Celebrating a birthday in October or November means you get the perfect time of year to party! The scenery is beautiful, the weather is changing, and everyone is ready to break out their cardigans and lattes. We have some fall birthday party ideas to help you usher in your big day in true cozy fashion.
Harvest Festival
Who hasn’t seen the iconic episode of Parks and Rec and wished for their very own Harvest Festival? Make your Leslie Knope dreams a reality with a fall birthday party theme for the books.
🍂 Decor
Set up hay bales around a fire pit for quick and easy seating. Pass out soft flannel blankets as snuggly party favors, and decorate with pumpkins and gourds. Buckets of mums or other fall flowers are simple ways to embrace fall hues. Your color palette should be the classic fall colors like sage green, orange, yellow, and maroon.
🍎 Menu
Festivals love to offer food on a stick, so your fall birthday party should be no exception! From caramel apple bites to miniature pies, the possibilities are endless for fall festival foods. You can also set up more savory options like a chili bar or baked potato bar.
🐴 Entertainment
It isn’t a Harvest Fest without Lil Sebastian! Book a local pony party or petting zoo if you’re partying with kiddos. For adults, hire a horse-drawn carriage to set up cuddly wagon rides for couples.
👉 You might also like: The Basics of Planning a Festival
Cozy Camp
Flannel shirts and hiking boots are must-haves for this time of year! Your fall birthday party ideas should definitely include some fun memories at “camp.” Nothing says cozy fall parties like bonfires and s’mores.
🌲 Decor
Encourage guests to bring their own camp chairs, or if possible, place logs covered with blankets around a fire pit. Decorate with items you’d find in the forest, like pinecones, pine branches, acorns, leaves, and more. Highlight centerpieces with lanterns, canteens, or “hiking trail” signs. A color palette with dark green, dark red, and black accents works well for a camp party theme.
🍫 Menu
Do we have to say it? S’mores bar, of course! You can also offer other camp-friendly foods like hot dogs, baked beans, and potato salad. If your party is sans-fire, a trail mix station or s’mores pops are great themed alternatives.
⛺ Entertainment
Gather around with a singing guitarist for a fun camp sing-along! If you prefer a spookier option, a storyteller can share a few spine-tingling tales around the fire.
Fall Al Fresco
If you prefer a more sophisticated fall birthday party, try hosting an al fresco dinner! The crisp air paired with some warm company will certainly create a memorable birthday.
💡 Decor
Mix and match patterns and colors for a cheerful, Boho vibe for your party. Colors like mustard, teal, and brick red are creative alternatives to the regular fall palette. Natural fabrics like burlap or cotton are great choices for tablecloths, runners, or napkins. String lights or luminaries are a must for your backyard, while candles and vases with fall flowers tie the table together.
🥕 Menu
A classic fall menu is filled with colorful vegetables and lots of flavors! Start with a salad with almonds, goat cheese, and cranberries followed by a butternut squash-based soup. Pork chops or chicken with roasted potatoes and carrots round out the entree course. Apple cobbler with creamy vanilla ice cream is the perfect dessert to finish the meal!
🎶 Entertainment
Book a local cellist to set the tone for a low-key and elegant fall birthday party. For a more interactive option, hire a belly dancer or fire dancer to captivate your guests. Most performers can tailor their costumes to your event, so don’t be afraid to ask for themed outfits.
Backyard Tailgate
It’s officially football season! This fun fall birthday party idea is great for those who drop everything on Sundays to watch their favorite teams. Tailgate from the comfort of your own backyard with all the fixings!
🏈 Decor
If the guest of honor has a favorite team, it makes sense to decorate using the team’s colors. A football party can easily incorporate bright green, brown, and white as accents or base colors for the decor. String up banners and pennants on your refreshment table, and use good old-fashioned footballs and helmets to build centerpieces. Artificial turf adds a few game-day vibes to your decor, too!
🌭 Menu
A backyard tailgate menu includes all things from the grill. From burgers and hot dogs to kebabs and steaks – toss it on the grill and serve it up! Finger foods are the next best thing, so offer vegetables and dip, potato skins, jalapeno poppers, and Lil’ Smokies. Let your guests grab sodas and other canned beverages from aluminum tubs.
📽️ Entertainment
Keep your backyard tailgate going through kickoff and rent an outdoor movie screen to show the game on. For kiddos (and the adults if we’re being honest), hire a face painter to get everyone ready for the showdown!
🙌 You might also like: Plan a Killer Superbowl Party with These Simple Ideas
Pumpkin Patch Party
Ah, fall — with your tasty apple cider, knitted scarves, and trips through the pumpkin patch. For those who can’t get enough of that pumpkin life, this is the perfect fall-themed birthday party!
🎃 Decor
A pumpkin-themed party can be glam and sophisticated or rustic and au natural. Or, you could even blend the two! Use more white and green pumpkins for a refined look and orange and white for the classic palette. Set up flower-filled pumpkins and other elements like wood slices and candles to create pretty centerpieces.
☕ Menu
Create a pumpkin spice latte bar to celebrate that favorite fall drink! Lattes lend themselves well to a brunch-based menu, so consider items like maple donuts, apple cinnamon waffles, and mini quiches. Top things off with mimosas and fresh fruit for a birthday bash your guests will love!
🎨 Entertainment
Get messy with a pumpkin carving station. If you’d prefer to avoid sharp edges, a pumpkin painting or decorating party works just as well for this creative theme. You could also take your birthday party on the road and visit a corn maze. Pick a haunted one for an October birthday if you love spooky things!
🧡 You may also like: Fall Party Ideas for a Cozy Gathering
However you celebrate your fall birthday party this year, we hope you make lots of unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Happy fall, y’all! 🍂
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.