The Most Popular 30th Birthday Party Ideas and Themes

Cheers to 30! You’ve come a long way and you deserve to celebrate in grand fashion! Though it can be difficult for some to say goodbye to their carefree twenties, there’s nothing like ushering in the next decade of your life surrounded by your closest friends and family. We’ve put together a list of some of the most exciting ways to celebrate, including some fun 30th birthday party ideas, themes and fantastic venues in Australia. Time to start planning!

Head to a comedy club

Does the birthday celebrant love nothing more than a good laugh? Take a cue from John Legend, who booked a popular comedy club to celebrate his wife’s 30th birthday. Round up your crew for a celebration at your local comedy joint or hire a stand-up comedian to perform at your venue.

Capture that music fest energy

Want good music, good vibes and Insta-worthy photos to be the focus of your event? Celebrate a la Nina Dobrev, who threw herself a “Ninachella” party for her 30th birthday! Nothing says “party” quite like throwing your own Coachella, complete with a live DJ, food tents, a body painting station, DIY flower crowns and of course, lots and lots of booze.

Roller disco, anyone?

Three decades on this planet have likely taught you what you do and don’t like. If that means you want to throw it back and celebrate your milestone birthday roller skating, then so be it. Even better, find a local roller rink and throw it waaay back by accessorising with a ‘70s theme! Think bell bottoms and tie-dye shirts, lava lamps and cheese fondue —the possibilities are endless for an old-school roller skate fete!

Life Drawing Class

Who said 30 was too old for arts and crafts? Channel your inner Picasso with a sophisticated life drawing class. A popular choice among those in their thirties, this activity is ideal for celebrating with friends who appreciate the finer things in life (and maybe even some bubbly!). Plus, you can keep your masterpieces as mementos of your special day!

A luxury High Tea

Whether you’re a tea aficionado or just looking for a classy way to celebrate, gather your closest friends and family for an afternoon high tea. With a range of decadent cakes, finger sandwiches and scones, it's the perfect way to relax and enjoy each other's company. Plus, you won’t have to worry about cleaning up when it’s all done!

Game night

What better way to celebrate a milestone than with all the people who have been there along your journey? Invite your friends and family for an evening of games, snacks and lots of laughs. Set up classic board games like Monopoly or Scrabble, or make it interesting and opt for something a bit more modern such as Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity. Don’t worry, you won’t be bored — everyone will have a blast playing these timeless classics!

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Your birthday, but make it Christmas

By now you’ve probably been to (or heard about) a “Christmas in July” party. But have you ever been to a birthday soiree with a Christmas theme? Take it from Taylor Swift, who celebrated her 30th birthday with “the most aggressive holiday party known to womankind,” whatever that means. The Grammy winner filled a popular New York restaurant with fake snow and evergreen trees and had her friends dress up in festive holiday outfits. The best thing about this theme? It’s actually pretty easy to pull off at any blank canvas venue, and you certainly don’t have to be a celebrity to recreate it!

Host an “Olympics”

If you have a large family or friend group, or just know a lot of people who love competing, prizes or just getting outside for footy, why not throw a mini-“Olympics” for your 30th? Organise a day of outdoor events, split your guests into teams and print out tees with the team names on them! Celebrate your special day with laughter, friendly competition and a bit of exercise (at this age, you need it)!

Cocktail Making Class

If you prefer a low-key 30th birthday celebration, an intimate gathering with your closest group of friends is always the way to go. For a fun twist, why not arrange for a cocktail-making class so everyone can learn how to make all their favourite drinks? You could even have a mixology competition and award prizes at the end of the class. It’s a great way to have an enjoyable and interactive evening with your nearest and dearest! Even if you don't learn anything, at least you'll get a free drink out of it.

Photo booth

Give your birthday snaps a super personal touch with your very own photo booth at your 30th birthday party! Whether you opt for a classic backdrop or pop-up a neon sign, you’ll be able to capture all the fun moments of your night with your friends and family. Don’t forget to have props on hand so everyone can dress up - think hats, wigs, glasses and fake moustaches! People will love getting creative with their photos and it’s a great way to make memories that you can look back on for years to come.

Go on an outdoor adventure

Let’s take that last one to a new level. How about taking your closest pals on a little adventure holiday? Go hiking, bouldering, scuba diving, wakeboarding, paddleboarding or kayaking. If you’ve always wanted to challenge yourself physically or try a new sport, now is the best time to do it. What better way to mark a milestone birthday than by doing something new and exciting?

Honour the year of your birth

Does your idea of a 30th birthday party involve lots of dressing up and dancing? Throw a themed party based on the year you were born. Play music that came out that year, have your guests dress up in clothing from that decade and serve food and drinks that were popular at the time. It’s all about basking in that nostalgic glory!

Have a spa day

Whilst milestone birthdays are a great excuse to party, sometimes all you want is some peace and relaxation. If you prefer a quieter celebration, why not treat yourself and a few friends to a spa day? Book a spa and sauna for the day, then hire a private function space at your favourite lounge or rooftop bar for the evening. Once you’re all pampered and relaxed, toast to the start of a new decade with champagne and canapés.

Have a makeover

Celebrate your birthday and get a little pre-party pampering by giving yourself a whole new look! You can consider changing your hair colour or getting some designer clothes to start the next chapter of your life's journey. Turn the page (and a few heads) on your birthday.

Take a helicopter ride

Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience! Take it to the skies with your very own private tour. Take a helicopter ride through your favourite city, fly over a stunning beach or mountainside, and make sure to get some epic snaps while you’re at it. It’s the perfect way to celebrate this milestone birthday in style.

Popular 30th Birthday Party Ideas Helicopter Ride

Private Chef Dinner Party

If you're passionate about food and want to celebrate your birthday in a more exclusive and refined manner, consider having a private chef prepare a dinner party. The chef can cook a scrumptious meal for you and your guests in the comfort of your home or at a rented location, making it an outstanding way to celebrate your 30th birthday while savouring excellent food and wine.

Jump out of a plane for your 30th

Go on, live a little! Nothing is more exhilarating than jumping out of a plane at 30,000 feet – except maybe that first sip of the cocktail waiting for you on the ground.

Hire a hotel room

To make the most of your 30th birthday, why not hire a hotel room for the night? Whether you’re in town or abroad – renting a private room will give you all the space you need to enjoy an intimate dinner or have a few of your best friends over for drinks. Hello, room service!

Movie Marathon

To give your 30th birthday a unique twist, why not host a movie marathon? In the comfort of your own home or in a rented space, gather some friends and pick all-time favourites. Bring out lots of popcorn, snacks and drinks for everyone to enjoy, then sit back and relax as you spend a night watching classic movies from beginning to end!

Learn to dance

You might have been born with two left feet but it's never too late to teach a more mature dog some new tricks. Sign up for a sexy salsa class or learn how to tango – arriba!

 

Top Venues for a 30th Birthday Party

To make this milestone birthday even more memorable, you’ll need a suitable venue. These are some of our top picks for 30th birthday venues:

Social at Verandah, Sydney

The jewel in the crown of Sydney CBD’s Verandah Bar, this iconic restaurant has everything you need to make your event extra special. The garden-like space features a handsome central bar, cosy leather booths, and a menu curated by executive chef Brad Sloane. The entire venue is available for private hire. For a smaller group, book the private dining room with a view of the busy Sydney streets.

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Eureka 89, Melbourne

Create lasting memories in this sky-high venue with a custom-designed showpiece bar and sweeping views of Port Phillip Bay and the Melbourne CBD. This 5-star venue is perfect for kicking off your 30th, whether you’re planning a themed 30th birthday bash or an intimate small gathering with your closest friends and family.

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Maison West Perth, Perth

Whether you need a blank canvas space that can be decked out to suit your needs or a minimalist space to fit your aesthetic, this converted warehouse in the city’s art precinct of West Perth won’t let you down. The open-plan function space is great for cocktail receptions and comes with a functioning kitchen, tables, chairs and an event host.

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Retro's, Brisbane

A gem of a venue for themed parties of all kinds, this cocktail bar is the place to bring your vision to life. Function packages include VIP booths, premium bottle service and unlimited mixers.

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Hellbound Wine Bar, Adelaide

Tucked in a 19th-century basement, this cosy wine bar has a wide selection of local and imported wines, beers and spirits. It’s the perfect birthday spot for a true wine connoisseur. The venue offers sommelier-led masterclasses and tastings for small groups, plus food and drink packages for social and corporate events.

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Book an unforgettable 30th birthday party venue

We hope these 30th birthday ideas have inspired you to get started on your party planning! The first step is picking a venue with a serious wow factor. With our venue finder, you’ll find hundreds of curated listings for all types of 30th birthday party venues across Australia. Use the smart filters to narrow down your choices and book your perfect birthday spot faster than anywhere else!

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