now, this has got to be the most wholesome way to ring in your 21st year. Secure yourself an adorable picnic blanket and have your guests wear their best florals. Make sure everyone brings fancy baked goods for the full experience.
Share a big 'ole meal.
And yes I mean this in a literal sense: Fondue or shabu-shabu places let you sit over a big pot of warm delicious liquid and dip little morsels of food in it (also, it's not hard to replicate the same experience at home).
Host an adult tea party.
Whether you are a die-hard fan of The Crown, are obsessed with Meghan Markle, or just...love tea, this might be the cute bday outing you’ve been looking for. Many hotels hold high tea or you can stage the whole thing at home.
Hire a private chef.
Dealing with restaurant reservations can be a pain in the butt—especially if you're planning on celebrating with a big group. Instead, opt for hiring a private chef. It's not only way cooler and fancier (it's giving Kardashian family energy!), but you also don't have to leave the comfort of your home. And you still get the dinner experience you imagined without leaving your house! You and your friends will be feeling like A+ celebs after this one!
Get that fancy wine pairing.
Book a table at that fancy restaurant you’ve been dying to go to, and when they ask if you want the chef’s wine pairing, say absolutely, because you’re 21 and that’s what adults do.
Put on a murder mystery dinner.
Why have a regular ol' dinner when you can have a ~murder mystery~ dinner!! Here's what you gotta do: plan a faux murder (a trip through Google Search can help you with that), assemble your suspects, and form witty, tricky clues. On the day of, you can decorate with spooky decor to really set the scene. BTW: Don't forget to inform your suspects before the dinner happens!
Cryptic Killers Cryptic Killers Unsolved murder mystery game - Cold Case File Investigation - Detective clues/evidence - Solve The crime - for individuals, date nights & party groups - Murder of a millionaire
Laid-back ideas
Host a slumber party.
Granted, this will depend on the size of your place (so you might need to convince a bud with a big apartment to host this), but channel your inner middle school kid—minus braces—and have a fun night painting nails and watching rom-coms.
Seek out a view.
What's the tallest, most impressive building with a roof deck or bar in your area? Go there. While you're at it, take the most IG-worthy photos/videos possible so that everyone knows you had the coolest 21st birthday. Level-up alternative: Go sky-diving (as mentioned above) or bungee jumping. A view's a view, after all.
Get thrifting.
Shopping sprees are cool, but have you ever found the most luxe handbag at your local secondhand place and snagged it for a (relative) steal? Or the chicest jacket you're absolutely gonna wear on your next night out? Feel good about not contributing to the fast fashion problem while treating yourself to a well-deserved gift.
...or design your own clothes.
If you wanna tie-dye, really go for it with a sewing machine, or just chop your jeans into shorts, this is the moment. Ooh! Or! You can also do a clothing swap, where you and your pals trade items you don't need in your wardrobe anymore. (Beg your friend to bring that oversized blazer you keep stealing. Just this once? For your birthday?)
Throw a paint ’n’ sip party.
A paint 'n' sip class is an easy way to get wasted under the guise of art and friendship. So round up your typical Wine Down Wednesday crew and hit the studio.
Host a (friendly) roast.
Because there's nothing more entertaining than your loved ones all in one room, teasing you about the silliest things. There's no doubt people will be screaming and crying on the floor laughing during this!
Have a trivia night.
Put your friends to the test and see who knows you the best with a game of trivia all about you. Warning: It will get competitive!
Boozy Ideas
Go on a booze cruise.
Ask your pals to reserve tickets beforehand, then spend an afternoon watching sunsets, taking in the waves, and sipping cute cocktails, while looking even cuter.
Channel the year you were born with a Y2K Party.
Hello, early '00s! We missed you! (Well, we missed your fashion.) Having a Y2K party would be so trendy, since the looks have been back for a minute now, and you can always go out afterward looking, speaking, and acting like Paris Hilton.
Host the biggest 21-themed party ever.
Yes, yes, this is cliché, but how about some custom decorations that really push it over the top? Or an extra-as-hell *Roaring 20s* theme? Like, really lean in on the ridiculousness and fun so it's unforgettable.
Just have a girls’ day/night out.
Wait, you really thought this wouldn't be on the list? I'm never above a classic. But you can always spice it up with themed outfits, drinking games, or ~extra-special~ dinner and dessert options.
Go on a brewery tour.
As we all know, you’ve def never had a drink before tonight (...), so why not make your first one at a brewery with some friends? Many places offer small-group tours, so the party can double as a learning opportunity. The more you know, ya know?
Party at a hotel pool.
Book a cabana at your fave hotel pool and take in all the gorgeous views, beautiful people, and delicious small-batch cocktails. In a word: lux-ur-y.
Book a bottomless brunch.
Okay, we couldn’t not suggest a boozy brunch—frankly, it’s a rite of passage. Hunt around for the best deal, make that reservation, and hydrate.
Make all the Jell-O shots.
It's not the whole party, but it's a start. And they’re a ridiculously easy constant crowd-pleaser.
Visit wine country.
Grab your crew and plan a visit to a vineyard. Who doesn’t want to frolic in fields of grapes?
Take a mixology class.
Think of it as an informational session and a debutante ball for your now-of-legal-drinking-age self.
Throw a DIY personality cocktail party.
Gather your people and have them create one-of-a-kind cocktails based on your personality traits. For example, are you energetic? Perhaps someone can whip up a mixture with an energy drink. Or if you're sweet, one of your BFFs can make a fruity concoction. The more creative everyone is with their drinks, the more fun it'll be!
Organize a bar crawl.
Draw out a map of local bars and order them based on where you want to go first and so on. Add some spice to it by assigning certain shots you have to take at a particular bar.
Have a taco and tequila fiesta.
Set up a taco station with ingredients like tortillas, meat, cheese, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, and more so that people can just make their own, buffet-style. And another station with tequila-based bevs. Then voilà! (A piñata would make a fun addition too, IMO!)
Annabel Iwegbue is an assistant editor at Cosmopolitan where she primarily covers lifestyle and fashion. Before joining Cosmo, she covered entertainment at Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
