14 Wonderful 55th Birthday Ideas To Make The Day Special (2024)

If you’re on the lookout for some wonderful 55th birthday ideas, you’ve come to the right place! As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we at Peerspace know all about throwing a memorable event.

In fact, the first step is to always book an amazing birthday party rental venue through Peerspace to host friends and family in a pristine and inviting space. Plus, when you book a Peerspace, you can utilize the services of your venue’s local host. These friendly folks want your time in their venues to be perfect and can often lend a hand when it comes to planning birthday party logistics. It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s fabulous!

And it’s worthy of a 55th birthday, which is an important milestone in anyone’s life! With more than half a century of wisdom and experience behind them, your special birthday star deserves a celebration of their life so far. Here are some of our favorite 55th birthday ideas to make the occasion a memorable one. 

1. Find the perfect place to host a birthday party on Peerspace

Before you can bring all your 55th birthday ideas to life, you’ll need the perfect place to host. If you want to get out of the house and into an extra unique venue, Peerspace can help. From airy lofts to sultry private bars and elegant rooftops to lush garden gazebos, we have it all.

No matter what you have in mind for your 55th birthday extravaganza, Peerspace has a spot where you can make it happen in style.

Need some examples? No problem, check out these sensational 55th birthday party venue options:

• This retro motor lodge courtyard and pool in San Francisco, CA for a colorful outdoor event
• This East Village modern townhouse in NYC, NY perfect for elegant dinner parties
• This stunning, large celeb-style penthouse in London, UK for chic cocktail parties
• This two-story penthouse in Chicago, IL with a large rooftop and chef’s kitchen
• This rustic and luxurious event space in Dallas, TX that’s located in a wine cellar
• This sophisticated downtown art gallery in Toronto, ON for paint-and-sip parties

And that’s only the beginning! To discover exactly what Peerspace has on offer near you, click this link, enter your location, hit search, and see what pops up.

You can find indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, and hybrid options. You can also uncover hidden gem venues that suit your aesthetic, be it ultra-lux or industrial-minimalist. Plus, with high-res photos, detailed descriptions, user reviews, and upfront pricing, you know what you’re getting before you even choose to book.

And remember, your chosen venue’s host can accommodate just about any request you have to take your party to the next level. It’s a great way to save time and money without lacking any extras.

2. Host a 55 mph speed limit bash

How many times have you seen the number 55 while driving on the interstate? There’s a reason for that: 55 mph is the national maximum speed law in the United States. Is the birthday star well known among friends and family for their lead foot? Then host a speed limit-themed party demonstrating that they won’t be slowing down any time soon.

Decorate with caution cones, road signs, and car-themed birthday decorations. You can even buy customized speed limit signs, including wine labels and cupcake toppers, that make extra special decorations or party gifts. 

Check out our creative birthday party ideas article for more unique suggestions!

3. Hit the road and explore the world around you

We’re keeping the car theme going with our next 55th birthday idea! In numerology, the number 55 represents independence and exploration. That makes it the perfect birthday for an epic road trip!

Gather the birthday person, their closest friends, and a designated driver. Then pile into the car on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Choose a destination that also means something to your birthday star, and make sure to snap plenty of pics.

4. Host a wine-tasting event

Is your birthday star big on wine? Then arrange a private wine tasting for them and their closest friends. This would be extra special if you book a winery through Peerspace. With Peerspace, you can book a stylish and welcoming winery in cities across the globe with ease.

Here are some of our favorites:

• This beautiful vineyard winery with outstanding lake views in Manson, WA (pictured above)
• This Hudson Valley wine cellar in Montgomery, NY
• This luxurious wine bar with Georgian/Victorian style in Glebe, NSW, Australia
• This beautiful wine bar and art gallery in London, UK
• This chic modern wine bar in Poway, CA
• This small-town country winery in Galien, MI
• This newly renovated winery and vineyard in Montgomery County, VA

You get the idea! Choose your favorite, or find a winery in your metro if none of the above options are near you. For added fun, see if you can find a wine with their birth year for a thoughtful 55th birthday present. Also, don’t forget to bring plenty of cheese and crackers! 

Started planning later than usual? Then check out our 10 last-minute party ideas to pull it off!

5. Celebrate with a birthyear-themed party

Between Beatle mania, gogo boots, the debut of Etch-a-sketches, and other iconic moments, The 60s had some awesome pop culture. People born in 1969 turn 55 in 2024, so why not celebrate the late 60s at a birthday party?

Host a retro party highlighting all the best aspects of the year your birthday star made their big debut. Make the party come to life by booking a vintage-themed event space near you through Peerspace/ For instance, check out this unique 1,700-square-foot Stone Mountain, GA home that is completely kitted out in authentic 60s style, from its tropical backyard to its tiki bar basement! Book the birthday party here and you won’t need to decorate at all, just fire up the 60s tunes and serve some authentic 60s dishes. Maybe skip the Jell-o salad, though. Some things are best left in the past. 

Take this idea and run with it using our 11 retro 60s-themed party ideas!

6. Plan for the future by writing out a bucket list of 55 things 

At 55, some people might choose to retire early. That makes it the perfect birthday to start tackling some of those bucket list dreams. Help your birthday star fill out a bucket list of everything they’ve ever wanted to try. Can you help them tick some of them off yourself? If so, arrange for it to happen on the day of the party and surprise them with it!

7. Gift them 55 small surprises to keep the good times rolling

Instead of gifting one big present, why not show your love with 55 miniature presents? Try and make these gifts thoughtful and cater to your birthday person’s interests. If they’re into gardening, give them 55 different types of seeds to plant. Is your birthday star more of a bookworm? Give them a gift certificate for 55 different ebooks. You could even also coordinate this surprise with other party-goers. 

8. Snap a 55th birthday photoshoot to capture the here-and-now

Are you looking for 55th birthday party ideas for the divas in your life? Why not celebrate with a glamorous 55th birthday photoshoot? If you need help finding a gorgeous studio, check out Peerspace to find the perfect photo studio rental in your city. 

For our friends in the New York City area, we have to recommend this stylish daylight photo studio in Brooklyn. Between its large windows that let in tons of gorgeous natural light and its professional equipment, your birthday person is sure to feel like an A-lister taking birthday portraits here.

You can also peruse our top event photographers in your area to find a photographer and even a stylist who can help your birthday person style their outfits, hair, and makeup to perfection. It may also end up being the most glamorous day they’ve ever had!

Our 13 creative birthday photoshoot ideas for adults make this one easy to plan!

9. Keep them in the dark and make it a surprise

An easy way to make your 55th birthday bash extra special is to not include the birthday boy/girl in the planning. Invite them over to your venue under the guise of something else, then surprise them with a party, including their closest friends and family. Have plenty of cameras on standby for the big reveal. That’s a moment you won’t want to forget anytime soon!  

Need more help with this one? We have you covered with our 11 cool surprise party ideas!

10. Host a 5-course dinner at a 5-star restaurant

A delicious 55th birthday idea for foodies, treat your birthday person to an extravagant dinner at a five-star restaurant. Also, arrange for it to be a private affair with only a spouse, or invite other close friends and family for a grander experience.

This idea is ultra-simple to pull off when you use Peerspace to book a local restaurant. Communicate with the restaurant’s host leading up to the dinner party and see how they can help you plan the menu and discuss any other little touches that will lead to an even more special event. It’s an excellent way to give the birthday person a lavish treat that they’ll cherish forever. 

11. Give them a coupon for 55 minutes of me-time 

Here’s a 55th birthday idea that’s especially fun for couples. Gift your birthday partner a coupon for 55 minutes of an activity of their choosing. It could be almost an hour of uninterrupted TV time, a mani-pedi, or just 55 minutes of quality time spent together. It’s a fun and playful way to give the gift of time on their special day.

12. Challenge the birthday star to try something new

When you reach 55, you have already gained years and years of experience. Is there something your birthday star has always wanted to learn but never had time to do? Take a class together for their birthday and make their dreams come true! Some ideas include pottery throwing, painting, baking, and pumpkin carving.

Whatever they want to learn, invite them to your venue for plenty of fun. Don’t know how to go about hiring an instructor? Consult Peerspace to discover and book a workshop space near you and then ask the host to help you secure an instructor. You’ll find a sensational venue and helpful professionals all on one platform!

If you’re not sure where to start, our 11 creative workshop ideas can come to the rescue!

13. Get a bird’s eye view in a hot air balloon

This specific 55th birthday idea will take the day to new heights. And we mean that very literally! Grab tickets to a hot air balloon and head up into the sky. Your birthday person will get a whole new perspective on the world with the wind in their hair and the clouds at their backs. And you’ll also get to enjoy them having a fabulous time. It’s a memorable birthday activity that’s sure to make a lasting impression. 

14. Hire a videographer to shoot a documentary-style birthday party

What better way to commemorate a milestone birthday than ensuring every moment is captured by a pro? That’s right, book a videography company to attend the birthday party so they can create a professional video that the birthday person can enjoy for decades to come!

Yes, everyone has a cell phone to take photos and videos. But this allows all the guests to put their phones down and enjoy the moment. And what better gift to the birthday person than a treasured keepsake commemorating a special day spent with all of their favorite people?

Check out our guides on the top video production companies in a metro near you:

• 9 awesome video production companies in New York City
• 9 best video production companies in Miami
• Our favorite video production companies in Chicago
• 7 stellar video production companies in Los Angeles

Peerspace brings your 55th birthday ideas to fruition

Planning an amazing birthday doesn’t have to be a challenge. In fact, Peerspace can make it both easy and a ton of fun!

Start by putting a few of these 55th birthday ideas into practice by booking a stunning Peerspace venue and enlisting the help of your host. Before you know it, all that will be left to do is sit back and enjoy!

Find unique birthday party venues on Peerspace