18 Outdoor Birthday Party Ideas for Adults
Brittany Anderson
Editor
Year after year you’re looking for a way to top the previous year’s birthday celebration. This year is no different! For as long as the weather will allow (or depending on where you live), you can host an outdoor birthday party for adults. Kick it up a notch with a fun theme idea and some exciting party entertainment to go along with it.
For an outdoor birthday party for adults, the possibilities are endless. Less space restrictions, fun party themes, local vendors and entertainers, and the ability to invite all of your friends and family will result in the most memorable birthday celebration yet.
Here are 18 fun and creative outdoor birthday party ideas and themes for adults:
Luau
A true outdoor party classic—you can’t go wrong with a luau themed party! Cue the floral shirts, leis, grass skirts, and tropical cocktails, and before you know it you’ll feel like you're on an island.
Set up a tiki bar with pina coladas, mai tais, and strawberry daiquiris, and don’t forget to order pineapple pizza. Hire a Hawaiian dancer to teach guests some authentic hula moves and get all guests involved! Kick it up another notch with an exciting fire eater or some background music by a steel drummer.
Fiesta
Think of this as an above average taco Tuesday! Set up a DIY taco and nacho bar with as many toppings as possible, and serve margaritas and Coronas with lime. Have a few sombreros for pictures, encourage guests to dress in bright colors, and create a playlist with your favorite Spanish and Latin inspired music.
Book a quick performance from a live mariachi band or a bartender to craft fancy margaritas to really spice up the celebration.
Tailgate
If you’re a sports fanatic, you’ll score big with this outdoor birthday party theme! Stream your favorite team (whether it’s a new live game or a classic you found on YouTube), have guests wear their favorite sports gear, and grill hot dogs and hamburgers. We recommend also having finger foods like chicken nuggets and french fries to really drive this theme home.
You can set up drinking games like beer pong and flip cup, play your favorite Jock Jams (or hire a DJ), and you’ll feel like you're 21 again—no matter what birthday you're celebrating.
Mystical
Do you wish Halloween was celebrated all year round? Then it seems like a mystical theme is in your future for your outdoor birthday party. Host this celebration at night for a spooky ambiance and opt for lots of candlelight. Serve dark and stormys, have guests wear black, and bring the party to life with tarot card readings, psychic sessions, and fortune telling.
Wine and Beer Tasting
For this type of party, have guests bring their favorite bottle of wine or a 6 pack of beer. Set up a long table, number the different wines and beers and include descriptions of each type. Give out a customized glass with guests' names on it to double as their tasting glass and a party favor and have guests use scorecards to rate their favorites.
Don’t forget to include some kind of live music (an acoustic guitarist or one man band) to recreate a vineyard or brewery vibe.
Olympics
If it’s not an Olympic year, then this is the perfect time to create your own. Round up your favorite outdoor games and engage in some friendly competition with an Olympics themed party.
Organize teams beforehand and have party guests dress in the colors of their assigned country. For the grand finale, set up an obstacle course and hire a DJ to play motivational music and emcee the events. Don’t forget custom cocktails to represent each country!
Pool Party
Who says pool parties are just for kids? This type of outdoor party is great for a family friendly party. If you don’t have a pool, you can always grab a small blow up option or supply enough squirt guns and water balloons.
Use pool noodles as party decor, and grab a sprinkler or two, too. This kind of backyard birthday party is perfect for hot days.
80s Workout
Grab your girls and get ready to have fun at an 80s workout party. Dress in head-to-toe neon, leggings, cut off sweatshirts, and sweatbands, and start the party with a little aerobics. Stream an 80s John Hughes classic like Pretty in Pink or Sixteen Candles for an outdoor movie to end the night. Serve Blue Hawaiians and Fuzzy Navels, and set up an epic photo booth. Don’t forget a performance from a live 80s Band.
90s Throwback
Everyone will be totally into your 90s themed birthday party. Grab your boom box, cassettes, and book an appearance from your favorite 90s celebrity impersonator—the photos will be unforgettable. Since it’s outdoors, you can easily set up a friendly twister game or scavenger hunt for an extra-nostalgic fun activity.
Clambake
A classic New England style clambake will transport you and your guests to Nantucket. This affair calls for sun dresses, button downs, and even some sun hats. Navy and gold or patriotic decor will be key. Book a harpist or steel drummer to play some background instrumentals and hire a caterer to handle all the seafood.
Tea Party
The three key ingredients to an outdoor tea party are pastel colors, mini desserts and of course, tea. Guests should wear dresses, ties, and hats (think: Queen of England vibes), champagne will be served, and ceramic tea cups will act as party favors. This classy affair will be extra fun with an Alice and Wonderland twist. A tea party calls for some live music with the ambiance of a classical singer or pianist.
Theme Party
All of the best parties have themes—and that’s no different when it comes to an outdoor birthday party! From themes like baseball to Woodstock and everything in between, there are plenty of themes to choose from for an adult outdoor birthday party.
Block Party
Is anyone else in your neighborhood celebrating a birthday around the same time? Why not host a block party and celebrate together. Contact your local police department to help block off part of your street, hire a band, book a food truck, and get ready to party the night away.
Backyard BBQ
Everyone loves a good backyard BBQ. If you’re planning a summer birthday party, this is an easy way to celebrate with seasonal favorites. Serve hot dogs, hamburgers, classic sides, and summer cocktails. Don’t forget to set up some yard games like cornhole, bocce ball, or volleyball.
Outdoor Movie Night
If the guest of honor is a movie buff, this is the perfect way to celebrate. Book a green screen rental, set up blankets, chairs, and add some string lights. Choose one movie to act as the theme for the night and include cocktails, mocktails, and snacks that correlate to the theme.
Campout
Who said campouts are just for kids? Set up tents in your backyard and have guests bring sleeping bags and their own camping chairs to sit by the bonfire. Have a DIY s’mores bar ready to go with a variety of options, and have board games ready for a night of fun.
Garden Dinner Party
Host an elegant dinner party in a beautiful garden or outdoor area like your own backyard. The key to a garden party is the fancy ambiance. Set up tables with lots of flowers, candles, and fairy lights to create a truly magical atmosphere. Pair craft cocktails or wines with a variety of hors d'oeuvres and hire an acoustic musician to complete the garden party.
Outdoor Fitness Class
Start the day with an outdoor yoga session or book a private fitness class like pilates or bootcamp led by a professional instructor. Choose a scenic location such as a beach, park, or rooftop terrace. After the workout, enjoy healthy snacks and refreshments together.
Find more outdoor birthday party ideas for adults here on The Bash.
