by Jillian Leslie on
Turning 21 is a milestone in every young adult’s life, marking the entrance into a new chapter of adulthood and the legal drinking age in many countries.
As you plan your 21st birthday celebration, why settle for an ordinary party when you can make it extraordinary with a trendy and unforgettable adult party theme?
Check out these 27 trending 21st birthday party themes that will take your celebration to the next level!
Whether you’re a fan of retro nostalgia, love a touch of glam, or prefer an adventurous twist, we’ve got the perfect theme ideas to make your 21st birthday a night to remember.
Get ready to raise the roof and celebrate adulthood with one of these epic 21st-birthday themes!
Reasons to Love These 21st Birthday Party Ideas
- Turning 21 is a significant milestone that deserves to be celebrated.
- It’s an excellent opportunity for friends and loved ones to come together, celebrate, and create lasting memories.
- Many 21st birthday party ideas involve unique experiences and are wonderful at allowing everyone to try something new and create unforgettable moments.
- Whether you are into adventure, music, art, or simply prefer a laid-back gathering, we’ve so many fantastic 21st birthday party themes that will match your interests.
27 Trending 21st Birthday Party Themes in 2023
1: Boho Chic Picnic Parties
There are so many fun 21st birthday party themes to choose from that it can be a little overwhelming to pick the right one when celebrating such a special occasion.
Boho picnic parties are incredibly popular at the moment. There’s something very intimate about this laidback and whimsical party theme which is probably the secret to why it’s such a crowd-pleaser.
Don’t forget to lay out as many floor cushions as you can to create an informal ambiance.
Try making our boho Dreamcatcher DIY and use it to decorate your party, or even as a party favor.
2: Fashionista Parties
If you live for style and everything fashion, a fashionista-themed 21st birthday celebration is perfect for you.
Pick your favorite fashion brand and design your party around that theme.
Whatever you choose, make sure it oozes class and sophistication!
For more inspirational fashionista themes check out our Chanel, Tiffany's, and Kate Spade-themed parties.
3: Disco Parties
Hitting the dance floor is another fun way to celebrate such an important date with family and friends.
What could be more fun than dancing the night away to everyone’s favorite tracks, right?
Either hire a DJ, or make your own playlist on a streaming servicelike Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora, and create plenty of room for an unforgettable night.
4: Brunch Parties
A champagne breakfast or brunch isundoubtedly one of my favorite 21st birthday party ideas.
It’s so much fun to be able to mix and mingle with your guests while helping yourself to delicious food and sipping on champagne.
You don’t get much better than that!
We have a bunch of recipes that are perfect for your brunch, such as this delicious cranberry walnut cake.
5: Tea Parties
Teatime, anyone? Get out your finest china and treat your guests to an afternoon tea party with all the trimmings.
Serve pretty little sandwiches, sweet pastries, and of course… lots of tea!
Decorate with fancy accessories such as pearl jewelry, floral arrangements, romance novels, and other charming touches.
Download our FREE tea party printables and use them to decorate your party!
For more tea party inspiration check out these fabulous Parisian party ideas.
6: Pool Parties
If you are throwing your birthday party during the summer, how about making the most of the good weather and treating your guests to a fab pool party?
A pool is the best place to cool off during the summer, especially if you’ve got a co*cktail in your hand!
Liven up your party with great music, bright colors,Tiki torches, and a bunch of fun inflatables, that you can use as cool photo booth props.
If, on the other hand, the weather isn’t up to it, you could always consider throwing an indoor pool party instead.
Be sure not to miss all our wonderful pool party ideas!
7: Retro Parties
Take a trip down memory lane and throw an old-school retro-themed party for your 21st.
Choose a specific era, the 70s, ’80s, ’90s, or ’00s, and transport everyone back in time.
The birthday cake at all themed parties should take center stage, so create a retro showstopper by decorating with a bunch of cool items from that decade.
If you are planning a hip-hop party we have so many great ideas!
8: All White Parties
There’s something so effortlessand classy about hosting an all-white-themed 21st birthday party.
Whether you decide to throw your party indoors or make it analfresco affair, rest assured that yourall-white party decorations are guaranteed to add elegance to your celebration.
Don’t forget to let your guests know about the white theme dress code on your 21st birthday invitations.
It's a wonderful theme for a 50th birthday party too!
9: TikTok Parties
TikTok is a massive hit on social media and a worldwide phenomenon, so ifyou love spending hours glued to your phone a TikTok-themed 21st birthday is a great choice!
Make sure to decorate with our FREE TikTok party printables, sparkly backdrops, and balloons that you can use as backdrops for your videos.
Be sure to check out all our TikTok party ideas, inspirational cakes, and fun sleepover ideas.
10: Hollywood Parties
Create a memorable evening by making your guests feel like movie stars with a Hollywood-themed 21st birthday party or even an Oscar-themed one. It’s a great theme if you love movies and wish to relive the glory of early Hollywood.
Roll out the red carpet and treat your guests to a night full of glitzy and glamour!
Make sure you download our FREE movie night party printables to decorate your party.
11. Spa-Themed Parties
Kick back and relax while celebrating your 21st with a spa day with your close friends.
Everyone is going to love this self-indulgent party theme with manicures, facials, massages,and of course, lots of laughs!
It's also an amazing theme if you are throwing a 30th birthday too!
Fiesta Parties
Another fabulous 21st birthday party theme that is full of bright colors, great food, and refreshingMexican co*cktails is a fiesta-themed party!
If you can’t resist one then how about throwing aMexican fiesta to mark the special occasion withlots of tasty tacos and deliciousmargaritas?
Don't miss our mouth-watering coconut lime cupcakes, lime margarita cookies, our ultimate Mexican queso fundido, Mexican wedding cake cookies, and skinny margarita lime jello shots.
Check out all our fun and colorful Mexican-themed party ideas for a ton of inspiration!
13: Rustic Parties
Everyone is going to jump at the opportunity to wish you a happy birthday and share your big day with you.
Rustic floral parties are really popular and are such a beautiful party theme for a 21st birthday!
If you love flowers and would love nothing more than to decorate your party with as many of them as you can, then why not pick your favorite one and use that as the theme for your celebration?
If you are throwing your party during the fall and are crafty, you may want to have a go at this gorgeous rustic floral centerpiece.
15: Champagne Parties
Crack open the bubbly and celebrate this important milestone in your life with a champagne-themed 21st birthday party!
It’s a great 21st birthday party idea that all your family members and friends will enjoy.
Be sure to serve elegant party snacks and some fancy appetizers for your guests to nibble on.
16: Masquerade Parties
Add some mystique to your birthday celebrations by throwing a sophisticated masquerade-themed party.
Who doesn’t love an excuse to get all dress up to party the night away?
Decorations really set the mood so make sure you useboth chandeliers, candelabras, feathers and Venetian artisan masks to recreate your very own Venetian Ball.
Planning a party can be so thrilling, especially a themed one like a Great Gatsby party. It's such a popular adult party theme!
Inspired by F. Scot Fitzgerald’s book, a Great Gatsby-themed party is a great excuse to throw a lavish and extravagant 21st birthday celebration.
Again, make sure you let everyone knowwhat the dress code is.
18: Glam Parties
There’s something so heartwarming about having all your friends and family around you to celebrate your big day.
Like any birthday girl, you deserve a party to remember with lots of glitz and glamor, and of course lots of champagne.
Host a black-tie affair and decorate it with as much sparkle and gold as you can.
Glam parties are also a great theme for a 40th birthday party for women.
20: Football Parties
Figuring out the best theme for a birthday boy's 21st birthday can be tricky.
If he’s a massive football fan, how about throwing him a football party to remember?
Serve a bunch of tasty game-day food, (such as football whoopie pies or football cupcakes) and lots of beer, and he and his guests will be more than happy.
Better still if it's game night you couldn’t wish for a more perfect time to put up a big screen and treat your guests to an amazing experience!
We have great FREE football party printables for you to download and decorate your party with!
BBQ Parties
You don’t have to throw a huge party to have a memorable birthday.
Sometimes, the more laidback and easygoing a party is, the more you enjoy your self which is why, if the weather allows, you could throw a BBQ for your family and friends.
There’s nothing like a delicious barbecue, refreshing drinks, and great music to make your 21st birthday one for the ages.
Check out all our awesome summer BBQ party ideas, and download our FREE red SOLO Cup BBQ party printables to decorate your party.
Beer Parties
Another thing men love and that’s a great party theme is beer!
Throw him a tasting party with all his buddies with a bunch of different types of beer and some snacks.
For an unforgettable party make sure you include a bunch of fun party games too!
We have great tips on how to throw a beer and cheese-tasting party that will help you throw the best party ever!
Escape Room Parties
Another cool 21st birthday theme you could go with is an Escape Room party!
Treat your guests to a fun and thrilling experience in an Escape Room, where they must discover clues to puzzles that they must solve, or tasks they must accomplish, in order to get through specific goals in a limited amount of time.
You can bet everyone will have a blast!
Road Trip Parties
If you are looking for having a one of a kind experience how about going on a road trip with your best friends for your 21st?
It’s such a fun idea, so pick a place, or various hotspots you’ve all been dying to go to, create a road trip playlist, and hit the road for a trip of a lifetime!
Karaoke Parties
Sing your heart out at an awesome karaoke-themed 21st birthday party.
Karaoke parties are so much fun and are such a fab way to celebrate a 21st, so grab a karaoke machine and a list of your favorite songs and have a memorable time full of music, dancing, and laughter!
Perfect for people of all ages, a karaoke-themed party encourages guests to sing, dance and entertain – all while creating amazing memories. However, throwing a karaoke house party does take some effort. We are sharing the top karaoke party ideas and tips so that you can let loose with your friends while you sing your heart out.
27: Summer Parties
If your birthday is during the summer, how about transporting your family and friends to tropical shores full of palm trees with a summer-themed 21st birthday party.
Decorate your party with flamingos, coconuts, pineapples, and everything that reminds you of summer for some fun in the sun.
Serve lots of fresh fruit, salads, and of course,whip up some delicious co*cktails, or even our summer citrus sangria!
Take a look at all our amazing summer party ideas, and decorate your party with our FREE summer party printables.
28: Private Chef Parties
Such a special occasion deserves a special treat, so how about hiring a private chef to come around to your venue and cook up an unforgettable meal?
You could even try and get the chef from your favorite restaurant and treat your guests to a mouth-watering meal to die for.
Luau Parties
Want a festive, tropical vibe at your 21st? Luau parties are one of the most popular on our site.
Use lots of bright colors, balloons, and flowers to bring your party to life! Here are someon-trend Luau party ideas to inspire you!
Don’t forget to set up a photo booth for fun photos!
Don't miss all our fabulous luau party ideas for extra inspiration, and make sure you download our FREE summer party printables and use them to decorate your luau!
Casino Parties
Last, but not least, celebrate your 21st in style with an amazing casino-themed birthday party!
Get everyone together for a fun night of blackjack, poker, or roulette, and of course, lots of alcohol.
Better still, if you can take it up a notch, celebrate your 21st in the city of sin with an actual trip to Las Vegas with your friends for the real deal.
It's a really popular theme for a men's 40th birthday party.
21st Birthday Party Ideas FAQs
How can I make a 21st birthday party memorable?
Hire a professional photographer or set up a photo booth to capture the special moments.
Are there any budget-friendly 21st birthday party ideas?
Absolutely! Organize a movie night with friends, a DIY co*cktail-making party, a picnic in the park, or even host a game night at home.
How can I involve friends and family in planning a 21st birthday party?
Create a group chat or social media event page to gather ideas and suggestions, and delegate tasks.
What are some safety considerations for a 21st birthday party involving alcohol?
1: It’s important to encourage responsible drinking and provide non-alcoholic alternatives.
2: Consider designating a sober driver or arranging transportation options like ride-sharing services.
3: Be mindful of legal drinking age restrictions and ensure that guests who are underage are not served alcohol.
Can I have a 21st birthday party focused on giving back or making a positive impact?
Of course! Organize a volunteer day with your friends and participate in a community service project, or request guests to donate to a charity of your choice instead of bringing gifts.
For more inspiration, check out all our amazing party themes!
Need more adult birthday party ideas and inspirations?
- Best Party Themes for Adults!
- 16 BEST 40th Birthday Themes for Women
- 40th Birthday Party Ideas for Men
- Most Popular 30th Birthday Themes for Women
- 22 Stunning 30th Birthday Gifts for Women
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in event planning and party themes, I can provide you with information on the concepts used in this article. Let's dive into the various 21st birthday party themes mentioned and explore them further.
Boho Chic Picnic Parties
Boho chic picnic parties are a trendy and intimate theme for a 21st birthday celebration. To create a boho ambiance, you can lay out floor cushions and incorporate dreamcatcher decorations. It's a relaxed and whimsical theme that is sure to please your guests.
Fashionista Parties
For those who love style and fashion, a fashionista-themed 21st birthday celebration is perfect. You can choose your favorite fashion brand as the theme and design your party around it. Emphasize class and sophistication in the decorations and overall ambiance.
Disco Parties
A disco-themed party is a fun way to celebrate your 21st birthday. Set up a dance floor and play everyone's favorite tracks. You can hire a DJ or create your own playlist on streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, or Pandora. Ensure there is plenty of room for dancing and make it an unforgettable night.
Brunch Parties
A champagne breakfast or brunch is a delightful 21st birthday party idea. Mix and mingle with your guests while enjoying delicious food and sipping champagne. It's a laid-back and enjoyable way to celebrate your special day.
Tea Parties
Host an elegant afternoon tea party for your 21st birthday. Serve delicate sandwiches, sweet pastries, and, of course, tea. Decorate with fancy accessories such as pearl jewelry, floral arrangements, and romance novels. It's a charming and sophisticated theme that your guests will adore.
Pool Parties
If your birthday falls during the summer, consider throwing a pool party. It's a refreshing way to celebrate with your friends. Liven up the party with great music, bright colors, and fun pool inflatables. If the weather doesn't cooperate, you can also consider throwing an indoor pool party.
Retro Parties
Take a trip down memory lane and throw an old-school retro-themed party for your 21st birthday. Choose a specific era like the '70s, '80s, '90s, or '00s and transport everyone back in time. Pay special attention to the birthday cake and decorate it with cool items from that decade.
All White Parties
An all-white-themed 21st birthday party exudes elegance and sophistication. Whether you host the party indoors or outdoors, the all-white decorations will add a touch of class to your celebration. Make sure to inform your guests about the white dress code on the invitations.
TikTok Parties
If you're a fan of TikTok, why not have a TikTok-themed 21st birthday party? Decorate with TikTok-themed printables, sparkly backdrops, and balloons for video backdrops. You can find numerous TikTok party ideas, cakes, and sleepover ideas for inspiration.
Hollywood Parties
Make your guests feel like movie stars with a Hollywood-themed 21st birthday party. Roll out the red carpet, decorate with glitz and glamour, and create a memorable evening. You can even consider an Oscar-themed party if you're a big fan of movies.
Spa-Themed Parties
Indulge in a spa day with your close friends for your 21st birthday. This self-indulgent party theme includes manicures, facials, and massages. It's a relaxing and fun way to celebrate your milestone.
Fiesta Parties
A fiesta-themed party is full of vibrant colors, great food, and refreshing Mexican co*cktails. Serve tasty tacos and delicious margaritas to create a festive atmosphere. This theme is perfect for a lively and enjoyable 21st birthday celebration.
Rustic Parties
Rustic floral parties are popular and beautiful themes for a 21st birthday. If you love flowers, you can decorate your party with your favorite blooms. This theme works particularly well during the fall season.
Champagne Parties
Celebrate your 21st birthday by popping open the champagne. A champagne-themed party is elegant and enjoyable for both family and friends. Serve elegant party snacks and fancy appetizers to complement the celebration.
Masquerade Parties
Add some mystique to your birthday celebrations with a sophisticated masquerade-themed party. Encourage guests to dress up and decorate with chandeliers, candelabras, feathers, and Venetian masks to create a Venetian Ball atmosphere.
Great Gatsby Parties
Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald's book, a Great Gatsby-themed party is a lavish and extravagant way to celebrate your 21st birthday. Create a glamorous ambiance and inform guests about the dress code to immerse them in the 1920s era.
Glam Parties
Host a glitz and glamor-themed party for your 21st birthday. Decorate with sparkle and gold to create an opulent atmosphere. This theme is perfect for a black-tie affair and adds a touch of elegance to your celebration.
Football Parties
If you're a massive football fan, consider throwing a football-themed party for your 21st birthday. Serve game-day food and plenty of beer to keep the celebration lively. Set up a big screen for game night and create an amazing experience for your guests.
BBQ Parties
For a more laid-back and enjoyable birthday celebration, consider hosting a BBQ for your family and friends. Enjoy delicious barbecue food, refreshing drinks, and great music. This theme is perfect for a casual and memorable 21st birthday.
Beer Parties
Throw a beer tasting party for the birthday boy with different types of beer and snacks. Incorporate fun party games to enhance the experience. It's a great theme for beer enthusiasts and guarantees a good time.
Escape Room Parties
For a unique and thrilling 21st birthday theme, consider an Escape Room party. Treat your guests to an exciting experience where they must solve puzzles and complete tasks within a limited time frame. This theme is sure to create lasting memories.
Road Trip Parties
Embark on a road trip with your best friends to celebrate your 21st birthday. Choose a destination or multiple hotspots and create a memorable journey. Prepare a road trip playlist and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.
Karaoke Parties
Sing your heart out at a karaoke-themed 21st birthday party. Set up a karaoke machine and create a list of your favorite songs. It's a fun and lively way to celebrate, encouraging guests to sing, dance, and create amazing memories.
Summer Parties
If your birthday falls during the summer, transport your guests to tropical shores with a summer-themed party. Decorate with palm trees, flamingos, coconuts, and other summer elements. Serve fresh fruit, salads, and delicious co*cktails to complete the tropical vibe.
Private Chef Parties
For a special treat, consider hiring a private chef to cook an unforgettable meal for your 21st birthday party. You can even try to get the chef from your favorite restaurant to create a mouth-watering dining experience for your guests.
Luau Parties
Create a festive and tropical atmosphere with a luau-themed 21st birthday party. Use bright colors, balloons, and flowers to bring the party to life. Set up a photo booth for fun photos and capture the memories of your celebration.
Casino Parties
Celebrate your 21st birthday in style with a casino-themed party. Set up blackjack, poker, or roulette tables and provide lots of entertainment options. If you want to take it up a notch, consider organizing a trip to Las Vegas with your friends for the ultimate casino experience.
These are just some of the party themes mentioned in the article. Each theme offers a unique and exciting way to celebrate your 21st birthday. You can choose a theme that aligns with your interests and preferences to make your celebration truly memorable.
