30th Birthday Party Ideas: Ideas, Venues, Themes, and Activities in LA

Turning 30 is a major milestone worthy of an epic celebration! If you’re planning an unforgettable 30th birthday party for a best friend, or loved one in Los Angeles, we’ve got you covered with our unique birthday ideas.

Whether your style is boho chic, classic Hollywood glam, or laid back and adventurous, there are so many ways to make a 30th birthday party something special. Add touches that speak to the guest of honor’s personality. Or go all out with an over-the-top theme like masquerade ball or  tropical paradise getaway—the options are endless! 

With LA’s incredible restaurants, bars, activities and breathtaking settings, you’re sure to find inspiration for a memorable 30th birthday party. Get ready to celebrate this milestone in serious style!

🎈🥳Classic 30th Birthday Ideas in LA  

A classic birthday party can be lots of fun if it’s planned right. While some might think “classic” is boring, it doesn’t have to be with the right venue and activities! From brunches to pool parties and surprise celebrations, classics can be a hit when you plan right!

1.  A Surprise Birthday Party

Celebrate all night long! Some may not look forward to turning 30 since it means growing another year older. A surprise party shows that you still know how to enjoy life’s sweet surprises! 

Make the celebration unique with a venue like The Secret Garden Loft in Hollywood. The venue offers everything you need for a one-of-a-kind celebration, including a sound system, DJ booth, projector, bar, and more for an epic, unforgettable bash! Keep it secret, get the guest of honor there casually, and have everyone jump out and yell “Surprise!” when the time is right.

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💡 Need some advice on how to host a surprise party? Check out our top tips to help you pull off a successful birthday party!

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2. Pool Party

A pool party is a timeless LA birthday tradition on warm summer days. Nothing beats splashing and relaxing poolside for a July or August birthday, as you enjoy your favorite cocktails and views. 

Make it extra fun with a themed dress code or decor in the guest of honor’s  favorite color! If you are looking for some great pool party themes, check out this Pinterest board!

Now, what about the location? While LA certainly has no shortage of great venues with a pool, we especially love the Cabra Pool Deck for its panoramic downtown views, delicious Peruvian fare, and sun-soaked patio—all perfect for a party to remember!

3. Brunch Birthday Party

Brunches are a timeless birthday party idea no matter your age. They’re also convenient to plan without months of work. To make the most of this event, we recommend making sure that you focus on finding a brunch venue and menu that will level up your birthday party game. 

The Cat & Fiddle Pub Restaurant features a stunning patio that can instantly make the birthday celebrant feel great about turning 30!

4. Dance Party

Ooh, see that girl
Watch that scene
Digging the dancing queen

Bust a move for your 30th! You’ve still got the energy to dance all night long. For something new, organize a private dance class at a studio for the guest of honor and their crew to learn K-pop, ballet, or other fun styles!

Check LA’s top dance studios and pick one with a well-lit space if you want to capture the fun on camera.

5. Picnic Party

Grab your picnic baskets and get ready for a birthday picnic in one of LA’s many lush parks.  A birthday picnic is a fun way to get out, bask in the sun and spend quality time with friends and family. 

Rather than overspending at a restaurant or rushing your birthday gathering, a birthday picnic allows you to take your time and savor every moment of your special day. 

Griffith Park, Lake Hollywood Park, and Palisades Park are some of the city’s fantastic green spots where you can throw a birthday picnic! If you need some inspiration on how to throw a spectacular event, check out these birthday picnic ideas.

🕺💃 Fun 30th Birthday Ideas

Is your bff or spouse a fun-loving person who wants to celebrate their special day in an entertaining way but you have no clue how to make them happy on their birthday? We feel you! There are many convivial and lively places where you can keep them amped up about turning 30! Let’s dive right into our fun 30th birthday party ideas!

6. Beer Party

Thanks to beer gardens, you have the perfect spot for a lively, casual 30th birthday gathering. Beer parties are a great birthday event  if the guest of honor wants a chill vibe. Add cheese boards, games like darts or beer pong, shot glasses filled with craft brews, and a birthday quiz about the birthday honoree!

Celebrate like there’s no tomorrow, keep the drinks flowing, and prepare for epic birthday memories!

7. Movie Night at a Private Cinema

Cinema lovers can celebrate Hollywood-style at a private theater like the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown. Enjoy cocktails and bottomless popcorn while watching favorite flicks on the big screen! Or book the Dolby Screening Room and fully immerse the guest of honor in their favorite movie.

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💡 Are you searching for the best creative birthday ideas in LA?
From a movie night at a private cinema to a Hallloween-inspired birthday party, we have over 15 original ideas for a creative birthday celebration!

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8. Murder Mystery Dinner Party

Murder mysteries make for unexpected and exciting birthday parties! For a fan of detective shows, let them play Sherlock and solve a mystery scripted by Jest Murder Mystery.

Just pick a place and time, and they’ll plan the clues, suspects, and more! Then the guest of honor can  unravel the plot and uncover the criminal! It’s an epic way to celebrate entering a new decade.

9. Escape the Room

Since we are already talking about adding some drama to the birthday party, how can we skip escape rooms?

Escape rooms are fun for everyone and can quickly get all guests involved. At Battleground VR, you can immerse yourself in adventure, discovery and games—taking any birthday to the next level. Let the guest of honor be the hero of their own story! Head to the Battleground VR, where you can throw an escape room birthday party!

10. Halloween Birthday Party

I always feel like somebody’s watching me🎶

If the birthday honoree is a fan of the spooky season, it’s time for a Halloween-themed birthday bash! 

For Halloween lovers, think edible eyeballs, spiderwebs, black balloons, and a coffin cake for a themed-party! Commemorate getting another year older by burying 29 and letting 30 creep out.

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💡 You don’t have to wait till October for a Halloween-themed birthday party! If the birthday celebrant loves the spooky season, throw them a thriller night at any time of the year. Check out  our Halloween birthday party ideas for some inspiration.

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11. Virtual Games All Day

Are you still a child at heart? We get you! At Zone Head, the guest of honor can explore laser tag, puzzles, and future gaming in virtual worlds. Let the birthday VIP be the hero of their own virtual adventure story!

12. Catch a Game

Watching sports is a great and entertaining way to enjoy a birthday. What better place to watch a game than in LA?

To make sure you get great tickets it is important to plan ahead! Seeing a game on their big day is sure to be a slam dunk!

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💡 It’s time for a unique birthday celebration!
Plan a party that’s as unique as your bff. Our 19 fun and exciting birthday ideas to try out in LA are inspirational! Explore great tips in this quick 5-minute read.

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13. Axe-Throwing

If your bestie is looking for ways to blow off some steam, an axe throwing session with their favorite crew is just what they might need. Axe throwing is one of those activities that sounds scary but is not! All you have to do is throw an axe at a wooden target–exceptional strength is not required.

14. Zoo Day

Is it weird to celebrate a birthday party at a zoo? Not at all! From toddlers to adults, anyone can enjoy their special day  at a zoo. A zoo party is a great way for you and your guests to reconnect with nature while snapping cute animal pics.

Animal-lovers will enjoy spending their special day seeing alligators, binturongs, otters and more, among the 270+ species at the LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens. It’s educational, lively and fun!

15. Boulder Climbing

Adrenaline junkies will love a boulder climbing birthday! 

LA Boulders offers climbing classes, private classes, and group events that you can certainly try out for a birthday celebration! And guess what? Follow it up with yoga for the ultimate birthday activity bash!

16. Get Your Fortune Told

Are you ready to find out what the future holds for your bff?

Whether the birthday honoree believes or not, getting their fortune told makes for a lively, mystical party. Add other activities like crafting or wine tasting too! Check LA’s top clairvoyants and have them reveal what the future holds for the birthday boy or girl!

17. Go Glamping 

LA is filled with great places to celebrate under the stars! Pack your backpacks and find a cozy spot to drop your bags and enjoy the wilderness or go the classy way and try Hipcamp to party in a cabin, yurt, or a treehouse! 

Big Bear, Moonrise Ranch, Joshua Tree, and Temecula are some of the most common camping spots in LA. So what are you waiting for? Get ready for eating some delicious roasted s’mores and sipping your favorite hot drink among the beautiful tall trees!

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💡 Planning  a unique birthday party and don’t have any clue how to get started?
Take a look at our 30+ exciting birthday ideas to make your party a night to remember!

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🍾🎁 Elegant 30th Birthday Party Ideas

Turning 30 is a big deal and it requires a birthday celebration that’s as special as the celebrant! Whether the guest of honor prefers to go on a retreat or celebrate in style at a lavish mansion, we’ve got classy 30th birthday ideas that will make them glad for another year of growth and wisdom!

18. Lavish Birthday Bash at a Mansion

A 30th birthday deserves a grand celebration, so gather your friends and rent a glamorous mansion like Summit Mansion in Beverly Hills. With breathtaking city and ocean views, it will make the birthday VIP feel like a million bucks!

This property offers breathtaking views of the city, canyon, and Santa Monica Bay and will make the celebrant feel like they’re worth a million bucks! Celebrate in a venue where circadian lighting, a custom glass elevator, and indoor and outdoor bars make any birthday honoree feel like a star!

19. A Private Affair

For some, an intimate dinner is a lot more charming and comfortable than a huge party. At a private venue like Chulita’s patio, the party guests can indulge in great food and conversation away from noise and crowds. Rent this bright, breezy Tulum-inspired space for a special night with your favorite people.

Chulita’s Rear Patio is a unique space featuring a Tulum inspired decor that would fit a tropical-themed birthday dinner. The venue can accommodate all types of dietary restrictions, needs, and aesthetics and design a special menu just for your bff. 

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💡 Host a birthday dinner to remember for your loved one! Browse through our 15+ ideas for a unique celebration in LA.

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20. Plan a Staycation

What’s better than a birthday party in LA? A staycation at a unique location like The Historic Bembridge House!

For a dreamy LA birthday staycation, book the historic 1906 Bembridge House! This Victorian landmark estate makes history lovers feel special. Give the privilege of spending the night in this architectural gem listed on the National Register of Historic Places to the guest of honor for a truly memorable birthday.

21. Go Wine Tasting

Wine flies when you are having fun!

At least that’s how any wine lover celebrating their 30th birthday would feel at The North End!

Host a private wine tasting session or party for the guest of honor at North End’s private booth. This spot is a hidden gem in Hollywood boulevard, far from tourist-trap themed bars and clubs. Bring in your entertainment, your wine connoisseur and your favorite wines to party all night!

21. Gatsby-Inspired Birthday Party

Channel the lavish Roaring Twenties with a glamorous Great Gatsby party! Guests dress up for an unforgettable night in this retro setting. Adorn the birthday venue with feathery decor, chandeliers, balloons and more 1920s embellishments. Rent a spot like the G-Residence to capture the era’s elegance.  

22. Spa Day

Rent a venue like Island Girl Spa Bed and Breakfast for your bff! Let them choose a manicure or a head massage, whichever they want on their birthday! It’s time for the birthday celebrant to fully relax before stepping in their thirties! 

The best part about renting a place like this is that the party can spend the whole day there after their massages and enjoy a mini-staycation on their special day!

If you don’t have the budget to rent this type of space, check out how to turn your home into a spa and our other budget-friendly birthday party ideas!

23. Boat Party

Cruise into your 30s with an epic boat birthday party! Enjoy the wind in your hair, splashes and sun with drinks and games.

Make it a costume theme bash with pirate attire, scavenger hunts and maritime mischief for the birthday honoree! Check out more pirate-themes and ideas for a great soirée!

24. Themed Photo Shoot for Birthday Memories

Sometimes all you need to show some love to the birthday boy or girl is a classic party idea like a photo shoot! Photos preserve beautiful memories to cherish and share forever. Show off your birthday best—you don’t turn 30 every year!

The Speakeasy offers different unique spaces for a photo shoot ranging from zebra walls, funky disco floors, chilled 70s den and many more!

If you are wondering which theme to pick, team up with the birthday celebrant to decide on the overall idea of the shoot. Take a look at some 2024 photoshoot themes and ideas for instant inspiration!

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💡 Are you planning your first photo shoot?
Take a look at the 8 things you need to know before planning a photo shoot

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25. Plan a Road Trip

Make 30 unforgettable by embracing an LA road trip, like Redding to Lassen or Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail. Pack snacks, pit stop for picnics and take in gorgeous views!
Road trips are a flexible party activity that can easily be organized, plus they offer new experiences and you get to enjoy the real world!

26. Casino Night Birthday Bash

A casino night or a Monte Carlo night is ideal if you want to host a fun and entertaining birthday for the guest of honor! 

Experience the fun and excitement of playing in a real casino, but instead of you and your guests going to a casino to play, the “casino” is brought to you! 

There are plenty of venues that offer casino experiences or you could simply get a professional to set up a casino night at your place.

🎂 Conclusion 

When planning a birthday celebration for a loved one, it’s a privilege and responsibility to give them the celebration that they have always dreamed of. Consult the guest of honor on whether they desire an intimate potluck or lavish mansion bash for their 30th anniversary! For planning help, use our handy birthday checklist. Most importantly, make the celebrant feel special by throwing a party tailored just for them!

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