It's here. Again. There are plenty of reasons to love your birthday. Thoughtful gifts, doting words from loved ones, the fact that everyone at work has to be nice to you. Not among those reasons is the daunting responsibility of figuring out how you're going to celebrate it. As chill as I'm sure you'd like to be about the whole thing, this is a significant occasion that deserves significant acknowledgment—and therein lies the mounting pressure as the day approaches!
I personally hate my birthday—I get all up in my head about getting old and anxious about whether the day was "special" enough—so I like to have a schedule packed full of fun activities so I don't have a spare second to overthink things. If you're like me, or if you actually love your birthday and want to do it up right, then you've come to the right place, because we've compiled a list of 50 very fun and enriching things to do on your DOB. Think: scoring freebies from your favorite stores, getting that piercing/tattoo/haircut you've been considering, or throwing a themed party your friends will be talking about until next year rolls around.
Scroll down for all the party inspo, sweet birthday angel, and start planning a day that's all about the care and keeping of Y-O-U. (In a chic, pampering way. Not in a traumatizing middle school health class way.)
Get alllll the free sh*t.
If you've been on TikTok in the past couple of years, you've definitely come across a "come with me to get my birthday freebies" haul. Obviously you'll need to hit Sephora to cash in on your free makeup gift, but don't sleep on Auntie Anne's for a free pretzel, IHOP for a free stack of pancakes, and Subway for a free 6″ sub and cookie. (Editor's note: make sure you sign up for the rewards programs for these places ASAP to make sure you get the goods.)
Pop that good bottle.
You know, the one that you've been saving on your bar cart for a special occasion? There's no better time than now to crack 'er open.
Use up those gift cards you've been hoarding.
Chant with me now: Shopping spree! Shop-ping spree! Locate all the gift cards your grandma gave you last Christmas, and get your capitalism on. Is there anything sweeter than spending money without anything coming out of your bank account? I think not.
Get yourself a cake.
If I were you, I'd make it an ice cream cake...and then eat it all solo. You can also bake your own cake, no shame in that. As long as you have some sort of dessert to stick a candle in, that's what really matters.
Visit a psychic.
Another trip around the sun is in the past...now don't you wanna see what's in your future? Rally your friends and go find out what you have to look forward to by visiting a psychic. And JFYI, it doesn't have to be too serious. In the words of Abby Lee Miller, we're all gonna have FUN!
Treat yourself to a spa treatment.
Aching muscles? Massage. Breaking out? Facial. Toenails that probably shouldn't see the light of day? Pedicure. Pick your poison and prepare to spend the day in a fluffy white robe while being absolutely pampered.
Splurge on that accessory you've been eyeing.
There's definitely a bag that came to mind when you read the above sentence. As long as said purchase won't send you into financial ruin, then consider bringing it home with you. You deserve it, you chic thing, you.
Take the day off.
If your company doesn't already give you a day off for your birthday, use some of your PTO. No one, I repeat no one, should have to lift a finger on their Earth-entering anniversary.
Go to your favorite restaurant.
Pick a hot date (yah, even if it's just your mom) and make a reservation at the eatery you can never get enough of. Just make sure your dinner date tells the staff it's your birthday so you're treated extra special (free dessert, anyone?).
Go see a movie.
Simple pleasures are the greatest pleasure. Among those, is the freedom you feel while laughing and/or crying in the dark during a solo theater trip. If you want more of a party vibe, you can rent out a local theater for a private group screening of the hottest new release. (I'm still partial to the solo matinee, though).
Plant some seeds, (literally).
It'll feel pretty refreshing to pot a new plant on your DOB. The growth of that green guy throughout your new year will be pretty cool to witness, so consider a botanical birthday!
Take your friends to an escape room.
This is a lovely little bonding activity every time. Nothing will put you in a fit of laughter quite like being forced to problem-solve in a confined space for a few hours. I promise it's way more fun than it sounds.
Hit up a local fair or amusement park
An adrenaline-filled rollercoaster day will provide exactly the energy you want to kick off your new age. Plus those mid-ride photos will be timeless keepsakes.
Host a game night
UNO + red wine = an unforgettable time. That's birthday math. We're Not Really Strangers, Monopoly, and Cards Against Humanity are also strong contenders for your birthday festivities.
Host a scavenger hunt.
You can pick the location: a mall, a local park, hell, even your own home. From there, the items your guests are racing to find can be you-themed. For example, it can go: "Grab a box of [your name's] fave afternoon snack." This will really put your gang to the test.
Have a “24-hour party.”
Why not take full advantage of your special day? A dawn-to-dusk rager can include a slumber party, brunch, fancy dinner, and an after-party. Start brewing your coffee and gathering the troops.
Throw an adorable picnic.
There's not much that a day spent in the great outdoors can't fix. Especially with delicious bites to snack on. Set the mood with some charming decor. I'd say that securing a mini picnic table and a fun basket would be a great place to start.
Take a road trip with your crew.
Pop on your favorite playlist and hit the road! Driving with no destination in mind will find you in the craziest places (ever seen Cars?), so hop into ~explorer mode~ and get rolling.
Do a solo museum visit.
Use this day to reacquaint yourself with *all* the cool art or history in your city. Interestingly enough, a walk around a museum can ground you just as well as any given meditation—and thus save you from the bday spiraling.
Bliss out with a staycation.
Book a room for yourself at the bougiest hotel you can afford, and enjoy a night in with all the amenities. Take a bath, spread out on the king-sized bed, order room service, head to the in-house spa or restaurant, and revel in your newfound freedom. You can bring a friend for slumber party vibes, your S.O. if you wanna get romantic, or simply go solo for a perfectly peaceful night away from your responsibilities.
Hit up a Dave & Buster's.
No, really—kick it old school and embrace your inner kid with a day at your local arcade. You might just remember why you found it so darn fun in your single-digit years (and the junk food is always on point).
Use allll the self-care products.
Yes, even that expensive face mask. Now's the time to pamper yourself with all the products you bought this year but haven't put to good use. And if you didn't buy any? Time to hit Sephora, obviously (and cash in on that birthday treat while you're at it).
Throw a themed party.
Pajama party, '70s party, stereotypical slumber party, wig party...the options are truly endless. IMHO, everyone loves an excuse to don a costume, no matter how low-effort, so a theme party is iconic for all attendees.
Book a private karaoke room.
Grab a group of friends and prepare to sing like you're trying to get a golden ticket to Hollywood. It's your birthday, so no one can get mad if you hog the mic for an entire rendition of All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version). Pro tip: Choose a karaoke spot that's BYOB to save that $$$.
Take a hot girl walk.
Carve out a time in the day to throw on your sneakers and just walk. Use it as a time to reflect on the past year and all that you accomplished while getting those endorphins pumping for the rest of the day.
Write down your ~birthday resolutions~.
I'm not sure if I just made this up, but if I didn't, birthday resolutions should absolutely be a thing. After all, why should New Year's hog all the good vibes? Time to set those intentions, baby—you're not getting any younger. (Sorry, but it's true.)
Book a getaway.
Pick a city, any city! Or go all out and book a getaway to the one country that's forever been at the top of your bucket list. Nothing feels better than having a vacation on the horizon, so use your birthday as an excuse to get booking. Better yet, ask for an Airbnb gift card and use it to fund your next getaway.
Just like, don't stop eating?
If you're like me and have every meal planned approximately two meals ahead of time, then you might just want to spend your entire day bouncing from eatery to eatery. It's like barhopping, but without the hangover.
Go to therapy.
Okay, so maybe this isn't the most fun thing you can do on your birthday, but therapy can be life-changing and you deserve to invest in your mental health. If you've been meaning to sign up—or still haven't made that first appointment—there's no better day to get it done. New year (of life), new you.
Make a charitable donation.
Nothing feels better than helping those in need, no matter the day of the year. Use social media or word of mouth to let your friends and family know that you'll be donating to your favorite charity for your birthday, and that you'd love their support in lieu of gifts. Many platforms (like Facebook and Instagram) let you start a donation that others can add to, making it easy to pool funds for those in need.
Hit the pool. Any pool.
If you're a blessed Gemini/Cancer/Leo summer baby (or you live somewhere where the sun shines all year 'round) then you should definitely consider splish-splashing the day away. Don't have a pool? Try out Swimply, an underrated app that's basically like Airbnb for pools, and book a private swim sesh.
Play tourist in your own city.
No matter where you live, there's always something left to be explored. Hit up your nearest ~cultural capital~ and allow yourself to experience it through the eyes of a newbie. Visit that landmark you've never been to! Take that boat ride! Sign up for that walking food tour!
Go to IKEA.
Maybe this is just my idea of a great time, but really: IKEA is the party spot. It provides cheap and delicious food, entertainment for hours, and plenty of shoppable moments. What more can you ask for out of a good day?
Try a new recipe.
If cooking is something you enjoy, grab a big glass of vino and get creative in the kitchen. Better yet, track down that recipe you earmarked in your favorite cookbook ages ago and finally chef it up. If all else fails, order in your fave takeout and watch Top Chef reruns. It's basically the same thing.
Half Baked Harvest Cookbook: Recipes from My Barn in the Mountains
Sleep in (or honestly, don't even get out of bed).
If your ideal morning doesn't include an alarm, don't set one for the morning of your birthday. Let your body get the rest it deserves, at least one day of the year! And if you don't want to get up and moving after that? Don't. It's your day, and you can spend it beneath the sheets if you want to. Did somebody say breakfast in bed?
Give yourself a fancy mani.
Why not spend a whole two hours doing designs on your claws while sipping White Claws and watching TV? If it were me, I'd do a gel mani so it lasts (good thing you can master them at home now).
Redecorate your room.
It's a fresh new year of living and your bedroom might as well reflect that, right? Introduce some changes with new decor, a fresh paint color or wallpaper, the bedding you've been eyeing, or just some (easy! and! free!) furniture rearranging. Of course, if you need some ~aesthetic room ideas~ we've got all the inspo you could ever want.
Go on that date night you've been dreaming of.
Whether it's to the new restaurant that opened nearby, or the drive-in theater with a trunk full of pillows and snacks, it's time to live out that fun-night-out fantasy. The best part? You don't technically need a partner to take you out—a friend will do just fine.
Enjoy the great outdoors.
Leave the house and gulp that sweet, sweet fresh air while doing your favorite outdoor activity. (Swimming? Biking? Hiking? It's all up to you!) Unless you hate the outside, of course, because it's your birthday and you don't have to do anything you don't want to.
Host a pizza party.
Remember in elementary school when pizza day was the highlight of your week? Channel that energy by hosting a pizza party with your besties. Grab a few pies—either from the frozen section or with delivery!—and don't be afraid to prioritize all of *your* favorite toppings. It's your birthday, so if you like pineapple and anchovies, then your crew is just going to have to deal with it.
Get glammed up just because.
Dressing up in an outfit that makes you feel like a walking, talking fire emoji might as well be mandatory on your birthday. It's your world, we're just living in it. Don't wanna splurge on a fancy new 'fit? Gift yourself a fashion subscription to a company like FashionPass, Nuuly, or Rent the Runway for the month.
Make a video to commemorate your previous year.
Time to get real on your Reels (and show off all those pics you regretted not posting over the last 365 days). A lil slideshow, set to your fave song of the year, is a perfect way to remember what you did and how you grew since your last birthday...and also to remind people to wish you a HBD in the first place.
Start your day at midnight.
Your birthday only comes once a year, so you might as well take advantage of Every. Single. Second. You can stay up for 24 hours for a good reason, right?
Hire a photographer for a birthday photoshoot.
Remember when I told you to get all glam? Why not capture the moment by getting professional photos taken? I mean, you're going to need to post something to let people know it's your birthday, right? I love using Shoott, a site that connects you with local photographers for mini shoots—you can book a free 30-minute session and only have to pay for the shots you love. Alternatively, of course, you can always get a friend to start snapping with their trusty iPhone.
Get that tattoo/piercing/haircut you've been wanting.
Bite! The! Bullet! There's no better time, and you'll have a memory of your special day every time you look in the mirror. (Disclaimer: This does not apply to getting bangs. Bangs should never be a spontaneous decision.)
Go glamping.
Unplug and recharge with a getaway in the great outdoors. That's right, it's time to wear all those cute flannels in your closet and make all those s'mores! Oh, and don't worry—camping in your backyard absolutely counts.
Swirl some wine.
Perfect for big group celebrations, your local winery is a great place to swirl and sip the day away. You probably won't (slash shouldn't) buy your own drink while you're there, and the Insta-Birthday-Post opps will abound.
Do something that scares you.
Start this new trip around the sun with a bang—and remind yourself that you can do hard things. Pick a fear and conquer it, whether it be skydiving, rock climbing, ziplining, shark cage diving, or white water rafting.
Rent a limo.
Because your birthday is way more important than prom, and you're definitely going to need a chauffeur with all those drinks your friends are bound to buy you. Have it take you and your crew to a winery, concert, sports game, or book it for a night out on the town.
Lastly, call your parents.
You wouldn't be here celebrating if it wasn't for them, after all.
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.
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.
