37 Wonderful 35th Birthday Ideas for 2025
Turning 35 isn’t just about getting older — the right 35th birthday ideas allow you to reflect on all the experiences and relationships that have made your life special over the years. Since 35 is quite a big milestone, you might be asking yourself, how can I celebrate my birthday uniquely?
Whether you’re a homebody who prefers a low-key gathering of your closest friends and family or you want to go big with an epic vacation, there are so many fun ways to mark this important occasion.
From 35th birthday ideas for him to unique 35th birthday ideas for a woman, this list has something for everyone. Take a road trip, have a relaxing spa day, go wine tasting or explore indoor birthday party ideas like a masquerade ball. No matter how you choose to ring in 35, these 35th birthday ideas make for a fun and memorable time.
Jump to Section
- Unique 35th Birthday Ideas
- Top 35th Birthday Ideas
- 35th Birthday Ideas for a Woman
- 35th Birthday Ideas for a Man
- 35th Birthday Ideas FAQs
Unique 35th Birthday Ideas
1. Paint and Sip Classes
Is there anything better than the combination of wine and painting? If you’re looking for laid-back, relaxing 35th birthday ideas, consider paint and sips in Appleton, Kansas City or Oklahoma City.
There are even online paint and sip classes if you aren’t local to any of those areas! You don’t need any prior artistic skills because talented instructors are there to show you the ropes.
Have a great time painting a lovely picture you can keep forever, sipping wine and, most importantly, celebrating the occasion.
2. Mixology Classes
35th birthday ideas usually involve a few drinks, and you can toast to the birthday celebrant with mixology classes in the Bay Area, Miami or San Diego. Learn how to make your own drinks and use your newfound skills to be the unofficial bartender at future social gatherings.
3. Cooking Classes
You can’t go wrong with cooking classes in Boca Raton, St. Louis or Detroit for 35th birthday ideas. Bonus points if you can find one that involves making one of the celebrant’s favorite foods!
Working together to create a new dish is a great bonding activity for couples, friends and family, and expert instructors walk you through every step of the process.
4. Movie Night
A classic movie night is one of those 35th birthday ideas that will have you feeling like a teenager again. Pop some popcorn and get an assortment of candy for everyone to munch on while you watch movies.
Whether the birthday guy or gal opts for a romantic comedy or a slasher movie, rest assured, this will be a night for the books.
5. Road Trip
A road trip is one of the best 35th birthday ideas for adventurous types. Whether you head to the beach, the mountains or just hop in the car and see where you end up, road trips are great bonding experiences.
Laugh, share stories and listen to your favorite tunes on the way. See just how joyful turning 35 can be.
6. Masquerade Ball
If you’re looking for 35th birthday ideas on the fancier side, a masquerade ball is a fun excuse to dress up. Encourage attendees to wear their finest dress or tux and a mask — with everyone’s face hidden, will anyone even know who the guest of honor is?
Whatever you do, don’t forget to set up a photo booth. Parties like this don’t happen every day, so the memories deserve to be captured.
7. Blast From The Past
You may not be able to stop the hands of time, but you can turn them back for a day with 35th birthday ideas like a retro-themed party.
Hosting this at a roller rink would be really fun, but you can also do it at home. If you’re going for an ‘80s theme, neon lights and music-themed decorations give such a nostalgic vibe.
8. Murder Mystery Dinner
Interactive 35th birthday ideas get all the guests involved in the fun. Choose a theme, give everyone a role and provide clues to help them guess “whodunit.”
9. Board Game Tournament
Getting older doesn’t have to mean letting your inner child die. A board game tournament is one of the most nostalgic 35th birthday ideas.
Guests can go head-to-head with each other, letting the winners of each game advance to the next one until there are no more left and a winner is crowned.
10. Visit an Amusement Park
Spending the day at an amusement park is great if you’re looking for 35th birthday ideas that channel your inner child. Rides, games and nostalgic foods like funnel cake won’t leave you longing for the good old days because you’ll realize they’re still here.
11. Karaoke Night
35th birthday ideas are no time to be shy. Sing along to all of your favorite songs with a karaoke night. From classic tunes to modern hits, belt it out and let the world (or just your friend group) hear your voice.
12. Rent a Mansion
If your motto for 35th birthday ideas is “go big or go home,” renting a mansion for the night is an epic way to celebrate.
You can find them on vacation rental sites, and everyone can split the cost to make it more affordable. Feel like a millionaire as you roam the hallways and enjoy all of the amenities.
13. Take a Trip Overseas
Another way to go big with 35th birthday ideas is by taking an international trip to a bucket-list destination. An excursion like this is also great for 30th birthday party ideas or other important milestones.
Top 35th Birthday Ideas
14. Pottery Classes
If you’re looking for low-key 35th birthday ideas, pottery classes in Columbus, Miami or Portland are perfect. The birthday person can spend time with their favorite people while creating a unique piece of pottery to take home.
Birthday party activities like this allow adults to unwind while bonding over a shared experience.
15. Beach Bash
Summer 35th birthday ideas are all about staying cool, and a beach bash is the perfect solution. Catching some rays with your toes in the sand is one of the most relaxing ways to celebrate a birthday. Either make it a day trip or rent a beach house for an extra special time.
16. Costume Party
Whether or not it’s October, costume parties are always in style for 35th birthday ideas. It’s fun to see what all of the guests come dressed as, and you can even set a specific theme to amp up the creativity.
17. Cruise
Set sail for the tropics on a cruise if you’re looking for 35th birthday ideas that go all-out. Cruises are great for any milestone birthday, so if you can’t swing it this time around, keep it in mind for 40th birthday gift ideas.
18. Pool Party
There’s no party like a pool party! This is the pinnacle of summer 35th birthday ideas. Play some upbeat music, get inflatable rafts and have coolers filled with cold drinks for everyone to enjoy while soaking up the sun.
If you’re thinking about celebrating outdoors, these outdoor birthday party ideas offer even more ways to take the fun outside — from casual cookouts to creative-themed gatherings.
19. Wine Tasting
If there’s a winery near you, wine tasting is one of the greatest 35th birthday ideas. A beautiful setting, fine wine and a group of your closest friends — what’s not to love?
Even if you don’t have a local winery, you can still go for a wine tasting at a nice restaurant or do a DIY version at home.
20. Pizza Party
Reminisce on school days with a pizza party. This is one of the easiest 35th birthday ideas to put together, and you can elevate it a bit by opting for artisan pizzas instead of a takeout chain. Or turn it into a build-your-own pizza party where everyone can make their own.
21. Go Skydiving
35th birthday ideas can be a great opportunity for an adrenaline rush. If you’ve never gone skydiving before, there’s no time like the present!
22. Black and White Party
This is one of the most elegant 35th birthday party ideas by far. Rent a party room at a nice restaurant and turn it into a black-tie affair with white floral centerpieces and black-and-white balloons.
Tell everyone to dress up in their nicest tuxedos and dresses (all black and white, of course) and celebrate in style.
23. Destination Celebration
Traveling isn’t always a possibility, but you can get creative with 35th birthday ideas and pretend you’re somewhere else. Choose a destination the celebrant loves or has always wanted to visit, then transform the venue into that place with themed food, décor and activities.
35th Birthday Ideas for a Woman
24. Garden Brunch
Either turn your backyard into a beautiful garden with lots of colorful flower arrangements or host the party at a botanical garden or nature center.
Serve mimosas or Bloody Marys, some light bites like sandwiches and salads and encourage everyone to wear frilly, floral outfits. Unique 35th birthday ideas for a woman don’t get much more magical than this.
25. Slumber Party
Throw it back to childhood with a classic slumber party. The best 35th birthday party ideas let you reminisce on the past while also celebrating another trip around the sun and this definitely fits the bill. You can tell ghost stories, watch movies or paint each other’s nails just like the good old days.
26. Rosé All Day
This fun play on words is one of the best 35th birthday ideas for women. Decorate beautiful roses in various colors and have plenty of rosé at the ready to top off everyone’s glass.
27. Roaring ‘20s
Are you looking for 35th birthday party ideas that turn up the glitz and glamour? A 1920s-themed party inspired by The Great Gatsby is a natural choice. Set up a cocktail bar and tell everyone to come dressed like a flapper girl with feathered headpieces and sparkly outfits.
28. Disco Ball
Dance your way into 35 underneath a giant disco ball and neon lights. Encourage guests to wear platform shoes, jumpsuits or bell-bottom pants and boogie until you can’t anymore. This is one of the grooviest 35th birthday ideas!
29. Tea Party
Tea parties aren’t just for kids — they also make great 35th birthday ideas. Serve finger sandwiches, pastries and loose-leaf teas for a perfectly posh celebration.
30. Jewelry-Making Party
A jewelry-making party is great for a 35th birthday woman who enjoys a more subdued celebration. Set up a table with various metals and stones so guests can make their own necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.
31. Fashion Show
Fashionistas deserve 35th birthday ideas where no outfit is too loud. Create a makeshift runway and let all the guests model different looks. Designate someone as the photographer so the birthday girl feels like a celebrity supermodel.
32. Parisian Party
If jetting off to Paris isn’t an option, bring Paris to you! This is a fun way to make 35th birthday ideas special on a budget. Set out croissants and other French pastries, get an Eiffel Tower centerpiece for the table and fill the room with more Paris-inspired décor.
33. Spa Day
The birthday girl deserves a day of pampering at the spa. She’ll feel like a new woman after a facial, massage, or any other treatment her heart desires. It can be a solo affair or an outing with her best gal pals.
Spas can be pricey, so if you need a budget-friendly option, an at-home spa day with face masks and manicures/pedicures is just as fun. This is perfect if you need 35th birthday ideas for your wife because she’ll feel so loved and cared for.
35th Birthday Ideas for a Man
34. Go Sailing
Whether it’s a yacht or a fishing boat, sailing is one of the best 35th birthday ideas for men who like spending time on the water. Bring some drinks and snacks on board and chart a course for 35.
35. BBQ Cookout
If there’s one thing guys love, it’s grilling. A cookout is perfect for summertime 35th birthday ideas for him, especially with some fun lawn games like cornhole. Grill up some burgers, steaks or hot dogs and have a blast in the sunshine.
36. Casino Party
Going to the casino to try your luck can be fun, but hosting a casino party at home is one of the most unique 35th birthday ideas for your husband (or any guy in your life).
Set up tables for card games like poker and blackjack as well as other games like roulette, and tell everyone to wear their swankiest attire.
37. Go Camping
Outdoorsy 35th birthday ideas like camping are great for guys who love roughing it. Whether you take a trip to a national park or set up camp somewhere local, nothing beats spending the day in nature and making homemade s’mores over a fire at night while sharing stories.
35th Birthday Ideas FAQs
What Is the 35th Birthday Anniversary Called?
While there is no exact name for a 35th birthday anniversary, Quintricennial is the term for 35th anniversaries in general.
You may also hear it referred to as the “Coral Anniversary,” although that’s more common for wedding anniversaries. This milestone is traditionally associated with coral, so if you need gifts for a 35th birthday woman, a pretty coral necklace would be nice.
How Do You Celebrate Your 35?
If you’re turning 35 soon, you may be wondering, what are some great 35th birthday ideas for myself? Or perhaps you need 35th birthday ideas for your wife that will make her feel like the most important person in your life (because she is!).
No matter what you’re looking for, there’s no rulebook for 35th birthday ideas. The most important thing is that the birthday person feels special, so the theme, including the food, venue and decorations, should be tailored to their interests and personality.
According to Brittanica, birthdays have only been celebrated among the general population since the 19th century — which is fairly recent in the grand scheme of things. That means we’re still writing history when it comes to how to celebrate, and there’s no one “right” way to do it.
35th birthday ideas can be as simple or as over-the-top as you want them to be. Something big like a cruise is more common for 30th birthday gift ideas, but it also works for a 35th birthday. On the other end of the spectrum, intimate gatherings such as a dinner party can be nice for people who don’t like making a big to-do out of their birthday.
If you need 35th birthday ideas for a woman in your life, 35th birthday ideas for your husband or if you’re planning your own party and looking up “35th birthday ideas for myself”, hopefully, you found something here that caught your eye.
No matter what theme or activity you choose for 35th birthday ideas, remember to have fun in the process. The party is a manifestation of everyone’s excitement to celebrate the guest of honor, so it needs to be special — but the people in attendance are the most important “decoration” of all.
For even more great birthday ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
