21 Ways to Celebrate Your 21st Birthday (2024)

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. You thought turning 18 was cool. Now you are finally 21; officially legal. You’ve made it all these years living under the law. But now you need a way to celebrate your entrance into adulthood! Check out these things to do on your 21st birthday.

House Party

Gather up a bunch of your friends, and throw a (responsible) house party to celebrate your big day! You can even make your own invitations, get a DJ, and serve drinks you’ve wanted to try for a while now. (Just remember that you are liable for any drinking that happens at a house party. This means that if your friends are in no shape to drive home, be prepared to offer them to spend the night or call an Uber for them.)

Hotel Party

This should be for your close friends only. Get a few party games, put together a playlist, pick up decorations, and have a nice, laidback night. Just don’t invite too many people, because hotels are strict about noise and room occupancy rules. The best part of all is the cleanup…it’s not your responsibility! (Keep in mind, to avoid cleaning fees, leave the hotel room in the same shape you found it in. Having to cover cleaning fees for trash or damage can put a damper on your party!)

Casino

Break out that ID card with confidence, and take a trip to the casino. If you’re itching to try your hand at gambling, you’re finally of legal age to go for it. Just make sure you only play with “mad money” and not your tuition or rent payments. You can also eat good food on the cheap at casinos if you play it smart!

Clubbing

One of the best parts about being 21 is when bouncers take extra time to look at your ID to make sure you’re legal, especially if you don’t look like it. For your 21st birthday, go out with your friends to a 21+ club, and get your party on.

Bar Hopping

If clubs aren’t your thing, another 21st birthday idea is to go to a couple of bars. Once you get tired of one bar, go to another. This is what we call bar-hopping. Don’t forget to show your birthday excitement by screaming it out — you might even get free drinks and food!

Paint Wine Glasses

Here’s a creative idea for your 21st birthday. Get you best girlfriends together and paint some wine glasses. Use glitter, fun paint colors, write your name or birthday, and make it match your personality. You’ll remember this special birthday every time you pour a glass in the future!

Trip with Friends

Road trips are always fun. But since you are 21 now, take a trip to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, or New York to celebrate. If you can’t make it that far, head to the nearest metro city for a big night out!

21 Selfie Challenge

Come up with a list of 21 different selfies you can do with your friends. Make it fun and crazy. Try a selfie with a stranger, a selfie dancing on a table, etc.

21 Dares

These can be crazy as well, like trying 21 new foods, or even introducing yourself to 21 strangers. You can also look up some classic dares for you and your friends to do.

Birthday Dinner

You can also go with the simple but fun 21st birthday idea, and have a nice dinner with your family and friends.

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Shopping Spree

Shopping is always fun, but it can get expensive, fast. So, set yourself a budget, round up your friends, and head to your favorite stores!

Beach or Mountain Trip

A trip to the beach or the mountains is always a good idea. If you’re headed to the beach, make sure you buy a new bathing suit on that shopping spree!

Create a Drink Checklist

Research some good drinks and make a checklist of the ones you want to try. As you drink, check it off your list — just make sure to pace yourself with water and snacks between drinks!

Wine Tasting

Wine tasting is always fun. Again, get your best friends together, and don’t forget your ID!

Mocktails

Don’t worry: if you don’t drink, you and your friends can always celebrate with a mocktail (or two!). The best part is, you don’t even have to worry about a hangover the next morning!

Get a Tattoo

I would only suggest this if you’ve wanted one for a while. If you do go with this idea, remember to get it in a place where employers cannot easily see it, and make sure the parlor is safe and reputable (this means licensed and clean!).

Get a Piercing

Like the tattoo, if you’ve wanted one for a while, then get one! Just do the research on how to take care of it, and make sure you do it correctly. Like the tattoo, make sure this is done reputably. Don’t go with a friend’s cousin of a cousin who does piercings out of his garage.

See a Show

Seeing a show is a fun 21st birthday idea. Take a trip to New York, Las Vegas, or Hollywood if you want to go big, or see what shows are playing in your area.

Spa Day

Have a nice, laid-back day, and get a massage or a facial, and a mani/pedi. You will definitely feel like a queen as you come into a new realm of adulthood.

Theme Party

Theme parties are great for a 21st birthday idea. You can come up with the theme yourself or find some ideas online, and decorate however you want.

Romantic Day

If you have a significant other, spend the day with him/her. You never know if they have something fun planned to surprise you!

21 Ways to Celebrate Your 21st Birthday (2024)

FAQs

How can I make my 21st birthday special at home? ›

21st Birthday Party Ideas at Home
  1. Try an Online Cooking Class. Celebrating a milestone can be challenging with friends and family unable to gather together in person. ...
  2. Have a Virtual Wine Tasting. ...
  3. Try an Online Mixology Class. ...
  4. Try an Online Coffee Class. ...
  5. Throw a House Party. ...
  6. Throw a Themed Party.
Jan 10, 2024

What makes a 21st birthday special? ›

The 21st birthday is a remarkable milestone that signifies the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This pivotal occasion is marked by legal rights and newfound responsibilities, as young individuals step into a new chapter of life.

How can I make my daughter's 21st special? ›

Experiences
  1. Driving Experience Days. Supercar Driving. ...
  2. Adventure Days Out. Ziplining & Zipwire. ...
  3. Animal Experiences. Zoo & Safari Experiences. ...
  4. Arts & Craft Experiences. New Skills. ...
  5. Flying Experiences. Flying Lessons. ...
  6. Food & Drink Experiences. Dining Experiences. ...
  7. Theatre, Music & Events. Theatre Tickets. ...
  8. Afternoon Tea.

Why is 21st birthday special for girls? ›

The 21st birthday is an special because this is the time when you are officially become an adult and capable to do the things independently.

Is 21st birthday a big deal? ›

In the U.S. the legal age for drinking, smoking, and entering nightclubs is 21. So the 21st birthday is a significant turning point for a young adult as they're now able to partake in more adult activities, legally.

What is the best message for 21st birthday girl? ›

21st Birthday Message Ideas: What to Write in a Card or Text
  • 21st Birthday Message Inspiration. ...
  • Congratulations on Reaching this Milestone! ...
  • Embrace the Adventure Ahead! ...
  • Always Believe in Yourself! ...
  • Thank You for Being You! ...
  • Welcome to Adulthood! ...
  • Celebrating Your Achievements. ...
  • The Best is Yet to Come.

How can I make my birthday special for myself? ›

Let's go!
  1. #1 Bake a cake (or order one) What's a birthday without a cake? ...
  2. #2 Write your future self a letter. ...
  3. #3 Go on a solo date. ...
  4. #4 Treat yourself to a fancy spa. ...
  5. #5 Or have a self-pampering session. ...
  6. #6 Help someone in need. ...
  7. #7 Buy something you've been eyeing for a while. ...
  8. #8 Plan a virtual party.
Sep 23, 2023

What color represents 21st birthday? ›

For traditional and symbolic 21st birthday floral arrangements, Deep Red Roses are perfect. A specific colour dominates every birthday, and the colour to characterise this occasion is marked by tints of dark red. The colour symbolises solid emotions and feelings. It also implies romance, courage, and ambition.

What symbolic gift do you give for 21st birthday? ›

21st birthday gift jewellery symbolism

The key” is a well-known jewellery design for a 21st birthday gift – it represents the key to the door into adulthood. The key is popular for a good reason, not only does it feel special and traditional, there's something that's both classic and up-to-date about the design.

Is there a color for 21st birthday? ›

Burgundy is one of the most popular colors for 21st/12th birthday decorations/fall birthday parties decor. Perfect for the 21st birthday party decorations/birthday special day. Variations in color and shape are expected as part of the lovely nature of handcrafted items.

Where can I take my 21 year old daughter for her birthday? ›

Treat her to a spa day and bond with a bit of pampering

For our first 21st birthday ideas for your daughter, we love the idea of a parent-daughter spa day. More than anything, it's a chance for the two of you to hang out, enjoy tons of self-care, and have some long conversations as well as plenty of gossip.

What words does a mother say to her daughter on her 21st birthday? ›

Happy Birthday and Some Motherly Advice
  • You are LOVED! The people who matter are those who love you for exactly who you are.
  • Love yourself. You are unique and there's nobody just like you. ...
  • Be your own friend. ...
  • Be grateful. ...
  • Don't compare yourself to others. ...
  • Be okay with imperfection. ...
  • Don't knock others down. ...
  • Apologize.

What is the traditional 21st birthday key? ›

Why Celebrate a 21st Birthday With a Key? Celebrating a 21st birthday with the traditional key honors the birthday person's arrival at adulthood and independence. Reaching twenty one is an occasion to be celebrated. And the key symbolizes their maturity and the joy of arriving at the next stage of life.

What to do when you first turn 21? ›

21 Ways to Celebrate Your 21st Birthday
  1. House Party. Gather up a bunch of your friends, and throw a (responsible) house party to celebrate your big day! ...
  2. Hotel Party. This should be for your close friends only. ...
  3. Casino. ...
  4. Clubbing. ...
  5. Bar Hopping. ...
  6. Paint Wine Glasses. ...
  7. Trip with Friends. ...
  8. 21 Selfie Challenge.

Do people still celebrate 21st birthdays? ›

Coming up with a 21st birthday party idea is a significant occasion for adolescents all around the world. Many people dream about this special milestone from childhood, romanticizing the day they will one day reach true “adulthood."

Why is 21st birthday called key birthday? ›

The concept of giving the (21st) “Key to the door” - the freedom to come and go without parental supervision - started taking the shape from 1930. Decorated keys were given as presents, and were featured on cards and the birthday cake.

Is 21 a golden birthday? ›

What is a Golden Birthday? Your golden birthday is when the date of your birth coincides with your age. For example, if you were born on October 8, your golden birthday took place when you turned 8. If you were born on December 21, your golden birthday took place when you turned 21.

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