23rd Birthday Ideas: 50+ Unforgettable Ways to Make It Epic!

If your 23rd birthday is just around the corner, and you’re lost on how to make the party memorable, look no further!

Maybe you feel like 23 is destined to be insignificant compared with the milestones of previous years, but, really, your life is just beginning.

This is your moment to relish your prime years of adulthood!

You’re old enough to taste almost every grand experience life can offer, and young enough to keep a wild sense of adventure. (Congratulations on that nearly developed frontal lobe, by the way.)

In this article, I’ve compiled a list of 23rd birthday ideas that cover a wide variety of vibes you might be searching for — cozy, creative, party-centric, outdoors, you name it.

Your 23rd birthday isn’t just about the number; it’s a celebration of everything you’ve accomplished this far.

Maybe you just graduated from college or landed your first job, or you’re looking back and appreciating how far you’ve come.

Whatever it is, you made it! As you look through the list of epic ideas below, think about what kind of celebration you want and start scheming!

In This Post:

• Classic Birthday Party Ideas

• Wild and Adventurous Birthday Ideas

• Creative and Unique Birthday Ideas

• Restful and Refreshing Birthday Ideas

• Sweet and Tasteful Birthday Ideas

Classic Birthday Party Ideas

• Classic House Party

The magic of a simple house party is that the people you invite are the luxuries that beautify the occasion.

No matter what you plan for the party, whether it’s a movie, a home-cooked dinner, or some fun games, the night will always succeed if you spend it with your dearest friends and family.

One of the best birthday parties I attended had hardly any planning involved at all.

We simply showed up at the apartment to celebrate. Someone had a speaker and started to blast music, and we spent the whole night dancing and singing in the living room until two in the morning.

For these kinds of parties, it’s not about the details or the grandeur of the decorations, but about appreciating one another’s company. 

• Karaoke Party

Photo by Selah Bang

Do your friends and family share a love of music? Rent a karaoke room for the night to jam out to some favorites with your friends or hook up a karaoke machine to the living room TV for a looser and more relaxed vibe.

One party I went to had a karaoke setup in the living room that included mini pink microphones.

One of my friends had recently gone through a breakup, so you already know the song choices were going crazy.

Singing is a great way to express your emotions and welcome in your 23rd year on earth!

• Themed Costume Party

It doesn’t have to be Halloween for you to have an excuse to dress up!

You can choose a theme from your favorite movie franchise or get super creative and come up with a completely new theme, like ‘dress up as any fictional bald character.’ The options are truly limitless.

I remember attending a party where we were all told to wear the dresses, we were just waiting for a chance to wear them again.

It was the perfect occasion to break out the high school prom dress that’s been sitting in the corner of my closet for the past couple of years.

Honestly, it’s a shame there aren’t more fancy occasions in adult life where we can have fun getting ready and dressing up together.

• Game Night

If dressing up and going out aren’t really your vibes, but you do love laughter and have a bit of a competitive streak, a game night party may be right up your alley!

Stock up on your card games or board games and tell your friends to bring their favorites as well!

I know my friends and I absolutely love spending hours together playing various card games.

One of our favorites is a slapping card game called Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. Healthy competition and a moderate amount of violence do wonders for strong friendships!

• Bowling

If you enjoy a combination of sports and food, then perhaps bowling would be the right move for your perfect 23rd birthday party.

Not only does bowling inspire some fun competition, but it’s not physically draining enough to tire you out before you’ve had your share of fun!

• Clubbing

If you love some good drinks, dancing, and singing, then perhaps a birthday night spent clubbing is the move for you!

Savor your years of being young and spry enough to dress up and run around town with your friends! After all, you only live once!

• PowerPoint Night

Here is the perfect opportunity to put those PowerPoint or Canva skills to good use.

Pick a theme for everyone to share and take turns presenting! Some ideas for a PowerPoint theme are “This Year’s Dating Wrapped” or “Ranking This Year’s Most Iconic Moments.”

Once, one of my friends brought us all together to share a PowerPoint titled “Rank the Worst Things He Has Ever Said to Me.”

Needless to say, that night was one for the history books.

• Outdoor Party

If your birthday falls during the spring or summer, and weather permits, take the opportunity to host a party outdoors!

Grill some barbecue for your friends, host a garden party, or light a bonfire! Just don’t forget the mosquito repellent!

Some of the most fun nights of the summer are when my friends and I get together to have a bonfire.

One person will keep the flames going while another might play their guitar, and the rest of us will joke around and sing along.

It’s those kinds of simple moments that you remember forever.

• Weekend Away

Photo by Selah Bang

Your twenties are all about exploration and self-discovery. If you feel like you’ve been marinating in your hometown for a little too long, use your birthday as a chance for a short escape!

Spend the weekend in a nice hotel or an Airbnb and relax!

As a gift, my aunt and uncle once flew me out to visit them in California. I’ll be honest — beach air has magical rejuvenating qualities.

Those were some of the best times I’ve ever had in my life.

• Surprise Party

If you’re searching for birthday ideas for a dear friend, throwing them a surprise party is the perfect way to show how much you care about them! 

My friends and I have a tradition where we surprise each other on the midnight of our birthdays.

We’ll task one person with distracting the birthday girl/boy while the rest of us decorate their apartment, wrap the present, and light the candles on the cake.

Seeing their face when they walk into their surprise party never gets old!

Related: 40 Amazing 20th Birthday Ideas For The Most Special Day

Wild and Adventurous Birthday Ideas

• Take a Hike

If you love beautiful scenery and getting your steps in at the same time, spend your birthday on a hiking trail!

If you’re not sure where to go, search for the best local trails in your area, and hopefully you’ll find some gems.

Hiking is one of my family’s favorite activities to do together. Whether it’s cold out or boiling hot, the views are always gorgeous.

• Vacation Destination

Have you been itching to take a trip overseas and just haven’t found a good time yet? Your birthday is the perfect opportunity to flee the country for a fun getaway!

Take that sightseeing trip to Europe you’ve been dying to go on, or book a flight with your friends to the Philippines! Or if you don’t want to leave the country, visit some national landmarks that you’ve never seen before!

My family and I once took a biking tour around the Grand Canyon in Arizona! The view was breathtaking, and so was the trail.

• Beach Trip

Whether your 23rd birthday is out on the waves or tanning on the sand, if you spend it with your friends, the sunny memories are sure to last a lifetime.

As someone who does not particularly enjoy getting sand everywhere, I do enjoy laughing in the ocean with my friends and family, bodysurfing, and trying to spot dolphins.

Not to mention, boardwalk food is always amazing.

• Mountain Trip

If you’re not one for the warmer climate, book a cabin for you and your friends and take a trip up to the mountains. You can hike, go rock climbing, visit a park, and just appreciate the great outdoors!

• Trampoline House

Just because you’re turning 23 doesn’t mean playtime has to be over. Reserve a bounce house for your birthday and spend the day jumping around with your friends, playing dodgeball, and swinging through the obstacle courses.

Some of my best memories of childhood were spent at my friends’ trampoline parties. Personally, I would love to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and recreate those old get-togethers.

• Ice-Skating

Head down to the local ice-skating rink with your friends and family! Whether you’re a natural skater or you’ve never been on the ice in your life, the day will certainly be one to remember!

The most unforgettable birthday party I attended was at an ice-skating rink.

It was my first time skating, and by the time the session was over, my knees were black and blue, but slipping and sliding on the ice with my close friends was some of the best fun I had ever had.

• City Trip

Photo by Selah Bang

Maybe you’re not really one for nature or physical activity, but you still love to explore. Cities like Philadelphia and New York may be exactly what you’re looking for!

On one trip to New York, my family and I saw a Broadway show, tried multiple pizza places, and stayed at a hotel where you could see the skyline from the window.

If you love walkable adventures and bustling environments, the city trip might be right for you!

• Ski Trip

If you were born in the wintertime, take advantage of the cold weather and hit the slopes.

Whether or not you’re familiar with skiing or snowboarding, traveling to the wintry mountains with your friends always promises a good time, and there’s no time like the present to learn how to navigate the snow!

• Camping Trip

For those of you who are nature-lovers, find the best camping sites at the parks near you, and bring your friends out for a night of bonfires and laughter!

You can roast some marshmallows, tell some ghost stories, and sacrifice the weakest member of your pack to the moon. (Don’t do that last part, but you get the gist.)

• Road Trip

Maybe you’re a massive adrenaline junkie, and all of these ideas are just too good to pass up. Rather than settle for one, take all of them! Plan a route with multiple destinations in mind and hit the road!

My mom and I once took a road trip along the East Coast. We visited Williamsburg, Philadelphia, and Boston over the span of a few days. Remember, no one said you have to limit yourself to just one destination!

Related: 51 Genius 21st Birthday Ideas That Will Make Your Day Unforgettable

Creative and Unique Birthday Ideas

• Paint Night

If you’re a more artistic and creative personality, perhaps a paint night is the right move for your 23rd birthday.

Maybe you and your friends can all choose different reference photos, or all paint off of the same one. Or if you’re currently experimenting with your artistic capabilities, book a painting tutorial!

For one of my birthdays, we bought small canvases and acrylic paints, and each painted from the same reference photo, though the colors varied somewhat.

It was one of the most peaceful birthday parties I’ve ever had, and it was nice to enjoy everyone’s company quietly.

• Pottery

If you want a usable keepsake for your 23rd birthday, head to a pottery studio and pick out a cute piece to paint!

It may take a bit longer for the studio to bake them, but once you pick them up, bright and colorful, it will all be worth it.

This is another quiet and creative birthday idea. I remember having so many parties at our local pottery studio, and I love how each piece comes out so differently, depending on how you choose to paint them.

• Escape Room

If you like mysteries and puzzles, reserve a spot at an escape room!

No doubt friendships will be tested under such duress, but who knows? Maybe you’ll discover some latent detective skills you never knew you had before.

My family loves to visit escape rooms. Not only does it get your gears turning, but the suspenseful storyline behind the room will keep you on your toes!

I remember the most exciting escape room we visited had a second secret room that could only be unlocked through the back of a spooky wardrobe.

• Scavenger Hunt

For a fun, cross-country type of birthday party, ask one or several of your friends to set up a scavenger hunt around town. Follow the clues to reveal a prize at the end!

Bonus points if you and your friends split into two competing teams with one referee.

I remember participating in a scavenger hunt competition with a group of friends.

We ran all around the downtown area, collecting clues and completing side quests until we finally made it to the finish line.

• Book an Exercise Class

Photo by Selah Bang

If you like to keep your body active and you’re looking to try something new, book an exercise class with your friends!

Some ideas include, but are not limited to, kickboxing, Pilates, Zumba, cycling, barre, and dancing.

At my university, I teach a swim class for both advanced and beginner-level swimmers. I love seeing people come to class looking to try new things and exercise while they’re at it!

• Axe-Throwing

While we no longer live in Medieval times, learning how to handle various weapons is still one of the coolest activities in existence.

Head to your nearest axe-throwing facility to learn how to throw axes at bullseyes!

I never thought axe-throwing would be something I would come to enjoy, but I have never experienced anything more satisfying than the resounding thunk of an axe blade embedding itself deeply into the center of the target.

• Amusement Park

If you love rollercoasters and funnel cake, buy some tickets for a day at the amusement park!

The delicious combination of excitement and abject terror you feel at the top of the rollercoaster is unparalleled.

After refusing to ride any rollercoasters, my friends eventually coaxed me onto one, then two, then every single one in the park. Needless to say, I am officially a fan.

• Football Game

Photo by Selah Bang

If you’re a diehard football fan, buy some tickets to the football game and cheer on your favorite team! However, if that’s not an option, gather your friends to watch the game on your living room TV with snacks and drinks provided.

• Mario Kart Night

You can make a fun night out of any video game, but Mario Kart is the cult classic. Race one another for prizes, with the losers having to suffer a harmless but hilarious penalty of your choosing. 

• Kahoot Night

Find out which of your friends knows you the best by organizing a Kahoot night! Ask them questions about yourself to see who has been paying attention. Winner gets a prize!

Some of my friends and I planned a Kahoot night that involved questions about our time together.

Not only is it a fun competition, but it brings up old, nostalgic memories of the good times you’ve shared!

Related: 15 Exciting Things You Can Do at 21: Experience and Enjoy Things at This Milestone Age

Restful and Refreshing Birthday Ideas

• Spa Day

Your early twenties can be full of ups and downs, and if you’re really feeling it, a spa day might be the right move for you.

Book a facial and a massage to destress and allow yourself to be pampered. You’ve earned it.

For one of my friend’s birthdays, she booked both of us a day at the spa, complete with a massage, facial, and mani/Pedi.

As a nursing student, she was certainly experiencing that grueling academic stress, so a birthday at the spa was a much-needed break from everyday life.

• Movie Night

Maybe you’d much rather stay home than venture out into public on your birthday. If that’s you, a cozy movie night with popcorn, blankets, and fairy lights may sound like exactly your vibe.

Or maybe you’ve been dying to see that newest blockbuster. If so, waste no time snagging those tickets from your local movie theater. For our birthdays, my roommates and I love to watch movies and TV shows all together.

So far, we’ve watched XO, Kitty, Coraline, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Smile. The best part about a movie night with friends is the running commentary.

• Aesthetic Photoshoot

Find an aesthetic location to hold a cute birthday photoshoot with your friends! 

Whether you use your iPhone camera, a digital cam, or Polaroids, pictures are an amazing way to celebrate significant milestones and make memories last forever.

For special occasions, my friends and I will drive up a mountain called Carter’s Mountain near our university. 

We’ll wear floral dresses and have a photoshoot session at sunset. Not only do we get to appreciate the scenery, but our future selves will too!

• Luxury Resort

If life’s gotten you down recently or you feel like you’ve spent long enough rushing from place to place, book a trip to a luxury resort for a time of rejuvenation and relaxation.

It doesn’t have to be far — just far enough for you to forget the weight of your adult-life responsibilities.

• Pool Party

A good pool party can go one of two ways: lazy-river vibes or rowdy water-gun chaos.

Depending on your personality, you can choose to lounge in the sun with some fruity drinks, leap in the pool with your friends, or find something in between. 

For me, a pool party is the perfect opportunity to bask in the sunlight and cool off at the same time.

You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy drowning your friends either! Remember, good-natured violence is suitable for all ages!

• “Digital Detox” Nature Day

Have you been spending too much time doomscrolling lately? Have you started recognizing every Brain Rot reference you encounter?

If so, it’s time to unplug and go offline for the day. Not only will this help clear your mind, but you’ll be able to live in the moment.

One thing that I like to do is delete the Instagram app from my phone for a while. It might sound hard to do at first, but trust me, it is so worth it.

Once you delete it, you’ll realize how dependent you’ve been on social media for entertainment, and the boredom will encourage you to build better habits and find more productive hobbies.

• Shopping Spree

Retail therapy is real. And in moderation, going on a shopping spree with your friends is a fun and carefree way to spend your birthday.

Drive to your local mall or that one thrift store you’ve been meaning to visit!

My version of a shopping spree is heading to my local Barnes and Noble or used bookstore and indulging my reading obsession.

I can spend hours in the stacks, and at the end of the day, I’ll bring home the books that really caught my eye.

• Brunch

Photo by Selah Bang

If you’re looking for something loose and casual, a light cozy brunch might be just the idea for you.

Take the opportunity to gather your closest friends and family for a sweet, intimate setting and show your gratitude for all the ways they’ve blessed your life throughout the years.

• Pajama Party

Being in your twenties can be a strange time. A pajama party can be intended as a throwback to childhood, or it can be meant to embrace #grandmacore. Either way, a pajama party is another relaxing way to ease into a new year of life.

• Stargazing Night

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or your life has been full of change recently, a night of stargazing might be able to calm you down and put your circumstances into perspective.

Yes, life may get crazy and hectic, but when you look at the endless expanse of the sky, your burdens might start feeling a little smaller.

Personally, I love looking at the stars. I think it’s one of the most calming and fascinating pastimes there is.

One of my favorite phone apps of all time is Stellarium, which shows you the names of all the constellations and stars when you hold your phone up against the sky.

Related: 150 Exciting Challenges with Friends for Your Next Get-Together

Sweet and Tasteful Birthday Ideas

• Baking Party

Do you have an insatiable sweet tooth? Gather your friends and have a night of baking and dessert-making in the kitchen!

Whether you choose to play it safe with Pillsbury cookie dough or you go all out and bake a sugary feast from scratch, the result is sure to be delicious!

Sometimes, my friends and I will turn a movie on in the background and go all out in the kitchen.

The last thing we made together was strawberry jam-filled sugar cookies while watching the Lorax. 

• Chef it Up

Maybe you’ve gotten to that old and gray stage of life where sugar just doesn’t do it for you anymore. If that’s the case, have no fear.

You don’t need sweets to make fun messes in the kitchen! Find a new recipe with your friends and pretend you’re competing in a high-intensity cooking show together.

As someone who doesn’t enjoy cooking by myself, I actually love cooking with my friends. The company makes the tedious business of physical maintenance enjoyable.

• Birthday Dinner Out

If cooking and baking from scratch isn’t your thing, but you still identify as a devoted foodie, find a nearby restaurant for you and your friends to try!

Sample a new cuisine or dress up to book a reservation at a fancy restaurant!

The first time I tried Thai food was for one of my friends’ birthdays. It’s kind of crazy how you can go your whole life without tasting a certain category of food. Suffice it to say, my taste buds were truly awakened that day.

• Charcuterie Board Get-Together

If you’re a fan of eating like an ancient Roman emperor, consider a charcuterie board birthday party.

Assign each of your guests a category of foods they need to bring on a charcuterie board, and once they begin arriving, assemble the boards on the table for people to grab from!

Not only do you have variety, but you get to enjoy your friends’ creative spins on the assignment too!

• Cooking Class

Photo by Selah Bang

If you love food, but your cooking skills aren’t quite up to snuff, reserve spots in a cooking class with your friends!

Not only is the environment catered towards beginners, but you’re sure to pick up a useful recipe or two in the process!

• Winery

If turning 23 has you feeling mature and sophisticated, take a trip to a winery with your friends to sample a delectable variety and learn more about different wines.

No more frat house jungle juice for you, thank you.

• Picnic in the Park

If you want to combine your love for food with your love for the outdoors, take the party outside!

Pack a picnic basket and set up your meal in a park with some beautiful scenery.

My friends and I love eating outside on the grass with the wind and the sun shining down on us.

I don’t know about you, but crunchy grapes never hit harder than they do outdoors.

• Dessert Birthday Night

Photo by Selah Bang

Here’s another idea for the sweet tooths out there. Visit a bakery or hop around several of the cafes in town to sample their best desserts. Maybe take some to-go and bring them home too!

Because of our constant bakery and cafe tours around town, my friends and I found a matcha cafe that serves a variety of matcha-flavored drinks and ice cream that they prepare right in front of you!

My favorite item on their menu is the matcha limeade.

• Snack Tray Party

If a charcuterie board party isn’t really your vibe but snacking is still one of your most prominent talents, consider the snack tray party.

Not only do you get a wider array of foods when your friends bring in their different snack trays, but you can even assign them themes as well.

• Cocktail-Making Party

Mix the classy with the creative! Find some fun cocktail recipes to make at home or book a cocktail-making class to expand your repertoire!

Related: 255 Best Dares for Your Friends to Have Fun Anytime, Anywhere!

Solo Birthday Ideas

• Coffee Date

You don’t need a significant other to have a cute coffee date, and spending time by yourself in public doesn’t have to be scary!

Use your time to reflect and appreciate the peace.

Personally, I love ordering my favorite drink and sitting down in a cozy coffee shop with a good book.

Maybe you like listening to music, or maybe you’re a fan of people-watching. The beauty of spending time on your own is that it’s all up to you!

• Learn a New Dish

Photo by Selah Bang

Maybe you love to cook, but sharing the kitchen with other people can be chaotic and stressful.

You might think that there’s never enough space and far too much mess. If this is the case, you can spend your 23rd birthday concocting new dishes from the comfort of your own space!

Whenever I want to cook a brand-new dish, I honestly prefer to do so alone.

That way, there’s no pressure for it to taste good if I mess up, and if it turns out well, more for me!

Plus, I have another recipe that I can share with my friends in the future.

• Pick Up a New Hobby

If you’re the type who loves to accumulate various hobbies, use your birthday as an opportunity to indulge yourself!

Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn to knit or you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to start scrapbooking.

There’s no time like your birthday to add another skill to your arsenal!

• Read a New Book

If you’re a cozy homebody with a literary streak, head to your local bookstore or library and pick out a new book to read!

Maybe you’ve been dying to finish that one series you’ve been reading forever, or you recently heard of a new book that you need to try.

Personally, going to the bookstore and browsing until I find an interesting new book is one of my favorite activities.

It’s always a treat to relax, destress, and escape into an alternate reality.

• Take a Solo Trip

One of the perks of adulthood is the freedom! The whole world is open to you, so if you love to travel, use your special day to take that trip that’s been on your bucket list!

You can visit another country, drive to the nearest beach, or take a short flight to visit some long-distance friends. Truly, the sky’s the limit, so take advantage!

Tips for the Perfect 23rd Birthday

Photo by Selah Bang

1-Don’t break the bank.

You might not be a broke college student anymore, but just because your net worth no longer consists of a stack of ramen packets doesn’t mean you’re the next billionaire tycoon either.

Remember, fun doesn’t have a price tag. You can still plan an unforgettable, creative birthday within a reasonable budget.

2-Take your personality into account.

Are you introverted or extroverted? An adrenaline junkie or a homebody?

This should go without saying, but make sure your birthday is tailored to your personality because, at the end of the day, your birthday is for you to enjoy. 

3-Timing is important.

If you want your birthday party to boast an elaborate setup, a luxurious location, or something else along those lines, you don’t want to leave all the planning for the last minute.

Make sure you plot out the logistics far ahead of time. That way, you’ll actually be able to savor your special day without the stress of forgotten details.

4-Create lasting memories.

Despite your slim wallet, your uncertain future, and the thousands of other things you might be worried about in your twenties, rest assured that your future self will look back on these days with some sense of nostalgia.

Do that future self a favor and don’t forget to document your 23rd birthday with plenty of photos and videos.

One great idea is to create a shared photo album with yourself and all your birthday guests to compile all the day’s best memories!

Time To Set Out and Embrace Your Roaring Twenties!

Remember, the big 23 is not just about the number. It is a celebration of all the sacrifices you’ve made to get here, all your past selves who have existed just to see you through.

Here is an amazing chance to look back and be grateful for all the opportunities and adventures you’ve been able to enjoy thus far, and know that there’s so much left in store!

It doesn’t matter how you choose to celebrate this milestone as long as it’s a reflection of you! Comment down below your favorite birthday idea and what kind of party you plan to throw!

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