40th birthday party ideas: 40 ways to celebrate in style

While here at SquareMeal, we’re certainly supporters of the idea every birthday deserves a big celebration, turning 40 is definitely a milestone to mark in a special way. Whether you'd prefer to keep things low-key (but special), or want to go all out – after all, you only turn the big 4-0 once in your life – our list of 40th birthday party ideas has something suitable for all budgets, dreams and desires.

We know that there’s so much to consider when planning a birthday celebration – some people don’t love the attention to be solely on them, while others want to make it a party for the ages. There’s a lot more to consider, too, including your venue, or whether you’ll invite guests over to your home, if you’d prefer to hop on a plane or stay close to home.

Perhaps it’s the style of birthday celebration that’s most important to you, and you want something that will really surprise your friends and family, or need to keep things budget friendly. Whatever the case, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our long list of the best 40th birthday party ideas, including nights in with pals, pool parties in the summer months, and time spent in luxury hotels.

So what are you waiting for? Start flicking through our list of the best birthday party ideas for upcoming 40th celebrations today. Perhaps you’re planning for a loved one, or still have a few years to go and want to get ahead of the game. We’ve got celebration options for all preferences of style, a number of themes to consider, and ideas for every budget.

Whatever you decide for your 40th birthday, you deserve it! You’ve grown through four decades of life, experienced ups and downs, and now, this next big milestone is here to remind you of your wonderful presence in the world.

Unique 40th birthday party ideas

Celebrating a 40th deserves a bash that's guaranteed to live on in people's memories for years to come. Throw a party that's as unique as you are with these quirky ideas.

1. Hire a party bus

Now THIS is our kind of party bus. All aboard Brigit's afternoon tea bus tour!

A party bus is a super fun way to celebrate your 40th birthday. Kitted out with lights, your favourite music and all that you need for a good time, you don’t really need to go anywhere to have fun for your 40th. If it was our party bus, we’d request plenty of Vengaboys tunes.

2. Host a party themed around your favourite show

Game of Thrones, Bridgerton or Star Wars... Whatever your favourite TV show, film or book series, an opportunity to dress up in themed costume will often go down a treat, especially if it’s for a special occasion like your 40th birthday.

3. Book a pottery party

Lots of companies now offer pottery parties, which are great for birthday celebrations. Try your hand at throwing on the wheel or hand building, and leave with a creation that will remind you of the year you turned 40.

4. Take a tour of a brewery or distillery

Take a tour of Bombay Sapphire Distillery in Hampshire

Whisky, beer or cider, whatever your tipple, there are many fantastic, award-winning breweries and distilleries dotted around the country that are the perfect place for a daytrip. If you like to get out and about on your birthday, and want to mix fun with a bit of education, consider a brewery or distillery.

5. Spend a night at the museum

Lots of big museums are now offering evening events, as a way to draw in more visitors and make the museum experience a little more interactive. Look at what’s on at your local museum and you may just be in luck – you may even have the chance to sleep under the dinosaurs.

Relaxing 40th birthday party ideas

Don't fancy the hassle of throwing a mega party for your 40th? You do you. Why not book something a little more relaxing instead, like a sourdough-baking class or an at-home spa day with pals. 

6. Host a paint and sip get together, to show off your creative skills

Book one of the best paint and sip classes in London for a fun-filled afternoon of painting and Prosecco!

A paint and sip can focus on crafting almost anything, and be budget friendly or bougie. Stock up on mugs, bowls or photo frames, and get stuck into crafting at home with your friends. Paired with a glass of fizz, this activity will go down a treat.

7. Plan a tea party in the garden

Prefer a venue to do the hard work instead? The Coach Clerkenwell offers lovely gardens for a summery bash

More popular since the boom of Bridgerton, refined afternoon tea parties can be the epitome of luxury. It’s your 40th birthday after all, so what better time to let the Champagne flow, and enjoy your favourite sweet treats in your best frock.

To make your birthday even more of an event, consider hiring one of London's best garden party venues, filled with beautiful gardens and courtyards.

8. Learn to make sourdough

Make your 40th birthday a bread party with a sourdough class! There are so many baking, bread and pastry classes out there, many of which offer a glass of fizz and the chance to sit down and try your creations. Could this fifth decade be your sourdough era? Find a baking class (and more) in our guide to the best cooking classes in London and the UK. 

9. Plan a no phones party

If you want to relax and enjoy the company of your loved ones on your birthday, forget about technology and make it a no phones party. You’ll be surprised just how much you have to talk about!

10. Organise a birthday brunch

1 Lombard Street serves one of our favourite fancy brunches in the heart of the City

The perfect way to celebrate a slow, relaxing birthday, brunch is perfectly suited to a joyful 40th birthday. Start your day with brunch in your favourite local cafe with your best pals, and make sure to order those extra sides – you deserve them. 

Choose from our pick of the best London brunches around, or if you'd like to amp up the party vibes, then one of the best bottomless brunches in London is a surefire winner. 

11. Bring the spa home

A relaxing massage and refreshing foot spa is just what you need to make your way into the next decade. Put your favourite skin care products, cotton towels and scented candles out on display and invite your friends over for a relaxing afternoon.

Luxury 40th birthday party ideas

If you're the sort of person who loves to be pampered on their birthday, then our list of luxury birthday party ideas is sure to be a great fit. Ring in the start of your forties with a Michelin meal, a private dining experience, or even a glamorous ball complete with a Champagne tower!

12. Book a private dining room with your closest friends

Bar Crispin (left) boasts an atmospheric private dining room for intimate gatherings, while Casa do Frango (right) is perfect for relaxed events

If you love to spend your free time trying out new restaurants, consider booking a private dining room and enjoy a little privacy with your close friends on your 40th birthday. It’s perfect for those who blush when the cake comes out during happy birthday! Check out our round-up of the best private dining rooms for birthdays in London for everything from fun to fancy options. 

13. Go to a Michelin star restaurant

Need a recommendation? The Ninth (left) or Galvin La Chapelle (right) offer staggering interiors and next-level food for a birthday party

Treat yourself to a memorable meal out with a reservation at a Michelin starred restaurant. Thanks to their impressive credentials, whichever Michelin starred restaurant you choose to celebrate your 40th birthday at, you’ll be in for a real treat. Prefer to book something a little more exclusive? Check out the best luxury and Michelin star private dining rooms in London.

14. Hire a private chef

Similarly fancy to booking a private dining room, but perhaps an edge more luxurious, hiring a private chef gives you the opportunity to enjoy a meal of your choosing, in a place that you’d be excited to celebrate in. If you’ve been planning on a big 40th birthday celebration, hiring a private chef will make it a year to remember.

15. Plan a ball

Incredibly bougie – a ball is certainly an impressive way to celebrate turning 40. Theme yours around golden glamour, ask guests to wear masks, and serve a Champagne tower, you’ll be left with memories to last a lifetime.

16. Spend a night at the ballet

Have you always dreamed of front row tickets to the ballet? Make it happen for your 40th birthday and have your breath taken away with a visit to one of The Royal Ballet performances.

Outdoor 40th birthday party ideas

More of an outdoorsy type? If a boozy brunch isn't quite up your alley, have a browse of these awesome alfresco ideas, from mini golf to a trip to a vineyard. 

17. Go to a vineyard and sip on local wines

Denbies Wine Estate hosts both indoor and outdoor wine tours with the option to upgrade to include lunch, afternoon tea or a gin tasting!

Although much of our wine is sourced from South Africa, New Zealand and Italy, we have some incredible vineyards right here in the UK. For your 40th birthday celebration, take a trip to one of the vineyards near you and learn about local wine.

18. Have a big BBQ party

If your 40th birthday falls in one of the warmer months of the year, consider hosting a big BBQ bash with all of your loved ones. Stock up on your favourite meats, big bowls of salads and homemade cakes, and make it a celebration of love.

19. Throw a pool party at your local lido

Thames Lido in Berkshire is available to hire for parties and has it's own Spanish restaurant on site.

Make the most of local facilities and host your 40th birthday bash at the lido. Hopefully, for your big day the sun will be shining, and a birthday pool party always sounds like a good idea.

20. Take a spooky tour

Find out about the local haunted houses in your area and head out for the day to learn more about local crime, mystery and supernatural tales.

21. Go mini-golfing

We love Swingers for its glamorous interiors, nine-hole course, and delicious street food in the West End.

If you like friendly competition and want to spend your 40th birthday out in the sunshine, enjoying a few laughs at your attempts to get a hole in one, think about mini-golfing. There are plenty of different mini golf set ups around the country, with wacky themes and varying levels of intensity. Luckily, the capital is filled with quirky courses to test your skills. Discover the best crazy golf courses in London.

22. Host a high-end picnic

If you’re blessed to have your birthday during the warmer months then think about hosting a bougie picnic. Think champagne served alongside a hamper of goodies from your favourite restaurant, all finished off with a decadent 40th birthday cake from your local baker.

Memorable 40th birthday party ideas

Want your 40th birthday party to be one for the ages? These memorable ideas are sure to leave a lasting impression, and you don't need to spend a fortune either.

23. Spend time volunteering

Mark this new decade doing something that will give back to others. Think of a charity or organisation close to your heart and dedicate some time on your birthday volunteering – it’ll be a birthday to remember.

24. Have a magic party

Invite a magician over to surprise and delight your guests – with options of cheesy magic tricks and rabbits in hats, or more illusion based performances. If you’re feeling extra fancy, make it black tie.

25. Host a murder mystery party

Feeling inspired by a recent read, or want to act out your inner Poirot? Plan a murder mystery party! You could host one at home or choose to hire a spooky manor in the countryside, the world is your oyster. Just try not to draw the murderer card…

26. Plan a birthday disco

For the dancers out there, a birthday disco is just the ticket for a memorable birthday party, and, being an 80s baby, disco is in your veins. Get a soundtrack started of all your favourite hits, fill up the bubble machine and spin the disco ball – this is your night to shine.

27. Hire a rooftop

Throw a pool into the mix with private roof hire at art’otel London Battersea Power Station. Your guests will love it! 

There's no refuting that drinking cocktails on a rooftop with your nearest and dearest is memorable. Browse London's best rooftops available for private hire that boast sweeping views of the capital, from award-winning bars to cosy pub top beer gardens.

Cool 40th birthday party ideas

What constitutes a 'cool' birthday party is subjective to the party-goer, but we like to think these ideas are universally considered fun and trendy. Cocktail masterclasses, costume parties and karaoke are all timeless, anyway!

28. Host a costume party where everybody dresses as something beginning with the first letter of your name

Make your 40th all about you and let your loved ones know that they need to dress as something beginning with the first letter of your name for your birthday bash. Your gang will no doubt have some hilarious ideas amongst them, which will make for a memorable affair.

29. Book a cocktail masterclass

Learn to shake up a top tier martini on your 40th birthday with a cocktail masterclass at your favourite bar. Gather your friends and make a night of it, beginning with learning some new skills before a night on the town. Would rather someone else does the mixing for you? Here's where to go for the best cocktails in London.

30. Stay at a boutique hotel in a picture perfect city

For a real treat, Moor Hall and The Barn at Moor Hall offer Michelin-starred dining experiences with stunning boutique rooms to retreat to at the end of the evening

Treat yourself on your 40th birthday to a booking at a boutique hotel in a city you’ve longed to visit. There are so many great independent hotels to explore, many with their own bars, restaurants and spas, that make them a one-stop-shop for a perfect getaway weekend. Our guide to the best restaurants with rooms in the UK is a great place to start.

31. Hire a private karaoke room

Not sure where to book? Lucky Voice is one of the most popular venues in the capital, with private booths, delicious cocktails and a library of over 11,000 songs

Sing your heart out to your favourite rock n roll classics or take part in a Disney duet in your very own, private karaoke room. A great way to celebrate a milestone birthday like your 40th, a karaoke booth gives you the privacy to ambitiously reach for those almost impossible notes. Explore London's best karaoke bars to unleash your inner diva and let those vocal chords loose!

32. Learn to make pasta at a local class

Love the idea of a pasta cooking class? The Avenue Cookery School hosts classes where you can learn to make authentic fresh pasta!

Learning a skill that you’ll be able to use for years to come is a great way to celebrate your 40th birthday. Try your hand at a pasta class and you’ll have the skills you need to cook up a real Italian feast for friends and family for your 41st birthday.

33. Have an 80s themed party

Being a baby of the 80s, you were born in one of the coolest decades. Cabbage Patch dolls, the Rubik's Cube, Boomboxes and the Walkman – this is a decade of pure genius. If you love a themed party, why not consider an 80s themed birthday shindig, and get ordering your neon leg warmers.

34. Take a glimpse into the future

Invite your guests around for a fortune telling experience, and make a night of it. During your party, you’ll get to think about what the next decade might look like for you. We’re hoping it's a good one!

Affordable 40th birthday party ideas

It's a misconception that you have to spend a fortune to have a good time. These affordable birthday party ideas are just as fun as something more lavish (maybe even better). The main thing is that you're surrounded by friends and family on your big day.

35. Have a games night in with your favourite board games

Ditch the big night out and have a relaxing night in with your favourite board games. Ask your friends to bring around their vintage versions of Trivial Pursuit and Twister, and get stuck into the fun. Just make sure that nobody gets too competitive – it’s your big day after all!

36. Host a pyjama party

For those who want to keep the cost low and enjoy a relaxing 40th birthday, a pyjama party is a fantastic option. You could even incorporate a theme for your birthday sleepover – centred around your favourite colour, or all wear onesies.

37. Host a family sports day

Another super fun activity for your 40th birthday, and perhaps the most competitive of all, is a family sports day. Think back to all the fun you had in your school sports days, and get prepared with eggs and spoons, beanbags and old potato sacks, and you’ll have the time of your life.

38. Invite friends over for a potluck dinner

Ask your friends to each bring over their best dish and put on a little buffet. You’ll have a royal feast for your 40th birthday, and get to taste creations that your friends are proud of.

39. Host a movie marathon party

Level up your movie night by taking over one of Curzon's boutique screening rooms - with sites in Bloomsbury, Canterbury, Colchester, Kingston upon Thames, Oxford and Victoria.

Grab some of your favourite snacks, plenty of drinks and call your friends – it’s time for a movie night. As it’s your 40th birthday, you get total say over what films you’ll watch, so get those rom-com marathons lined up.

40. Have a virtual party

If you’ve got friends overseas and still want to celebrate with them, consider hosting a virtual party. All guests can get dressed up, order in your favourite takeaway and open a bottle of wine – this is a party with no cleaning up!

Hiring a 40th birthday party venue

If you’re looking to host a 40th birthday party that really stands out, consider hiring a venue. Celebrating this wonderful milestone can be made all the more special with a space of your own, such as a private dining room, area in a bar, restaurant, or an event space fit with a dancefloor. If you’ve decided that hiring a venue for your birthday party is for you, there’s much to consider, and we’re here to help.

You’ll want to think about the hire cost of your venue first of all, taking a look at spaces that fit within your budget. You may also want to consider travel and accommodation for your guests, and think about flexibility with capacity, catering and decoration. Luckily, you can find a birthday party venue in your chosen location easily, using our handy SquareMeal tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to make a 40th birthday party special?

Making your 40th birthday party special isn’t just about where you host or the food you enjoy. Rather, it is largely about those that you surround yourself with. Before you choose your party venue, you may want to take a look at your guest list, and consider whether you’d be better suited to planning a grand affair or something more relaxed.

How do people celebrate turning 40?

There are so many ways that you could celebrate turning 40. First of all, reaching this milestone of four decades of life is something of a celebration in itself! If you want to celebrate with your partner, family or friends, there are plenty of ways that you could mark this milestone. Or, if you’d rather spend the day with yourself, reflecting on the decade past, you could choose to donate your time to charity, treat yourself to your favourite things, or book a trip to look forward to.

What is the best theme for a 40th birthday party?

For a big celebration like your 40th birthday, you should consider choosing a theme to remember. You could ask guests to dress up as you at a memorable, earlier point in your life, or make it a grand affair with a black and white dress code. Traditionally, rubies represent a 40th celebration, so why not go all out and make your party red, glitzy and glam.

Know someone soon to be an official adult?! Check out these fantastic 18th birthday party ideas.