52 Awesome 20th Birthday Ideas (2024 List)

There are many ways to celebrate your 20th birthday. Some like to celebrate this special day outdoors, whereas others love it indoors. Regardless of what you prefer, we’ve put together an epic list of 20th birthday ideas below for you to check out.

Simply scroll through and find some ideas that catch your eye.

List of 20th Birthday Party Ideas

1. City Food Tour

A city food tour is a great way to celebrate your 20th birthday. Who doesn’t like exploring new areas and trying new delicious foods with their friends? Going to different famous restaurants in your city will certainly be a ton of fun.

If you’re planning a party with a large group, be sure to plan ahead and make reservations, so the day flows smoothly.

The famous restaurants in a city can get crowded during peak hours. So, it is always a good idea to prebook. It will help to avoid wasting your valuable time on this special day.

2. Day Cruise Party

A day cruise party is another great idea. This idea will work if you live near a place that offers a cruise.

You need to book in advance to ensure that all the guests can be accommodated at the party. It is a good idea to check the food served on the cruise to ensure your guests are served good food.

You can spend a good amount of time talking to your friends.

3. Murder Mystery Party

A murder mystery party is one of the popular party ideas that can be used to celebrate birthdays with your friends. It is also a cost-effective method to celebrate your birthday.

You can easily get any murder mystery game for under $100. You can play this game with 6 to 25 guests. If your group size comes in this range, you definitely consider the murder mystery party.

You can arrange for dinner after the games.

4. Bonfire Party

How about a classic bonfire for your 20th birthday party? Bonfire parties are best when you complement them with the right kind of music.

So, make a good playlist of songs apt for a bonfire night. Then, play it in the background during the party. It is a great way to relax and enjoy yourself with your friends.

It’s good if you can arrange foods like grilled chicken, grilled beef, roasted potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Make sure to arrange drinks that go well with these dishes.

5. Go to a Sporting Event

If you are fond of sporting events like football, cricket, rugby, tennis, or any other, you can consider attending your favorite sporting event. You can take your friends and family with you.

Make sure to book the tickets in advance. You can celebrate your 20th birthday with a sporting event only if this event occurs on your birth date.

6. Camping

Many loves to go camping. It is a great way to celebrate your birthday outdoors.

Book any good camping site. Take all your guests to the camping location. Carry food and drinks for everyone. Spending time with nature on this special day is really a great idea.

Don’t forget to organize a campfire. Sit around the campfire and play some fun games. You can have some snacks during these games.

7. BBQ Birthday Party

Are you a Barbeque lover? If yes, consider arranging a barbeque party for your friends and family.

You can do this party in two ways. You can either buy the meat yourself or arrange the barbeque in the backyard for the guests.

Otherwise, you can get a chef to prepare the barbeque for everyone. This idea is good if the group size is large. Don’t forget to decorate your party area.

8. Paintball Birthday Party

Organizing a paintball birthday party is another great idea. It can help you to have a fun time with your friends.

You can consider booking the paintball space for your guests alone if there are many guests. However, you can also get discounts when you book for a large group.

If any of your guests are playing it for the first time, it will be a great experience for them too. It is a good idea to arrange for some snacks like pizza along with some beverages.

Try to bring the book theme to your dinner also.

9. Hiking

If you are interested in spending your time outdoors on this day with your friends, go hiking. It will be an exciting way to celebrate your birthday.

You can arrange a campfire after the hike. Then, everyone can sit around it and engage in chitchats.

It will be good to organize some fire-roasted dishes for the night and some drinks. Also, don’t forget to play music. It will help to elevate the whole mood of the group.

10. Visit a Rock Climbing Gym

Another great idea is to take all your friends to a rock climbing gym. Going to the climbing gym will be a good option if you love adventure sports.

You will have a great time with your friends over there. You can even consider booking the entire gym for your guests if the group size is large.

Some of your guests will be visiting the climbing gym for the first time. So, ensure to prebook a good instructor for your group.

11. Number “20” Themed Party

You can always go for the number 20-themed birthday party. Try to bring the number 20 in everything on the party day.

When you arrange the dishes for the guests, let it be 20. You can arrange for 20 types of beverages. Try to wear a party dress that has got 20 written on it.

Decorate the entire area with the 20 number. Play your 20 favorite songs during party time.

12. Favorite Color-themed Party

Everyone will have a favorite color. So, how about making your favorite color the theme for your 20th birthday party?

You can ask your friends and family members to dress up in shades of your favorite color. You need to decorate the entire place with the same color.

The party can also be made more interesting by bringing this color to your dishes. It is a good idea to hire a chef to prepare the dinner according to this theme.

13. Mini Golf Birthday party

You can also consider taking all your friends for mini golf on your 20th birthday. It will be a good birthday party idea if everyone in the group enjoys mini golf.

It is a good idea to book the mini golf in advance. Also, don’t forget to make the necessary arrangements for decorating the party area.

After playing golf, you can arrange food and soft drinks for all the guests. You can also organize a cake cutting.

14. Fondue Party

You can consider organizing a fondue party for your family and friends. You can set up a fondue pot of cheese and chocolate.

Get some fresh vegetables and fruits. It will be good if you can roast it and have it with the cheese fondue. Other food items you can arrange with fondue include boiled potatoes, cooked ham, grilled beef, and boiled shrimp.

If the group size is large, you must go for a large fondue pot or multiple pots.

15. Yoga Retreat

You can also plan a good yoga session with your friends on this special day. If you are already practicing yoga for quite some time, you can be the instructor for your friends too.

Otherwise, you can consider hiring a good instructor. Then, you can either do the yoga at your place or the instructor’s place. Yoga helps to relax your mind and body.

Once everyone is done with the yoga, you can arrange for some snacks and drinks. Don’t forget to capture some images with your friends in the yoga dress.

16. Party at the Beach

I don’t think there is anyone who does not love a party at the beach. You can definitely consider hosting one on your 20th birthday.

It will be good if you can get a private party place near the beach for your friends and family. Then, plan some fun games and activities at the beach with your friends.

You can arrange for food and drinks too. This is one of my personal favorite 20th birthday ideas.

17. Video Game Party (Tournament)

Many people love playing video games. If you and your friends also enjoy playing video games, then the best way to celebrate your birthday is by arranging a video game party.

It would be best if you could organize a video game tournament. You can arrange a prize for the winner. It will make the party interesting for everyone.

You can discuss with your friends before the party to select the video games you will play during the party. Arrange some light snacks and beverages that the guests can enjoy while playing.

18. Trip to Drive-In Theater

You can take your family and friends for a drive-in movie. It is good to wear sweatshirts and long pants to ensure that you are more relaxed while watching the movie.

You can even consider bringing some chairs if you want to sit with your friends and watch the movie. Then, get some popcorn and drinks in between the movie for everyone.

Some drive-in theater allows you to carry external food at additional charges. If you are interested in getting the food from outside for guests, you need to check with the drive-in theater.

19. Party with Tarot Reading

You can make your birthday party more mystical by bringing a tarot reader for your birthday party.

Bringing the Tarot reader alone will not make the party mystical. You need to decorate the party place with a mystical theme.

The fortune teller can do the tarot readings for the guests. It is going to be a unique experience for all the guests.

Arrange a good dinner for everyone afterward.

Also Read: Gift Ideas for Young Men (Top Picks)

20. Photography Trip

How about taking a photography trip with your friends on your 20th birthday? If you are interested in photography, it will be a great idea.

The first thing to do is to pick a photography spot. It is good to go to any scenic place that can offer great landscape images. Tell all your guests to get their cameras and other accessories for the trip.

You can carry snacks and drinks so that everyone can enjoy some food during the trip.

21. Go to a Concert

Do you love going to concerts with your friends? If yes, book a good concert with your friends on your 20th birthday.

This idea will work only if there is a concert happening on your birthday night. It is a good opportunity to have fun with friends and enjoy your drinks with live music.

If there are many guests, you need to book the tickets for the concert in advance.

22. Go Sky-diving

If you are adventurous, you can consider sky diving with your friends on your 20th birthday.

Many of your friends might be doing it for the first time. So, it will be a great experience for them too.

Make sure that all the guests are above the age of 18. It is because they won’t allow people below 18 years to skydive.

23. Cooking Party

It will be nice if everyone can cook together for the party. This idea works best for a lady group.

You can plan the dishes with your lady friends in advance. Assign one dish each to each of your friends. It would be best if you make arrangements for cooking at the party place. Get the necessary raw materials too.

Make sure that everyone can see each other during the cooking process. It will help to indulge in friendly chitchats.

Once the cooking is over, everyone can sit around the table and enjoy the delicious food.

24. Road Trip

How about hitting the road with your friends to your favorite destination? It would be the best way to celebrate if you enjoy road trips.

You can choose a near or far spot. It is a good idea to discuss with your friends about the destination. You can stop in between for food.

Play some music during the trip to bring everyone to the party mood.

25. Book-themed Party

Do you love reading books? If yes, you can consider organizing a book-themed party for your friends.

You can decorate the party place with books, book covers, bookmarks, etc. You can use your books for the decorations.

Organize some games related to books. One good idea is to conduct a quiz on books. You can reward the winners with prizes.

26. Fancy Dinner with Friends

How about arranging a fancy dinner for your friends on this special day? You can look for the restaurants in your area that offer fancy dishes, not the regular ones.

It will be good if you can book the place so that all your guests can be easily accommodated in the restaurant.

You can also consider pre-booking some of the special fancy dishes in this hotel. This idea can be a bit expensive. But it will be once in a lifetime experience for everyone.

27. Go for a Fitness Class

Are you a fitness freak? Do your friends also love fitness activities? If yes, go to any good fitness class on this special day with your friends.

There are many types of fitness activities and classes. It includes aerobics, gym, pole dancing, etc. You can select any. It will be good to book the entire fitness session for your group alone.

You can arrange a good dinner party once your group finishes the fitness class.

28. Fancy Dress Dinner Party

Choosing a fancy dress theme can bring more fun and excitement to your 20th birthday. You can ask your guests to come in fancy dress costumes.

This type of birthday party needs to be planned in advance. You need to give some time for the guests to make arrangements for the outfits.

Don’t forget to decorate your place according to this theme. Prepare a grand dinner for all the guests. Capture good selfies with your friends.

Also Read: 30th Birthday Ideas

29. Brunch Party

How about organizing a brunch party with your friends on this special day? Brunch parties are becoming the new trend.

Many restaurants provide brunch. You can find any of these restaurants and book brunch for your guests on your birthday.

It will be good to check and confirm the menu before booking. If you are interested in any special brunch dishes which are not on the menu, you can also order them.

30. Dessert Party

You can also consider organizing a dessert party for your friends on your birthday. If your group loves eating desserts, it will be a fantastic idea.

You can arrange different types of desserts in different flavors. It includes cakes, cookies, candies, pastries, biscuits, custards, etc.

You can arrange a chef who can prepare the desserts for you. The party can be more exciting by bringing the dessert theme into the decoration.

You need to complement these desserts with appropriate beverages too.

31. Go to a Spa

If you like to relax on your birthday, there is no better option than going to a spa with your friends. It is a good idea to book it in advance for all your guests.

You can enjoy massages, manicures, and facials. It is better to take your guests to the spa.

You can also get the spa guys to your place. But you will have to make the arrangements at your place.

32. Masquerade Party

How about planning a mystery party for your 20th birthday? You can organize a masquerade birthday party. You can ask all the guests to wear a masquerade mask.

It is pretty easy to organize a masquerade party. You can arrange a good dinner for the guests.

It is a good idea to set up a photo corner where you can click pictures with guests wearing the masks.

33. Tea Party

One of the formal ways to celebrate your 20th birthday is to give your friends and family a tea party. It is pretty easy to organize a tea party.

You need to arrange for tea along with snacks. It can be great if you could get premium tea for your guests. You can organize different types of snacks.

It is a good idea to play some music in the background. It will help to provide a good ambience for the party.

34. Bowling Party

You can make this special day really eventful by organizing a bowling party for your friends. Of course, this idea works best if your friends love bowling.

You can book the bowling place for your guests. You can book it for your friends alone if there are many people.

Don’t forget to arrange snacks and drinks for the guests between bowling.

35. Classic Dinner Party

If you are interested in celebrating your 20th birthday in a simple way, the classic dinner party will be the best choice.

You can cook the dinner dishes by yourself. However, if there are many guests, you can hire a good chef and share your menu with him. He will cook it for you.

Don’t forget to arrange drinks with the food. Also, play some music during the dinner party. It will help to elevate the mood of the whole group.

36. Visit a Theme Park

How about an adventurous birthday celebration? One of the best ways to celebrate your 20th birthday, if you and your guest love adventure, is to take them to a theme park.

Spending time in a theme park on roller coasters and other rides with your friends will be really fun. Don’t forget to have cotton candies with your friends.

Do click some selfies.

Related Article: Gifts for Women in Their 20s

37. Go Surfing

You can take your friends for surfing. It will be a great way to celebrate this special day if everyone in the group loves this activity.

You need to book in advance if there are more people in your group. It is going to be a fun-filled event.

You can throw up dinner later at night for your friends. It is good to decorate the dinner place with the surfing theme.

38. Music Party

Many people are fond of listening to songs as well as singing. So, if you and your friends also belong to the same category, throw up a music party.

The first thing that you need to do is to make a playlist of your favorite songs. Then, you can play this music in the party area. You can also ask the guests to sing songs for you to make it more interesting.

Arrange a good dinner for your friends. Enjoy the food in the excellent ambiance of the music.

39. Potluck Party

A Potluck party requires some planning. You need to make a list of dishes for the party first. After that, you can discuss with the guests the dish they will prepare and bring for the party.

It is a good idea to arrange the main course by yourself and only give the side dishes to the guests. Also, don’t forget to arrange drinks for the guests.

Plan some fun activities for the party to make it more exciting for everyone.

40. Slumber Party

You might have had many sleepovers with your friends in your childhood days. It will be good if you can recreate the same ambiance and memories with the help of a slumber party.

It is one of the easy and informal ways to celebrate your birthday. Spend the whole night with your friends talking gossip. Don’t forget to arrange a good dinner for your friends.

It is good to plan some fun games for your sleepover party. It will help to make the slumber party more enjoyable.

41. Pool Party

How about having a great time at the pool with your friends on your 20th birthday? If it sounds good, host a pool party for your friends.

The party can be more enjoyable by organizing pool activities and games. You can even give some prizes to the winners of these pool games.

Arrange snacks and refreshments so the guests can enjoy every moment of the party. Get a Bluetooth speaker to play some music.

42. Mocktail Party

You need great drink recipes to throw a mocktail party for your 20th birthday.

It would be best if you could hire an expert to prepare the mocktails for all your guests. Then, you can arrange some snacks that go well with these mocktails.

You can ask the mocktail expert for his special recipes and include some of them in your party menu. It will be good if you can decorate your place with a mocktail theme.

Play some music to bring more life to the party.

43. Cake Party

Are you fond of cakes? If yes, how about hosting a cake party for your friends?

When it comes to a cake party, it is always good to arrange different types of cakes for the guests. It will be a good chance for the guests to try different cake varieties.

You must also arrange for beverages that go well with cakes. Decorate the party area with the cake theme. Play some music in the background to provide more ambiance to the party.

44. DIY Crafting Party

You can also arrange a DIY crafting party for your 20th birthday. It is a good idea to check with your friends to ensure they, too, love DIY crafts.

When it comes to crafts, it can be anything like pottery, woodworking, etc. You can hire a DIY expert to teach you and your guests on this special day.

You need to make arrangements for all the raw materials. Once the crafts session is over, you can arrange refreshments for the guests.

45. Dance Party

How about dancing with your friends on your 20th birthday? If you love this idea, consider arranging a dance party with your friends.

You can make arrangements in your place for all the guests to dance. Decorate the area to bring more vibes to the party.

Make a list of songs to play on this special night. Dance with your friends to this music.

Once the dance is over, you can arrange food and beverages for everyone.

46. Picnic

A picnic is a great way to relax with your family and friends. Try to select a calm place for your picnic spot. Also, make sure it is not a long drive to the spot.

It will be great if you can go to a less crowded area. Plan some games and fun activities. Carry food and drinks for everyone with you.

It is also a good idea to take a Bluetooth speaker with you if you are interested in listening to music.

47. Party with Painting

How about organizing a birthday party with painting? This idea will work only if everyone in your friend’s circle enjoys painting.

If you have sufficient room to accommodate everyone, you can arrange it at your place. Otherwise, you can book any place to host this event.

You need to arrange the paint, canvas, and brushes for everyone. It will be great if you can arrange for some well-known artists in your area to paint with your guests.

48. Party at Your Favorite Destination

Who doesn’t love to celebrate their 20th birthday at their favorite destination? It is a great way to celebrate this special day.

Take your friends and family to your favorite destination. It can be far or near. You need to make arrangements for the stay and food for everyone.

Make sure to have a fun time with your friends. You can even consider cutting the birthday cake at your favorite place.

49. Virtual Birthday Party

Sometimes, you and your friends will be at different locations. So, it would be tough for everyone to attend your birthday party.

If this is your situation, hosting a virtual birthday party would be great. Everyone can join on a video call during the party time. In addition, you can cut your birthday cake during the call.

There are different online games that you can consider playing with your friends on this special day.

50. Luau Party

If you are interested in bringing Hawaiian style to the birthday party, go for the Luau party. You can ask your guests to come in Hawaiian attire.

It is a great way to celebrate your birthday party if it happens in the summertime. First, decorate the entire place with the luau theme. Then, get a good chef who can prepare the Luau dishes for all the guests.

Plays some Hawaiian music in the background to bring more vibe to the party.

51. Volunteer

How about spreading some love on this special day? You can consider doing some volunteering activities on your birthday.

You can check online for volunteer opportunities in your area. It is a good idea to visit the local library and do reading to the kids.

You can also consider visiting animal shelters and taking care of them. It is a good idea to donate some dog food when you go to these places.

52. Popcorn Party

Another idea that you can consider is the popcorn party. If you are a lady who plans to celebrate her 20th birthday with her girlfriends, you can go to the popcorn party. It would be good to check with your friends to ensure they like popcorn.

You can arrange different flavors of popcorn for the party. Popcorn is best when it is hot. So, you can hire a chef and set up a popcorn counter in your place.

Try getting different flavors of popcorn like classic salty, butter, caramel, chocolate, etc. You must also arrange some drinks that go well with the popcorn.