11 Unforgettable 50th Birthday Party Ideas (2024)

At Peerspace, we understand the importance of celebrating a milestone like a 50th birthday with style and flair. A 50th birthday is a significant occasion that deserves a truly memorable celebration. And we’ve compiled almost a dozen distinct 50th birthday party ideas as inspiration to mark such a landmark event.

Fortunately, there are so many ways to celebrate this milestone. Depending on the person, the event could call for a quiet get-together over a fancy dinner, an upscale soiree at a pop-up venue, or a rager at a chic new nightclub. (Hey, 50 is the new 21, right?)

No matter what your ideal 50th birthday party looks like, you can rely on Peerspace to find an unforgettable venue to make it happen. Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, connecting you with phenomenal event spaces in cities across the globe.

And in our opinion, your 50th birthday is the time to be extraordinary as it’s not just a regular birthday. With that in mind, be inspired by these 50th birthday party ideas. Then simply select the one (or more!) that best matches your personality, and get down with your bad self and your closest friends and family.

1. Book a Peerspace venue and get ready to celebrate

All over the world, folks are renting out their gorgeous spaces to revelers. Hosts on Peerspace provide clean and exciting venues ranging from mansions to production studios to private art galleries. Check out the options in your city and throw the event of a lifetime.

Along with having the ability to rent truly unique venues for any occasion you have in mind, what also sets Peerspace apart from other peer-to-peer rental services like Airbnb is its pricing structure. With a site like Airbnb, you pay by the day for a space (and the platform has banned parties anyway).

Peerspace can help you save money since you only pay for spaces by the hour, which is ideal for a birthday party.

So what types of spaces could you book for your 50th birthday bash? Here are some of our favorite options:

• This downtown private room in Baltimore, MD, with a bar, games, modular seating, a large-screen TV, and catering, all for just $50 per hour
• This beautiful BYOB event space in Chicago, IL, with an open layout, chic minimalist decor, a full kitchen, speakers, and an outdoor area for $50 per hour
• This large luxury private dining room in a casino in London, UK, with eclectic decor, on-site staff, tables, chairs, a projector, and menu selection for £150 per hour
• This modern transitional mansion in Los Angeles, CA, with a tropical backyard, a kitchen, a bar, a grand piano, and golf course views for $200 per hour
• This modern industrial loft in Ballard, situated in Seattle, WA, with a chef’s kitchen, a dining area, a lounge space, and a sound system for $225 per hour
• This charming loft in Little Italy, New York City, NY — pictured above, it comes with a chef’s kitchen, a dining area, a furnished outdoor patio, and a projector for $300 per hour

You get the picture! There are thousands of other Peerspace bookable venues where you can host a truly unforgettable 50th birthday party or any type of event. All spaces are owned by local hosts who strive to make your birthday everything you want it to be. Reach out to them through the venue’s listing page with any questions and requests, and they’ll be happy to help in any way that they can.

Amazing venues and personalized service? That’s what you can expect from Peerspace. It’s a surefire way to celebrate a 50th birthday that befits the milestone.

2. Get together at a private museum venue

Many museums have upscale private rooms dedicated to hosting events like birthday parties. So, if regal is the route you want to take for your soiree, you might consider calling local museums to see if they offer such a venue. Any museum will work, but you’ll earn bonus points by booking a specialized museum that reflects the birthday person’s interests.

Peerspace has plenty of bookable museums to make your quest that much easier. Head to our platform to find interesting options near you for a more customizable experience. One of our favorites is this centrally located urban museum in San Francisco’s historic Tenderloin neighborhood.

Able to accommodate up to 150 guests, this is the go-to museum venue for a large gathering. Plus, take advantage of the A/V equipment, including a projector and projection screen, for an epic movie night. Your booking here means you and your guests have access to all spaces in the museum and a dedicated event manager.

3. Gather under a gazebo for an al fresco celebration

For one of those more intimate yet unforgettable 50th birthday party ideas, rent a gazebo at a nearby park or garden. Then decorate it with the guest of honor’s favorite colors. Or, go with the classic black and silver “Over the Hill” motif that so often adorns these milestone birthdays.

From the structure, you can serve food and beverages as appropriate. And the gazebo can be where the dancing and DJing take place. Partygoers can spill out onto the grounds or just stay under the shelter of the gazebo itself.

We love the idea of hosting your party at this elegant retreat space in Scottsville, VA. Besides its lovely lakeside gazebo, make use of the spacious event barn complete with a caterer’s kitchen and stone fireplace. It’s just one of the many gazebos you can book through Peerspace!

Check out these 13 awesome outdoor birthday party ideas to see how much fun a party under the stars can be!

4. Raise a glass at an incredible bar bash

Taverns, pubs, breweries, distilleries, and cideries are all great options for a birthday party of such caliber. Drinking establishments like beer and wine venues are typically already set up for gatherings. In fact, they provide ample space to move around, music, and often arrangements with a food truck or caterer.

Even if the birthday celebrant doesn’t imbibe, most bars have a wide selection of mocktails to accommodate any liquid diet. And maybe there will be karaoke where you can show off your rendition of “Dancing Queen,” “Sweet Caroline,” or another song that dates them to a T.

Book a suitable Peerspace venue brimming with ambiance and amenities like a karaoke machine, bar staff, and meal options. One such option is this cocktail party suite with a speakeasy vibe in Santa Monica. It’s an upscale space complete with a karaoke system, a bar, a sound system, Roku TV, bar games, and optional catering.

Or, head to Denver in the River North Art District to uncover an intimate vintage bar that’s perfect for a photoshoot or small gathering. Look forward to antique furniture, a cool disco area, and light-up cloud sculptures hanging from the ceiling.

5. Put on your boogie shoes and dance the night away

Make way to a traditional club, dance hall, or private rental with a dance floor to two-step the momentous night away. As an example of the latter, this Los Angeles penthouse spotlights a vintage disco lair complete with a shiny disco ball. These vibrant venues are ideal for throwing a memorable bash that stands out from the usual birthday celebrations.

These locations offer a dynamic atmosphere that can be themed to suit the celebrant’s tastes, whether it’s a disco night, an elegant ballroom affair, or a modern dance party. The spacious layout allows for both dancing and mingling, so guests can show off their best dance moves or catch up over cocktails.

Plus, many come with lighting and sound systems already in place. This means less hassle in planning and more time enjoying the night. Add personalized touches like a custom playlist, a video montage of memories, or themed decorations to make the venue feel uniquely tailored to the celebrant’s life and style.

Be sure to check out our 8 great dance party ideas to get the momentum going!

6. Imbibe fine wines in a tasting room or winery

As with wines, most people grow more — shall we say “palatable” — with age. Since this date marks the half-century vintage of the guest of honor’s life, it’s only fitting to host their unforgettable 50th birthday party at a winery.

Peerspace can help you find one that comprises old-growth vines, just to stay consistent with the theme. Rent the tasting room of a winery, like at Casa Di Vite in Excelsior Springs, MO. Gather with your family and friends and enjoy an evening of fine wine, tasty bites, and good times.

Enjoying fine wines in a beautiful setting provides a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere perfect for such a significant occasion. Guests can savor a variety of exceptional vintages, learn about the winemaking process, and even tour the vineyards if the venue allows.

Pairing these wines with gourmet cheeses, chocolates, or a full dinner can enhance the experience. A winery offers picturesque views and a tranquil setting, making it an ideal backdrop for memorable photos. Celebrating a 50th birthday in this way combines leisure and luxury, promising a refined and memorable day for everyone involved.

7. Enjoy laughter and expert storytelling at a comedy club

Laughter, as they say, is the best medicine, and it can certainly take the sting out of huge milestone birthdays like the 50th. It’s even better if the birthday person has a favorite comic who’s performing nearby. Book ahead so all the party-goers can sit together, and if the guest of honor likes to be part of the act, make sure to request tables in the front rows.

8. Entertain your inner child at a retro arcade, waterpark, or roller rink

Kids at heart deserve a chance to play too, especially on their birthdays. Make it a memorable 50th by getting minor whiplash on a new-fangled waterpark slide or play arcade games to your heart’s content. Alternatively, you could rent out a roller-skating rink in San Diego for a 300-person dance party!

Making it a surprise? Then you need to see these 11 cool surprise party ideas!

9. Hop on a flight to jet-set to a destination birthday party

What a great opportunity to join the jet set than to scoot on over to a relatively nearby beach or ski resort! A truly memorable 50th birthday party would take place in Aruba or in Aspen, right? How about a real luau on a Hawaiian island?

If it’s in the budget, spend your big day with your closest buddies or your family in an exciting new setting. Even just taking a stroll or dining out in new environs makes a lifetime’s worth of memories. Find your private destination anywhere in the world by using Peerspace. Our retreat spaces include mansions, tropical oases, beachside escapes, and so much more.

10. Save your appetite for a deliciously fancy feast

Is there a restaurant the birthday person has always wanted to try? Plan ahead and get a reservation to surprise them with the dinner of their dreams. The big 5-0 only happens once in a lifetime, so order the champagne, caviar, lobster, or whatever else will make them feel ultra-loved.

Alternatively, throw the party at a 1950s diner for the thematic value. Peerspace offers you access to several retro diners that will make your guests feel like they’re heading to the sock hop in their finest poodle skirts.

11. Keep it low-key with a relaxing staycation

There’s always the staycation option for a celebratory get-together. Make it an unforgettable 50th birthday party by inviting surprise guests from out of town, having the event catered, or decorating in an extra special way. Hire a DJ or even a band, if you have the space and the budget.

Here are a few theme ideas you might sprinkle in for added value:

• a masquerade party
• a black and silver with an “over the hill” motif
• a murder mystery game night

The guest of honor will be thrilled to be so loved!

Bonus: Disco all night at a ’70s dance party

Celebrate all the amazing style and culture from the early ’70s by having a ’70s-themed 50th birthday party! First, book a vintage party venue on Peerspace that’s dripping with ’70s style.

Then, suggest costume ideas for guests and food ideas to your caterer. And if you’re hiring a DJ, be sure they know these top ’70s hits to keep guests moving on the dance floor all night long. Of course, once you book a Peerspace venue, you can ask the host to help arrange the food and DJ music for you. You need to head down to the thrift store and try on some bellbottoms, after all!

Our ’70s photoshoot ideas will introduce you to several colorful and eclectic 1970s-inspired places that you can rent on Peerspace. These 50th birthday party ideas are some of the most fun to put together!

Peerspace brings all your 50th birthday party ideas to life

With the right venue and a few of these 50th birthday ideas, you’re in for a downright amazing time. Peerspace is happy to assist by making it easy to connect you with your venue’s helpful host. After all, first-class birthday party venues and service to match are what Peerspace is all about.

Ultimately, these 50th birthday party ideas will make this special day unforgettable. These kinds of celebrations not only mark the 50th year in fabulous style but also kickstart the next chapter of life with unmatched joy.

Find unique birthday party venues on Peerspace