Turning 50 is an occasion worthy of a momentous celebration. Whether you’re planning a party for yourself or a loved one, you’ll likely want it to be a truly special event. Finding the right theme can be the key to setting the right tone for your party and making it an event that everyone will remember.
To give you some inspiration, we’ve put together seven of our favourite 50th birthday party ideas, from elegant soirees to fun and quirky gatherings, so you can find the perfect theme to celebrate in style.
Born in the 70’s Party
You could celebrate your 50th birthday by going back to the decade you were born in and hosting a 70’s theme night. From flower power to disco, you can really get retro. You could hire a party tent and deck it out in the best 70’s decorations you can find – we’re thinking boho tapestries, lava lamps, shag rugs and – of course – a disco ball and dancefloor. Hire a DJ, make a playlist, or find some local tribute bands to your favourites from the 70s and dance the night away!
90’s Night
You might have been born in the 70’s, but your best party memories might be from the 90’s. So, why not bring back the good times with a 90’s night. Whether you were big on the rave scene, grunge, hiphop, or britpop, theme your party to your favourite memories from the decade. A fun idea for your 90’s night is to ask guests to dress up as they would have done in the 90’s – bonus points for those that can recreate an outfit exactly and bring the photo evidence!
Golden Jubilee
You could start your 50’s by going for gold, with a golden-themed birthday party. Emphasise the golden décor, with balloons, bunting and banners. Think elegant and ornate, so you can enter your 50’s with style and luxury. Gold clothing and makeup could be optional but would look fabulous on the night.
50’s Americana
Another option to lean into the 50’s is with an Americana-themed birthday. For this, getting the food right is key – you’ll need burgers, root beer floats, and ice cream sundaes for the cherry on top. The music is also important and if you can get a real juke box, then more the better. Dressing up for this theme is another must, with poodle skirts, leather jackets, beehives and quiffs.
Casino Royale
If you’re looking for something a little more up market for your 50th birthday, you could go for a classic casino royale theme. For this you’ll need to fill your party marquee or room with casino games like poker, blackjack, and roulette. You can give guests chips to bet with as they enter, and maybe have a prize ready for whoever wins the most at the end of the night. Black, red, and gold is the go-to colour palette for this party, and tuxedos and cocktail dresses will be required for guests.
Backyard BBQ
If these types of themed parties aren’t really your thing, you could go for something simple like a backyard BBQ. Party attire can be more informal, but you shouldn’t scrimp on the decorations – after all, you only turn 50 once. Balloons and bunting are easy birthday party decs, and you can pick whichever colour scheme is your favourite to make it special to you. If you don’t fancy being on BBQ duty, you could ask a few food vans to come and cater for you. Just don’t forget a fire pit to add a cosy area to relax after the sun goes down.
Elegant Garden Party
If you’re dreaming of a sophisticated 50th birthday party, opt for an elegant garden party. Perfect for spring and summer birthdays, we’d still recommend hiring a marquee just in case the weather turns on you. For your elegant garden party, we love adorning as much as you can with beautiful flower arrangements, including for your table centre pieces. For food, you can keep things upmarket but simple, with charcuterie boards, fresh salads, and mini desserts. Delicate fairy lights will keep the party going into the night.
Are you planning a party? At Events Under Canvas, we’ve got you covered with luxury marquee hire. We know what it takes to craft a magical space for your special day, from marquees to furnishing and finishing touches. Contact us to find out more.