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33 Best Things to Do on Your Birthday in 2024

Last Updated on Jan 10th 2024
things to do on your birthday

Are you looking for fun things to do on your birthday this year to make it truly special? There are so many options! How are you going to make your special day as fun as possible?  

Whether you want to spend your birthday alone, out on the town or with a big bash, we’re here to help you plan the perfect day. We’ve compiled a list of cool things to do and fun places to go on your birthday this year. Read on for our top suggestions! 

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Creative Things to Do on Your Birthday

1. Have a Paint and Sip Night

If you love getting creative, why not check out a paint and sip near you? Who doesn’t love sipping wine while painting a cool picture? Paint and sip events are super popular, so you’re sure to find one nearby.

You can paint and sip in Denver, paint and sip in Atlanta, paint and sip in Los Angeles or even set up your own at-home paint and sip night with online painting classes and a few bottles of wine to share.

For even more birthday fun with paint, check out these paint party ideas for adults.

paint and sip things to do on your birthday
via Shutterstock

2. Take a Pottery Class

It’s time for your Demi Moore Ghost moment with this thing to do on your birthday. You can try painting ceramics in pottery classes in Boston, making mugs in pottery classes in San Francisco or decorating plates in pottery classes in Houston.

Do it alone or bring a few friends along for even more fun. Find pottery classes near you for your birthday! 

3. Get Creative With Art Classes

Have you ever had the opportunity to take art classes? Use your birthday as an excuse to learn a new creative skill!

You can create beautiful landscapes in art classes in Chicago, paint a portrait in art classes in Portland or create an abstract masterpiece in art classes in Los Angeles. You’ll leave with a great new piece of décor for your home! 

5. Make a Collaborative Art Piece

Don’t underestimate how much fun arts and crafts for adults can be! This is one of the most fun things to do on your birthday, whether you’re particularly artistic or not.  

Set out a bunch of art supplies and a large piece of paper or canvas. Allow everyone at your party to work on the piece as they wish. The end result might look a bit odd, but that’s okay. 

This is also one of the most fun birthday party ideas for teens. It’s messy and silly, but the end result is a great piece of artwork that represents their friendships. 

5. Visit a Local Art Exhibition

If you’re looking for last-minute things to do on your birthday, consider checking out a local art exhibition. Even if there’s no full art museum where you are, there may be smaller local exhibitions or even student exhibitions at local universities. 

This is also one of our favorite solo date ideas, whether it’s your special day or not.

woman viewing artwork in gallery
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6. Design Your Own Board or Card Game

Consider this creative thing to do on your birthday: make your own board or card game. It’s easier than you think, and if you’re having a party, you can collaborate with your friends and even play together.

Use arts and crafts supplies, cardboard, and index cards to create a fun game with your own rules and then test it out. This is way more fun than it seems and the results are often hilarious. 

Foodie Things to Do on Your Birthday

7. Take a Cooking Class

If you’re looking for things to do on your birthday alone, why not take a cooking class? You’ll learn a new skill and get a tasty meal at the end of it. No matter where you live, there are sure to be cooking classes near you available. 

You can take cooking classes in Washington, D.C., cooking classes in Tucson, cooking classes in St. Louis and anywhere else. Make your own special birthday meal this year!  

8. Be Your Own Bartender

Have you always wanted to create your own signature drink? Online mixology classes can help you do just that. Learn the basics of making popular cocktails so you can start creating your own. 

Making your own cocktail is great if you plan on hosting a birthday party! Add “custom drinks” to your list of adult birthday party ideas

9. Go to a Wine Tasting

Is a wine tasting on your list of top 100 things to do on your birthday? It should be. Wine tastings are classy, elegant and a lot of fun, making it one of the best group activities for adults.

If you’re not sure how to plan a birthday party for yourself, consider planning it around a virtual wine tasting. Your friends can all bring wine and snacks so it feels like a real event! 

wine tasting thing to do on your birthday
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10. Visit a Five-Star Restaurant 

When it comes to things to do on your birthday, getting a nice meal is pretty high up on the list, right? Treat yourself to a meal from a 5-star restaurant this year.

Whether you’re having a classy birthday dinner in NYC for a fun trip or you go to a fancy sit-down restaurant in your own town, you should order whatever your heart desires. After all, today is your day! This is also one of the best birthday date ideas. Share your meal with someone special.

11. Hire a Private Chef

You may be thinking “What do I do for my birthday at home?” If you’d rather not go out to eat, that’s okay. There are so many things to do on your birthday at home. You can even have a 5-star meal without leaving your house.

Hire a private chef so you can have your fantastic birthday meal in the comfort of your own home. 

12. Have a “Food Around the World” Party

If you’re looking for theme party ideas, this is a fun one. Have a “food around the world” party with your friends! Everyone picks a country and makes a dish from that country.

Then, you have a potluck-style party and share the food. You’ll get to try new dishes and it’s a super affordable way to ensure that everyone gets fed. 

RELATED: 43 Best Birthday Party Activities & Games for 2023

Unique Things to Do on Your Birthday 

13. Take a Dance Class

Do you have two left feet? We’ve got the perfect thing to do on your birthday to fix that. It’s time to take some dance classes near you

You can learn how to salsa in dance classes in the Bay Area, try ballroom dancing in dance classes in Las Vegas or jitterbug in dance classes in Los Angeles. If you’re not ready to show off your moves in public, online dance classes are a great alternative. 

group of people dancing in dance class
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14. Go Ziplining

This is one of the most fun things to do on your birthday, and it’s not for the faint of heart. Will this be the year that you go ziplining? 

Ziplining is a super popular activity, so you can find it all over. It’s exciting and great for anyone who’s ready to face their fears! 

15. Visit a Trampoline Park

What should a 13-year-old do for their birthday? Well, why not take them to a trampoline park? A trampoline park is a fun place to go on your birthday regardless of your age, but it’s extra special for kids and teens. You or your child will have a blast bouncing around the park with friends. 

16. Try an Escape Room

Navigating an escape room is a great thing to do on your birthday with friends. The escape room hype may not be as prevalent as it was a few years ago, but there are still plenty of fun escape rooms to choose from in most cities.

Pick a theme, grab some friends and start working on figuring out those escape room puzzles! 

17. Have a Spa Day

You deserve a spa day, don’t you? A spa day is one of our favorite relaxing golden birthday ideas, but it’s a suitable thing to do on your birthday at any age. If you’re feeling stressed, pamper yourself on your special day.

Go all-out with a spa that has all of the bells and whistles. Get a massage, a mud bath, time in the sauna and a manicure to top it all off. 

spa day thing to do on your birthday
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18. Do a Fancy Hotel Staycation

You don’t need to travel to find fun things to do on your birthday. Consider using a few of our staycation ideas to make your day special. 

Start by booking a fancy hotel room in your town or city with all of your must-have amenities. You can book it with a friend or have your own solo staycation. Then, look for local tourist activities to do!

19. Do a Photo Shoot

We think a photo shoot belongs on the list of the top 100 things to do on your birthday. It’s a day all about you, so why not get some nice photos done? 

If you really want to treat yourself, hire a professional photographer. If you’re on a budget and looking for cheap things to do on your birthday, turn it into a fun activity with your friends. 

20. Get a Tarot Reading

This is definitely a unique thing to do on your birthday, and perhaps it will set the tone for the year ahead! Whether you believe in it or not, getting a tarot reading can be a lot of fun, and even informative! This is also a great thing to do on your birthday alone. 

21. Go on a Trip

Are you in need of a vacation? Instead of thinking about what to do on your birthday at home, why not go somewhere else? This requires some planning, but it’s worth the extra effort. Take a trip somewhere new and interesting for to mark another trip around the sun!

young man taking selfie on beach vacation
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22. Go to a Comedy Show

Give yourself the opportunity to laugh on your birthday. Go check out a local comedy show! Ideally, they’ll be someone performing who you’d love to see. If not, no problem.

Check out a local up-and-comer or an open mic night. If you’re feeling brave, start this new year of your life by doing your own set.

23. Visit an Amusement Park

This isn’t a cheap thing to do on your birthday, but it’s a fun one. Gather a few friends and hit up the closest amusement park for a great time. Ride the tallest roller coaster, play some fun carnival games and don’t forget to eat plenty of amusement park treats. 

RELATED: 23 Most Unexpected Birthday Surprise Ideas for 2023

At-Home Things to Do on Your Birthday

24. Have a Virtual Game Night

Are you looking for virtual birthday party ideas so you can connect with friends near and far? Virtual game nights are perfect for that.  Have a fun virtual scavenger hunt, check out a virtual escape room or try some online trivia games.

25. Take a Flower Arranging Class

Why not get yourself your own bouquet? No, not a store-bought one. Take virtual flower arranging classes so you can DIY your own bouquet and make it even more special. You can learn how to make gorgeous flower arrangements without even leaving your house.

flower arranging thing to do on your birthday
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26. Throw a Themed Party

You’re never too old for a themed birthday party. Live out your childhood dreams with a theme you never got to try before. 

Do you want a sleepover pajama party? What about an 80s theme party? A cool pirate party? Yes, you may feel silly at first, but it’s so much fun to plan things to do on your birthday like this. You and your friends will have a blast.

27. Have a Board Game Night

Board games are fantastic birthday activities. If you’re looking for things to do on your birthday, whip out your old board games (or buy some new ones) and have a blast with some friends. Don’t forget snacks and drinks to make it a real birthday party.

28. Have an At-Home Spa Day

Does your friend or partner have a birthday coming up? Are you wondering “How should I celebrate her birthday?” 

Why not offer her a spa day? Or, better yet, have one of your own. Assemble a basket of spa essentials, like candles, lotion and bath bombs. Play some nice music and have a full pampering session! 

29. Have a Movie Marathon

If you’re looking for last-minute things to do on your birthday, you can’t go wrong with a movie marathon. Set up a projector (or use your TV), pop as much popcorn as you and your friends can eat, and choose a marathon theme. 

This is a great idea when you’re looking for what to do on your birthday at home and you don’t feel like doing anything too extravagant. 

group of friends watching movie on projector outdoors
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RELATED: 29 Sweetest Birthday Date Ideas to Make Them Feel Special

Free & Cheap Things to Do on Your Birthday 

30. Write a Letter to Your Future Self

This may not be the most exciting thing to do on your birthday, but it’s a good one, and your future self will thank you. Try writing a letter to your future self.

It can be your “one year from now” self, your “five years from now” self or the self that’s reached a certain life event. Write about your hopes and dreams, what you’re currently struggling with and anything else that comes to mind.

Consider packing it in a box with a few of your current favorite trinkets or souvenirs to make it into a proper time capsule.

31. Go on a New Hike

According to the National Park Service, spending time hiking outdoors can boost your mood. If you want to start this new year of your life on the right foot, consider trying a new hike! 

Start early and bring a camera you can use to capture new sights. Bring friends to make it even more fun. 

32. Have a Picnic

There’s not much that’s nicer than a picnic on a nice day. Treat yourself to the ultimate picnic on your birthday. Make your favorite meal, grab a comfortable picnic blanket, and bring a few good friends with you to enjoy a nice day. Go mid-morning to make it a brunch party idea!

30. Go to the Beach

So, you’re wondering “How can I make my birthday fun with no money?” If you’re lucky enough to live near the beach, this is an inexpensive and fun thing to do on your birthday. Have a beach day either alone or with your friends. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen!

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So, what types of things will you do on your birthday this year? You could celebrate all month and work your way through this entire list! Whatever you do, we hope you have a fantastic birthday.

For even more fun birthday ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!