12 Creative 40th Birthday Party Ideas On A Budget (2024)

A 40th birthday is a major milestone, so why not enter your fourth decade on Earth in style? Here are 12 creative 40th birthday party ideas on a budget that will make your party fun and memorable without breaking the bank.

Along with birthday party ideas, we’ll also share some amazing birthday party venues care of Peerspace. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals and makes it easy to find and book incredible spaces ideal for hosting your milestone birthday. Between these 40th birthday party ideas and your dream Peerspace venue, you’ll host an event befitting the occasion. Let’s get to it!

1. Host your party at a stylish outdoor event venue

Whether or not this 40th birthday party idea on a budget makes sense for you will depend on what time of year your birthday takes place–don’t plan to have your party outside unless the weather will be pleasant! But if it is, this can be a lovely and also affordable option. You can have your party at a local park or other public outdoor space without paying a cent to do so! If you’re more interested in a private gathering, use your own backyard (also free) or consider renting a venue.

You can find lots of outdoor venues available for under $100 per hour through Peerspace, the largest online marketplace for event venue rentals, where you can search for your party venue by the hourly price range in addition to tons of other criteria.

For instance, this Union Market rooftop garden in Washington, D.C. costs $100 per hour to rent and is a complete steal at that price, with “views of the NoMa and Union Market skylines” as well as “an edible garden with fruit trees and veggies,” a private cabana, and a dining table with seating for eight guests.

2. Have a birthday photoshoot party

Dress in your coolest outfit and gather your friends and loved ones together for a photoshoot in the location of your choosing to commemorate your 40th with plenty of great photos. You’ll love looking back on these, and with smartphones, just about anyone can be a photographer, so you don’t have to go to the trouble of hiring one unless you want to budget for that.

For 40th birthday party ideas on a budget like this, you’ll want to prioritize choosing the right setting since that will make a huge difference in the resulting photos.

3. Retro birthday party from your birth decade

Approaching your 40th birthday will have you reflecting quite a bit on the past and how you came to be where you are today. That’s why we love this 40th birthday idea on a budget: throw a retro party inspired by the decade when you were born! If you’re currently about to turn 40 then you were born in the 1980s, so consider throwing an 80s-themed party for a super-fun throwback.

For only $85 per hour, you can host your party in this 80s-perfect downtown LA pink neon loft! Imagine the looks on your guests’ faces when they enter this space!

Check out more of our decades party ideas to get some party-planning inspiration from all the most recent eras!

4. Retro birthday party from any decade

Perhaps you’re not a big fan of the 80s. That’s OK – we have an alternative 40th birthday party idea on a budget for you. Pick your favorite decade from the last century, whether that’s the 1920s, the 1940s, or the 1960s, and make that the central theme of your party.

If you love the 60s and 70s aesthetic and live in Baltimore, check out this 60s/70s retro-inspired content house. It is a 1,500-square-foot home with a kitchen, a patio, a balcony, and of course, room after room of curated retro splendor, all for just $99 per hour!

Be sure to ask your guests to dress in the most period-appropriate attire they can and look up specific suggestions for decor, food, and entertainment from the decade of your choice to make it a truly authentic retro soiree.

5. Theme it up and plan a murder mystery party

You don’t have to limit murder mystery parties to Halloween, even though they definitely have a spooky vibe! If this ultra-creative but still wallet-friendly party idea intrigues you, check out our guide to throwing a murder mystery party to get started.

6. Send out funny invitations

The best way to embrace turning 40 is with a sense of humor, and funny, even self-deprecating party invitations are a great way to do that from the outset.

For instance, these “OLD AF” birthday invites from Zazzle are sure to make your guests smile when they receive them in the mail.

7. Go camping instead of having a party

Maybe parties aren’t really your thing. No worries, because there are tons of alternatives that you and your friends will enjoy!

One of our favorite suggestions if you don’t feel like having a party and you’re the outdoorsy type is to go camping with your best buds. You can all spend hours sitting around a campfire reminiscing about your favorite memories and toasting marshmallows, and it doesn’t have to cost you anything at all if you already have the requisite camping gear.

8. Throw a surprise party for a loved one’s birthday

Perhaps you’re reading this not because you’re planning your own party, but because a friend or loved one has a 40th birthday approaching and you want to make it really special. A surprise party is one way to do this, and if it works, it’ll definitely be memorable.

Just make sure that the person you’re planning it for is someone who enjoys surprises because not everyone will be delighted by a bunch of people jumping out at them when they don’t expect it.

9. Barbecue party

This is another one that you can easily do in your own backyard (assuming you have one), but that still feels festive. If you don’t have a backyard with a grill, simply book a Peerspace that does. Plus, who doesn’t love the delicious smell and taste of barbecue?

Once you have the perfect spot to ‘cue, all you need are these fun adult outdoor party games to keep your guests entertained!

10. Throw a potluck to add a communal feel

This one may seem obvious, but if you hadn’t considered doing this, it’s a major budget hack. Ask all your guests to bring at least one dish, and you’ll have food completely covered. It’s not a major challenge for any one guest, yet the result will be a table covered in tons of different dishes made with love!

11. Host a karaoke party at home

Love to sing? It doesn’t matter if you have a great voice or if you’re tone-deaf. A karaoke party is an almost guaranteed blast. If you host it at your own home, the only cost will be the microphone/speaker or karaoke machine, which you should be able to rent rather than buy to save money.

12. Rent a multi-use space in its off-hours

One of the best ways to access a great space on a budget is by finding a space that normally has another function (such as a cafe, a restaurant, or a gallery) but can be rented as an event venue when not in use.

There are numerous such spaces on Peerspace, and they can provide incredible bang for your buck. For instance, this West Loop boutique event space in Chicago, IL. It is a 2,500-square-foot minimal event space with huge windows, high ceilings, and wooden floors. The host provides access to its kitchen, a pool table, and a freight elevator. We love how there’s so much space to work with here. Throw a dance party, hire a chef to cook a sumptuous dinner, or do whatever else you want that fits in your budget.

It’s only $69 per hour during the week, and to quote one positive review, “My Experience was ABSOLUTELY wonderful! I appreciate Krystal soooo much! She was so nice, helpful and supportive! We through my mom a surprise party and she made she everything was perfect fort the party! I highly recommend! The space is BEAUTIFUL! It fits whatever event you’re looking to have. 1000/100 I will definitely be booking again.”

40th birthday party ideas on a budget: conclusion

As you can see, just because you have to stick to a budget doesn’t mean you can’t throw an amazing 40th birthday. All you need are these 40th birthday party ideas on a budget and the perfect Peerspace party venue. You can easily book a stylish space on our platform that suits your price needs and that matches your style. And with many venues offering amenities like seating, A/V equipment, and indoor and outdoor space, it’s easy to save money by getting everything you want in one place.

Find unique birthday party venues on Peerspace