15 Fantastic 50th Birthday Party Ideas

It’s not easy to find a chic rustic spot in the middle of a big city, but Big Delicious Planet’s organic urban farm in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood fit the bill for this 50th birthday celebration. The event began at dusk with passed appetizers and cocktails while guests mingled between the giant planting boxes, surrounded by luscious greenery. A family-style dinner was served under a wood arbor lit by festive string lights. Guests were seated at a single long table and decor was kept simple with low colorful florals, candles, and gray and navy linens provided by Windy City Linen.

This milestone event actually celebrated two birthdays — a 50th and a 60th — and Evoke event planners upped the ante by creating an event with three distinct parts. Guests began their journey with cocktails in a desert oasis as imagined by Syzygy décor in the Mellon Auditorium. The illusion featured sand-hued stone archways and a waterfall bar as beautiful as a mirage. Next, guests dined on a delicious five-course tasting menu from Occasions Chicago Catering while nestled in a lush forest atmosphere complete with natural wood tables under a canopy of trees and towering vibrant florals surrounded by green draping and projections of branches from Event EQ. After dinner, guests were given lanterns and champagne (of course!) and led to a dance floor anchored by a celestial stage for a special performance. Photographer Geoff Chesman captured the special evening, including the after-party featuring an ice cave aesthetic with mirrors and ice crystal details.

Chicago caterers, The Entertaining Company, made the trip to Three Oaks Michigan for this 50th birthday party hosted on a gorgeous private farm. They offered passed hors d’oeuvres like handmade guacamole in tortilla cups and deliciously creative food stations like a mashed potato bar. Meanwhile Pork Mafia provided a pig roasted throughout the day. Event planner Rachel De Marte Events and decor specialist Event Creative outfitted the trees and barn with twinkling lights and provided luxe rustic decor with lanterns, driftwood and greenery in weathered ceramic pots. The locally-focused event featured spirits from the Three Oaks own Journeyman Distillery and, upon leaving, guests were treated with take-home locally made wildflower honey in raffia-tied mason jars bearing the host’s event logo.

International Event Company produced a celebration that included all of the birthday girl’s favorite things. The decor included hot pink florals from Mark’s Garden and even lighting in the bright shade. Chic black and silver sparkly linens added contrast and amped the glam. Curtis Dahl Photography captured guests enjoying the chic mix of formal tables and clubby lounge areas. An 80’s cover band (of course!) had guests on the custom “Fifty & Fabulous” dance floor all night long (Lionel Richie reference intentional). Vintage-style paparazzi outfitted in fedoras with “press” badges old-time giant flash bulbs snapped guests posing with celebrity lookalikes.

This celebration, planned and designed by Emily Clarke Events, featured a billowing white tent nestled among the evergreen pines and firs of Vail, Colorado. Guests entered through dramatic floral arches, created by Branching Out Events, into the the draping tent studded by crystal chandeliers encircled with gorgeous wreaths of pastel blooms. Gold vases and candleholders amped the glam on the tabletops while white distressed X-back chairs added rustic flair. A microbrewery bar flanked by barrels and stylish wooden signs offered guests options like “Dark and Brooding” or “Lean and Light” for their sipping pleasure. Photographer Sarah Kate captured details like the s’mores station and the presentation of cheese wheels stacked like an elaborate cake. As evening approached, Pink Monkey Solutions lit the tent a light pink and projected branches on the dance floor to bring the outside in.

This Mathes and Co.-planned soirée was centered on the birthday celebrant’s favorite things — including the 1986 movie “Top Gun.” Custom graphics included a monogram logo utilizing Top Gun theming which emblazoned the cocktail bar and stage area. An airplane cake completed the naval flight motif in style. The event, held on the lawn and in a tent at a private residence in Dallas, sported chic blue-and-white decor with striped linens, string lighting and cozy outdoor lounge areas. Photographer Holt Haynsworth captured all of the fun including a performance by the band, the Spazmatics playing the best of the 80s. BEYOND created the perfect audio visual and lighting environment for a very special performance by 80s icon, singer Kim Carnes.

This fun-loving couple chose a fabulous dance club theme for their joint 50th birthday party that included a custom printed dance floor proclaiming that they were “Celebrating 100”  Event planning company, Linzi Events, helped transform St. Andrews Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, into a hip party scene. All of the lighting and decor, which included the dance floor, furniture, and custom laser cut mirror panels were created by Event Effects. Guests danced the night away to the pop hits of the rock band Train and mingled under the glow of purple mood lighting. Photos of the incredible evening were captured by C&I Studios.

A gilded Great Gatsby affair was in order for this birthday celebrant, and it was perfectly set in The Racquet Club of Chicago. Event planning company Bliss Weddings & Events opted for a Deco-style, black and gold color palette throughout the venue, with glam velvet and mirrored furniture provided by Bowery & Bash. Guests sipped champagne passed by servers dressed in chic 1920s flapper outfits, and danced all evening to high-energy tunes by Rendezvous Music. Spot-on lighting by Frost Chicago and large palm fronds and other opulent florals from Kehoe Designs made the ideal backdrop for 20’s-era photos captured by Carasco Photography.

An elegant evening awaited guests lucky enough to be invited to this 50th birthday bash held in the wine tasting room of vineyard Phifer Pavitt in Napa Valley.  The venue spoke for itself, featuring a spacious farmhouse-style room with impressively high ceilings made from beautiful rough-hewn wood. ROQUE Events kept decor to a minimum, allowing room’s unique chandeliers and custom wooden table to take center stage. Bright Event Rentals provided gorgeous table settings including luxe silver-hued linens, and Mae Flowers created lovely floral centerpieces.

Bright pink lighting brought girly glam to this festive milestone birthday party, planned by BCR Events and held under an outdoor canopy in Chicago, Illinois. A delicious menu was prepared by J&L Catering, and guests also nibbled on tasty Chicago treats, like sundaes from Black Dog Gelato and desserts by Sweet Mandy B’s. Intricate lighting displays by Kehoe Designs created a pink star studded dance floor and a perfect backdrop for the musical entertainment, Chicago Catz. Tablescapes Event Rentals along with BBJ Linen provided a variety of color-coordinated tables and swanky lounge areas that were ideal for mingling late into the evening. Photos capturing the scene were expertly shot by Rick Aguilar Studios.

Inspired by television celebrity Lisa Vanderpump’s diamonds and rosé party, this over-the-top  50th birthday bash was a what champagne dreams are made of. The celebration was held outdoors in Morganville, New Jersey, under an elegant, white draped canopy. The party’s fabulous design and detailed décor were executed by Debbie’s Designs. Gorgeous pink, white and fuschia roses covered the mirrored tabletops, while a lush floral backdrop and charming vine swing provided the perfect photo ops for photographer Ellen Marc. Guests helped themselves to the yummy libations, customizing their own mimosas with champagne, exotic juices, berries and even edible orchids. Champagne corks served as cleverly themed place card holders and as spots for guests to pen notes of congratulations to the guest of honor.

This birthday girl opted for a flashback party, looking back and celebrating her years leading up to this milestone event. To set the tone, Covesa Kelly Events designed a cool theme and custom balloon display in varying shades of purple, incorporating amped up lighting and disco balls from Rock the House. Linens were provided by Party Decor, and the unique lucite chairs from All Occasions Party Rentals added glam to the occasion. Guests nibbled on treats with violet frosting, like cake pops and frosted caramel apples from AOB Sweets, plus an elegantly-scrolled, three-tier cake from Michael Angelo’s Bakery. Photographer Stephen Midgett snapped all the angles of this fun-filled affair.

This fab 50-year-old wished for a creative party theme that transported guests to prohibition days via an intricately-designed speakeasy. ROQUE Events designed the celebration, which was held in Napa Valley, California and featured indoor and outdoor elements that included a vintage car. Clever signage indicated that the establishment was closed for “violation of the National Prohibition Era Act.” Meanwhile, costumed guests were drawn into secret cave-like rooms filled with delicious libations and bites from Culinary Eye Catering. An intimate lounge was created by One True Love Vintage Rentals and Pieces By Violet, and was beautifully lit by Luxe Productions. The grand finale included a fantastic, oversized cake built by Entire Productions, and specifically designed to surprise guests when the birthday host’s wife dressed as a flapper popped out of the top!

This Art Deco 50th birthday party featured an elegant design dreamed up by Sonia Sharma Events with decor by Revelry Event Designs. The black and gold dishes and glassware, provided by Casa de Perrin, popped against white linens and lovely white rose and calla lily centerpieces from Celio’s Designs on gorgeously curving tables. A sophisticated lighting scheme, designed by Images By Lighting, created an ethereal glow, which was reflected in the photos taken by Katie Beverley. Live music took the stage in front of a starry backdrop while guest danced under with a cloud-like display of white balloons created by Balloon Celebrations.

This totally unique 50th birthday party came thanks to completely customized decor created for the occasion. Bill James at Neubauer’s Flowers was creative director and florist for the event, held at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The linens and intricate floral chair treatments were provided by Mosaic Inc. Serene pink and white floral arrangements and candlelight filled out the beautiful space. Regal lounge chairs and tufted sofas from Marbella Event Furniture and Decor Rental blended perfectly with this flawless theme, and were perfect props for photos captured by Adam Milliron Photography.  Guests dined at picture perfect tables set with lace and opaque white stemware from All Occasions Party Rental.