A 30th birthday is one of the biggest milestone birthdays, and for good reason. It’s when we finally shed the burden of perceived youth and really come into our own. It’s a time to stop considering other’s opinions and celebrate all the wonderful things that make you unique as you finally take the plunge into adulthood. Plan the perfect party to commemorate this mega milestone with these 30th birthday ideas!
Trendy Themes
Who doesn’t love a good themed birthday party? Whether you’re a fan of vintage glamour, a lover of all things retro, or someone with a penchant for the dark side, we’ve got just the right theme for you!
✨ Go Glam: All that glitters may not always be gold, but in this case, it most definitely is. Decorate with everything glitzy, gold, and glamorous to ring in this new decade in style!
📼 90s Night: 90s babies are turning 30, so throw a retro 90s party that takes you back to the decade that started it all. Channel your inner Zach Morris and Kelly Kapowski, tease your hair, and party like it’s 1993!
☠ RIP 20s: Say so long to your 20s by throwing them a farewell like no other. Ask guests to dress in all black and decorate with tombstones and skulls, but don’t worry, there will be no mourning at this funeral.
🍷 Talk Thirty to Me: Throw an R-rated bash that will leave your guests blushing. Incorporate silly decorations and games like Cards Against Humanity for this raunchy celebration.
🎉 13 Going on 30: Recreate your favorite high school dance and relive your teenage years for the night! Cheesy decorations and awkward “prom” photos are required.
🥂 30 is the new 20s: Get out your flapper dresses and wing-tipped shoes to throw a roaring twenties bash to rival Jay Gatsby’s. Champagne and pin curls are a must for this prohibition era soirée.
Decorations That Wow
The majority of the decorations will depend on the theme you choose, but there are always staples that will work for every celebration. No matter what your 30th birthday party theme is, we’ve got you covered with dazzling decor ideas!
Chic and Classy
What better way to enter a new decade than to throw a party with a little glitz and glamour? Sparkly gold centerpieces, personalized pink wine bottle labels, and timeless Chanel-inspired napkins are the perfect way to turn 30 in style!
Funny and Facetious
Whether you’re throwing a funeral for your twenties or just embracing all the “old” jokes. Keeping things light-hearted with humorous signs, over-the-hill drink stirrers, and silly party balloons will have your guests laughing all night long.
Sentimental and Sweet
There are all sorts of jokes that can be made about turning 30, but it’s also a really special time in life. So use decorations that bring on the nostalgia, and get your guests right in the feels. Welcome signs that include a childhood picture, an interactive guest book that invites guests to get sentimental, and cups with throwback photos will bring out even the toughest guests’ sentimental side.
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Food and Drinks to Impress
Good food and great company are the heart of any celebration. Whether you are hosting a dinner party, wine tasting with munchies, or a dessert-only tea party, you can impress your guests with gourmet finger foods that melt in the mouth, signature cocktails that pack a punch, and the perfect treats for every sweet tooth!
Amazing Appetizers
Show your palate has grown with you by preparing some fancy appetizers that will make your guests’ mouth water. Dark chocolate-covered figs with gorgonzola cheese, hemp avocado deviled eggs, and prosciutto, melon, and mozzarella skewers with a balsamic glaze are simple with just the right amount of class.
Dazzling Drinks
Elevate your celebration with a splendid array of libations! Craft signature cocktails, like a “Dirty Thirty” martini or the “Flirty Thirty Fizz” champagne punch, to add a touch of sophistication to the evening. For non-alcoholic delights, concoct refreshing mocktails that burst with fruity flavors and fizzy fun. Don’t forget a selection of local craft beers and wines for the discerning guests.
Dreamy Desserts
Indulgent sweets are the name of the game for a 30th birthday bash! A sprinkle-filled donut bar, an over-the-top birthday cake, and silly custom cookies are the ideal treats to ring in this milestone the right way.
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Exciting Entertainment
Entertainment is where your 30th birthday party truly comes to life! From an interactive game night that sparks friendly competition to live performances that will leave you in awe, ensure a good time with these fun ways to celebrate!
Groovy Tunes
Keep everyone on their feet with the best beats around! Whether you love the oldies, modern hits, or rock and roll, these musical entertainment ideas will deliver exactly what you are looking for!
🎸 Party Band: The name says it all! Hire a party band to keep the energy up and the birthday party going all night long.
🎧 DJ: Make sure you have plenty of requests prepared and dancing shoes on. Book a DJ to spin tracks that will get guests out on the dance floor!
🎼 Cover Band: If you want to create that live concert feel at your birthday party, a cover band is the way to go. They can play all your favorite hits across multiple genres.
Unique Activities
If dancing isn’t really your thing, there are a bunch of other fun interactive birthday activities you could plan that will still keep your guests entertained for an unforgettable party.
😆 Comedian: Hire a stand-up comedian to perform an engaging set that gets your guests laughing. They can even roast the birthday celebrant if they’ve got thick skin.
🏆 Game Show: Add some friendly competition to your 30th birthday party by booking an emcee to host a live trivia game or set up a classic game show like Family Feud.
🎲 Casino Party: Bring Las Vegas to you with casino rentals like slot machines and poker tables with professional dealers to give your guests a night of “high-stakes” gambling.
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Artsy Performances
Entertainment doesn’t have to be interactive to be exciting! Lean into your creative side with unique visual performers that will have your guests ooh-ing and aah-ing.
🤸 Acrobat: Entrance your guests with the amazing talents of an acrobat! They can provide background performances throughout the night or perform a headlining show.
🔥 Fire Performer: Light up the night with a magical and exciting show from a fire performer! Jaws will drop at the amazing and dangerous feats of these talented entertainers.
🎪 Stilt Walker: Leave your guests in awe by hiring a stilt walker to make an appearance at your party. They can walk around to add a unique ambiance or even pour drinks from up high!
Fun Night In
Perhaps the birthday boy or girl would prefer to keep things low-key at the ripe old age of 30. There are a ton of fun ways to entertain your guests without even leaving the house.
🌙 Slumber Party: You’re never too old to lounge around in PJs with your besties. Pick out some board games, or grab one of those escape rooms in a box for a night of fun!
🕵️ Murder Mystery: Have your guests get into character and don their detective hats to solve a murder case by hosting a murder mystery party right from your living room.
🎞️ Movie Night: If the weather cooperates, take the party outside. Rent an outdoor screen, grab some cozy blankets, and put on your favorite film for a backyard movie night!
Playful Party Favors
Your guests deserve the best, so make sure they leave this special soirée with the peak of party favors. Whether they are silly or sentimental, a good party favor will ensure your guests never forget this milestone celebration.
Sweet Treats
Satiate some sweet teeth with candy kabobs, have them take a celebratory shot, or give the gift of a fresh scent with custom-scented candles that fill the air with a fragrant reminder of the festivities. You can’t go wrong with reminding your guests of the sweeter side of life.
Silly and Sappy
If you really want to make sure that the party is memorable for all your guests, hand out party favors that will make it impossible for them to forget. Personalized koozies, goofy party pins, and something unique like personalized lip balm are fun, creative favors that are guaranteed to win over your guests.
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Turning 30 isn’t just a number—it’s a milestone, a gateway to a new chapter filled with endless possibilities and exciting adventures. With the right theme, delicious treats, spirited drinks, and fantastic entertainment, your celebration will be more than just a party; it’ll be a cherished memory. No matter what, we hope you celebrate your 30th birthday with lots of joy, laughter, and love. ❤️
Book something awesome for your 30th birthday party! Find the best musicians, performers, and service providers on GigSalad.
Sonia is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad and uses the knowledge she’s gained from helping both the vendor and client through the booking process to give her best event planning advice. When she’s not at work she enjoys the outdoors, a good book, trying new recipes, and spending quality time with her husband and their furbabies.