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Are you looking for fun and unique 21st birthday party themes? If so, you have come to the right place! In this article, we will share some of the best themes for 21st birthday parties. Whether you are looking for a fun and festive theme or something more elegant and sophisticated, we’ve got you covered.
So what are you waiting for? Read on to discover the best 21st birthday party themes out there!
Why is the 21st Birthday Such an Important Birthday?
For many people, 21 is an important milestone birthday. It marks the transition from adolescence to adulthood. And while some may not feel like they are quite ready for adulthood yet, there is no denying that 21 is a significant birthday. After all, it is the legal drinking age in most countries! So if you are looking for a fun 21st birthday party themes to celebrate your day, here are the best themes!
Unique 21st Birthday Party Themes
1. Roaring 20s
If you want to channel your inner Gatsby, a Roaring 20s-themed party is the way to go! This theme is perfect for those who want to dress up and have a glamorous time.
To make this theme come to life, set up a photo booth with props like boas and fedoras, and play 1920s-themed music throughout the party. You can even serve drinks in teacups for an added touch of whimsy. Your guests are sure to have a roaring good time at this type of party!
2. Masquerade Ball 21st Birthday Party Themes
For a more elegant 21st birthday party, consider throwing a masquerade ball. This is a great theme for those who want to dress up and feel like royalty for the night.
To make this theme come to life, ask guests to come in formal attires with masks. Your guests are sure to have a good time at the party!
Masquerade balls are always dazzling affairs that your guests will be talking about long after the party’s over.
3. Beach Party
For those who want to celebrate their 21st birthday with a tropical vibe, a beach party is a perfect theme. This is a great option for summer birthdays, or for those who live near a beach. To pull off this theme, set up some tiki torches and play tropical-themed music. You can even serve drinks in coconuts or pineapples for an extra festive touch. Don’t forget to provide plenty of sunscreen for your guests! for food, stick to light fares like sandwiches, salads, and fruit. Your guests will have a blast at your beach party, and you can too!
4. Costume Party
A costume party is a great way to get your guests into the party spirit. Encourage them to dress up as their favorite TV or movie characters, or as someone from history.
For this theme, you can decorate your venue to look like a Hollywood red carpet. Serve drinks in champagne flutes and put out a buffet of hors d’oeuvres. Be sure to have plenty of disposable cameras on hand so that your guests can take pictures of themselves in their costumes! for food, stick to light fares like sandwiches, salads, and fruit and for the activities, have a movie marathon or set up some fun party games.
5. Scavenger Hunt Theme
This is a great theme for those who want to get their guests interacting and exploring. Hide clues around your venue and have your guests work in teams to find them. The first team to find all the clues wins a prize! For this theme, you can decorate with items like binoculars, magnifying glasses, and maps. Serve finger foods that are easy to eat on the go, like mini quiches or chicken skewers.
This is a great theme for those who want to get their guests interacting and exploring. Hide clues around your venue and have your guests work in teams to find them. The first team to find all the clues wins a prize!
6. Mardi Gras
For a 21st birthday party with a Mardi Gras theme, decorate your venue with brightly colored beads, feathers, and masks. Serve traditional New Orleans dishes like gumbo and beignets. Play music from Louisiana-based artists like Louis Armstrong and Dr. John. And don’t forget the king cake! The person who finds the baby Jesus hidden inside the cake gets to wear a crown for the night. For the decoration, you can also add some gold, green, and purple touches to give it a more formal look. If you want to go all out you get food caterers that specialize in Cajun cuisine.
7. James Bond
For a glamorous 21st birthday party you cannot go wrong with a James Bond theme. For James Bond theme, dress your venue in black and white with plenty of shimmering gold accents. Create a signature drink for the party using vodka, gin, or Champagne, then serve it in martini glasses with gold olives. Set up a photo booth with props like tuxedos, feather boas, and sunglasses so your guests can snap some fun pictures. And don’t forget to play some classic Bond movie tunes throughout the party!
8. Beer Themed
Is your birthday guy or gal a fan of beer? Then why not celebrate their 21st birthday with a beer-themed party? Set up a keg in the backyard and string up some lights for decoration. Serve favorite appetizers like pretzels and nachos, then let your guests enjoy cold beers all night long. Make sure to have plenty of lawn games on hand too, like cornhole and frisbee, for some fun competition. Another important thing to remember for a beer-themed party is, make sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages on hand too, like soda and water, for those who are driving or just don’t drink beer.
9. Western Style
If the birthday boy or girl loves all things country, then a western-themed party is the way to go. You can decorate with wagon wheels and hay bales, and serve up some cowboy grub like pulled pork sandwiches and baked beans. Line dancing is a great activity to get everyone moving, and you can even have a mechanical bull for some extra fun. Don’t forget the country music playlist to set the mood! Just be sure to have plenty of water on hand, since it can get pretty hot out on the range. To go the extra mile, you can even set up a photo booth with some cowboy props.
10. Murder Mystery
For the more cerebral birthday celebrant, a murder mystery party can be a great option. You can purchase a pre-made kit online, or do a little research and create your own. Make sure to provide plenty of snacks and drinks to keep everyone’s energy up as they try to solve the crime. You can even turn it into a costume party by asking everyone to come dressed as their favorite detective or suspect. For decorations, think about hanging up some “crime scene” tape or making your own wanted posters.
11. DIY Spa at Home Birthday Theme
Who says you have to go to a spa to relax? You can have all the relaxation you get at the spa right in your own home. Set up some massage tables or chairs and hire some professional masseuses (or ask friends who know how to give a good massage). Make sure to have plenty of scented candles, soothing music, and maybe even some cucumber water to complete the effect. For an added touch, you can make your sugar scrubs or bath bombs for guests to take home with them as favors.
12. Movie Marathon 21st Birthday Party Themes
This is the perfect theme for movie buffs or anyone who just loves to relax with a good film. Pick a few of your favorite movies, make some popcorn, and settle in for a marathon. You can even invite friends over to join you. Just make sure you have enough snacks and drinks to last the whole night!
13. DIY Party Themed
If your birthday boy or girl is the creative type, why not throw them a DIY-themed party? You can start by sending out invitations with a blank canvas that guests can decorate themselves. For the decorations, you can set up crafting stations where guests can make their own banners, streamers, and other decorations.
For the food, you can have a potluck where everyone brings their favorite homemade dish. And for entertainment, you can have guests share their favorite DIY projects.
14. Karaoke Party Themed
Nothing gets a party started like some good old-fashioned karaoke. Choose a theme song that everyone can sing along to, and make sure there are plenty of snacks and drinks to keep everyone fueled up. guests can take turns belting out their favorite tunes, or you can even have a karaoke competition. The possibilities are endless!
15. Retro Themed Party
For a retro birthday party theme, go for the 80s or 90s theme. Guests can dress up in their favorite decade-inspired outfits and you can decorate the space with iconic items from the era. Be sure to have plenty of music from the period playing in the background, and don’t forget the snacks and drinks! because for the ultimate party, you’ll want to make sure everyone is sufficiently fueled up.
16. The Blacklight Party
This one is perfect for those who want to let their inner child out. A black-light party is all about bright colors, neon everything, and of course, dancing under a black light. You can even add some glow-in-the-dark elements to your decor and have fun with it! or you can use neon body paint for a truly wild look. The rave culture has been big in the past few years, and this party is the perfect way to bring that feeling home.
17. Disco-Themed Party
This is a play on the classic disco party, but with a modern twist. This party is all about letting your hair down and having some fun! You can have a DJ play all the latest hits, or you can even hire a live band to get everyone up and dancing. The important thing is to let loose and have a good time. And of course, don’t forget the disco ball!
For decorations, you can go with a classic black and white color scheme, or you can add some pops of color to make it your own. For food think about things like pizza and chicken fingers, and for drinks, of course, you’ll want to have a variety of cocktails available and for activities, there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned dance-off! So get creative and have fun with it!
18. Simple and Elegant 21st Birthday Party Theme
If you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated, then a simple and elegant theme might be more your style. This party is all about celebrating in style, so go for a classic black and white color scheme with some gold accents. For decorations, think of things like streamers, balloons, and confetti.
When thinking about food and drinks, go for things like finger sandwiches, shrimp cocktails, and of course, champagne! and for activities think of something like hiring a photographer to take some fun photos of you and your guests or maybe even renting out a photo booth!
19. Royalty Themed Birthday Party
Who doesn’t love feeling like royalty? If you’re looking for a fun and unique theme, then a royalty-themed party might be perfect for you. You can go all out with the decorations by hanging streamers and balloons in your favorite colors.
Don’t forget to include a few gold or silver accents. For the food, you can serve up a variety of finger foods and hors d’oeuvres. And for the activities, you can’t go wrong with a classic game of charades or truth or dare.
20. Hollywood Themed
For the ultimate birthday bash, why not go Hollywood? You can start by sending out glamorous invitations and decorating your venue with Hollywood-themed decorations.
For the food, you can serve up a variety of movie-themed snacks and drinks popcorn, candy, and sodas. And for entertainment, you can hire a celebrity impersonator or have a movie marathon, or even hold a mini film festival.
21. Around the World Themed
If you’re looking for a birthday party theme that’s a little more unique, why not try an around-the-world-birthday themed party? You can start by sending out invitations with a world map design. For the decorations, you can hang flags from all over the world and set up globes and other international-themed props.
For the food, you can serve dishes from different countries or hire a caterer specializing in international cuisine. And for entertainment, you can have traditional dancers perform or hire a DJ to play music from all over the world.
22. Sports Themed
For the sports fan in your life, why not throw them a sports-themed birthday party? You can start by decorating your venue with their favorite team’s colors and decorating with sports memorabilia.
For the food, you can serve traditional stadium fare like hot dogs and peanuts. And for entertainment, you can hire a local sports team to come and play or have a video game tournament.
23. Color Themed
One simple but effective way to theme a birthday party is to pick one color and run with it. For example, you could have a black and white party or an all-pink party. You can carry the theme through in the invitations, decorations, food, and even the activities. For example, if you’re throwing an all-pink party, you could have guests make their own pink slime or play pink pinata.
24. Bar Themed Party
A bar-themed party is a perfect way to celebrate your 21st birthday in style. This theme can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. You can decorate your home or venue with streamers and balloons in your favorite colors, or you can go all out and transform your space into a makeshift bar. If you are feeling creative, you can even make your custom cocktails for your guests!
25. Casino Night
For a 21st birthday party that is sure to hit right, host a casino night! This theme can be easily accomplished by setting up some card tables and providing guests with fake money to gamble with. You can also add in some casino-themed games like roulette or blackjack for extra fun.
Don’t forget to provide plenty of snacks and drinks to keep your guests fueled up as they gamble the night away!
Classy and Chic Themes
For those who prefer elegance and sophistication, classy and chic gatherings offer a refined way to celebrate your 21st. These themes provide a stylish backdrop for an evening of grace and poise, perfect for creating a timeless memory.
26. Mamma Mia Themed Party
Transport your guests to a Greek island paradise with a Mamma Mia-themed party. Encourage flowing dresses, and deck the space with blue and white decor. Have ABBA’s hits playing, and maybe even set up a sing-along or a viewing of the movie. It’s a perfect way to say “Thank You for the Music” and celebrate your 21st.
27. Zodiac Sign Themed Party
Delve into the cosmos for your 21st with a Zodiac Sign-themed party. Ask guests to dress up as their astrological signs, and decorate with celestial motifs. Personalize the experience with horoscope readings, and themed cocktails like “Scorpio Scorpions” or “Leo’s Roar” to add a touch of the stars to the night.
28. Barbie-Themed Party
Channel your inner Tour Guide Barbie or Doctor Barbie with a Barbie-themed party. Set up a Barbie box photo op for memorable snaps, and let your guests choose their favorite Barbie role for a playful and picturesque celebration.
29. Flower Child Party
Embrace peace, love, and happiness as you celebrate your 21st birthday with a Flower Child Party. Adorn yourself with floral crowns and flowy dresses for a groovy time surrounded by friends and nature.
30. Wine & Charcuterie Party
Host a sophisticated affair with a wine and charcuterie party. Pair fine wines with an array of meats, cheeses, and artisanal breads, creating a classy and enjoyable experience for your guests.
31. Cute Dinner Party
Keep it intimate and personal with a cute dinner party. Set up a cozy atmosphere, serve your favorite dishes, and enjoy heartfelt conversations over a beautifully prepared meal.
Decades Birthday Party Themes
Travel through time with a themed party that celebrates the decades. From the flapper dresses of the Roaring 20’s to the disco fever of the 70’s, pick a period that resonates with you and make your 21st birthday party theme a blast from the past.
32. 80’s Prom Themed Party
Bring back the big hair and bright colors with an 80’s prom-themed party. Encourage guests to dress in their 80’s best for a night of nostalgia. With a mixtape of classic hits, your 21st birthday celebration will be both cute and classy, and totally tubular.
33. Back In The 90’s Themed Party
Relive the era of grunge, hip-hop, and boy bands with a 90’s themed party. Break out the neon windbreakers and scrunchies for a rad 21st-birthday celebration that honors the decade of your birth.
34. 2000s Throwback Party
Blast into the new millennium with a 2000s Throwback Party. Celebrate your 21 with all the best pop culture references, from hit tracks to iconic fashion, and bask in the nostalgia of your childhood years.
Lighthearted and Playful Themes
Turning 21 doesn’t mean you have to leave all playfulness behind. Create a fun-filled vibe with themes that bring out the inner child or the joyous spirit in everyone. Whether it’s through whimsical decor or activities that spark laughter, these themes are sure to make your birthday bash memorable for all.
35. Funny Sunglasses Bash
Go quirky with a Funny Sunglasses Bash, where outrageous eyewear is the star of the show. Set up a sunglasses station with a variety of shapes and colors, and let your guests pick their favorite pair. This playful theme will ensure plenty of laughs and Instagram-worthy moments throughout the celebration.
36. Jersey Shore Themed Party
Bring some boardwalk vibes to your 21st with a Jersey Shore-themed party. Encourage guests to rock their best gym-tan-laundry look, and pump the beats for a fist-pumping good time. You can serve up boardwalk snacks like funnel cakes, and don’t forget the spray-on tan station for that authentic shore look.
37. Taylor Swift Party
Are you ready for it? Host a Taylor Swift Party and celebrate your 21st by blasting Tay-Tay’s iconic tunes. Guests can come dressed as different eras of Taylor or in outfits inspired by her music videos. It’s a theme that promises to have everyone shaking it off on the dance floor.
What To Keep in Mind While Picking a Theme for your 21st Birthday Party
There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind while picking a theme for your birthday party. First, think about what you like. For example, if you’re not into sports, a sports-themed party might not be the best idea. Second, consider the time of year and pick a theme that works well with the season. For example, an outdoor party might not be the best idea in the middle of winter. Finally, don’t forget to have fun and be creative! The sky’s the limit when it comes to birthday party themes.
Picking a theme for your 21st birthday party can be tough, but it’s important to consider what you like and the time of year. Have fun and be creative! The sky’s the limit when it comes to birthday party themes. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to throw an amazing party that everyone will remember.
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