Get ready to party because I’m going to give you 40 incredibly cool ways to celebrate your 40th birthday! After all, the big 4-0 comes only once in a lifetime.
Sure, many people dread turning forty, but it’s actually a huge milestone and one that should be celebrated no matter how you feel about reaching your fourth decade of life.
40 is the perfect time to set new goals, try new experiences, and get a fresh start!
More than anything, your fortieth birthday is a great excuse to start checking things off your bucket list and living the experiences you’ve been putting off.
Here are forty cool ideas for how you can celebrate your 40th birthday.
If you have any other suggestions, we’d love to hear them!
1. Visit a country you’ve never been to
What better way to ring in your 40th birthday than travelling to an exotic location. It’s a reminder that we can keep expanding our horizons as we grow older.
Whether you plan to travel solo or bring friends, choose a destination that you’ve always dreamed of going to but never seemed to have had the time or money for.
2. Enjoy a beach day
This is a great way to spend any birthday, but especially a milestone birthday like your 40th! I love going to the beach by myself. Take your journal to reflect on the past decade and write goals for the upcoming one.
While at the beach, I also love to catch up with friends and family on the phone, since most of them live far from me. But if you can round up some of your loved ones to join you, your 40th birthday celebration at the beach will be that much more enjoyable.
3. Go scuba diving
Scuba diving provides a unique opportunity to consider the world we live in from a different vantage point.
I will never forget my first scuba diving experience in the open ocean. It was everything I ever expected it to be and then some. You really don’t have to do it with friends (I didn’t) but it may be even more fun if you bring your significant other or BFF with you.
4. Take an overnight train trip
There is something incredibly romantic, and not in a falling-in-love kind of way, about overnight train trips. If you don’t want to do this in the U.S. there are plenty of places in Europe where trains are the main form of transportation.
You can overnight it in a room or a bunk bed. You go to sleep when you’re 39 and wake up the next morning at 40 years old in a new destination, refreshed and ready to explore.
5. Take a road trip
Planning a roadtrip is half the fun. Set aside the dates for travel, plan your route, and possible pit stops and overnight stays. Then grab a friend or partner or hit the road solo.
Document your journey for posterity. Perhaps keep a journal of your trip for your kids or for your future self. You only turn 40 once!
6. Go for a hike or bike ride
A great way to celebrate your 40th birthday is by taking a long hike in nature. Check whether you need to buy gear if you are planning to hike overnight. Read up on your route and make sure you have all the safety measures in place.
Alert friends and family of your whereabouts, whether you are going in a group or alone, and make sure you check in with them at least once a day if you are planning on hiking for a few days. Nature is a terrific way to meditate about life, past and future.
7. Have a girls’ night
Whether it’s a girl’s night in or a girl’s night out is up to you. Either way, it’s your 40th birthday, so party it up with your girls!
A girl’s night at home can be a pajama party with pizza, an elaborate sit-down dinner, or a movie-watching marathon with wine, popcorn and chocolate cake!
A girl’s night out can be clubbing, disco dancing, line dancing, bar hopping, or having a nice meal at a fancy restaurant. You can book a limo to take you from one venue to another.
8. Get a tattoo
Whether you have ink or not, maybe there is a tattoo you always wanted and didn’t dare to get. Why not book it for your 40th birthday? Find a tattoo artist online (I like to find them on Instagram), and discuss your ideas with them.
A good tattoo artist will help you bring your vision to fruition. It is best to show up to your appointment knowing the size and placement of the tattoo, but you can always change your mind at the parlor.
Make sure you follow the after-care instructions to protect your fresh ink and enjoy showing off your new 40th birthday tattoo!
9. Go to a rock concert
Pick a concert based on your location or choose a band you love and travel to see them on your 40th birthday!
The energy of a live concert will help you feel celebratory and remind you that the good old days are far from over. Really, you’re only 40!
10. Book a hot air balloon ride
Whether you ride a hot air balloon in Texas or Capadoccia is up to you! Of course, the more beautiful the views, the better. But one way or another, the experience of floating in the air without the rumble of an engine is incomparable.
You can toast your 40th birthday up in the air (if it’s allowed), or upon descending. Take loads of pictures as a reminder that your best years are yet to come.
11. Take a ride in a helicopter
A helicopter ride is totally different from being in a plane. Helicopters can hover over beautiful views and can get closer to the ground during flight than airplanes.
Whether it’s a helicopter tour of the city where you live or a new place you are visiting, this is the kind of experience that is worth doing at least once. Why not let that be on your 40th birthday?
12. Spend the day at a spa
An entire day at the spa is an amazing experience. Imagine a single day of facials, massages, saunas, hot tubs, and mani-pedis. That’s a lot of self-care to celebrate your 40th birthday.
Go with friends or alone and don’t forget to bring some bubbly to toast and welcome a new decade. And hopefully, plan to include more self-care in the years to come.
13. Take a fitness class
I’m not talking about just any fitness class, but something you’ve always wanted to try, perhaps pole dancing or pole fitness, aerial yoga, Pilates, burlesque or bungee fitness. It’s your 40th birthday, go to town!
Many of these exercises are more fun if you do them with friends, so maybe all of you can meet at the fitness class and then go out for drinks or mocktails afterwards.
14. Splurge on a shopping spree
Set aside a little money throughout the year leading up to your 40th birthday and then, on the actual day of your 40th, go on a shopping spree! Pick items you usually would not buy for yourself and splurge. After all, it’s your birthday.
If you live in a big city, maybe there are secret sample sales happening, or perhaps you’d rather go to the nearest outlets. Make sure it’s an actual in-person shopping experience, although online shopping with friends can be fun too.
15. Go to the movies
When was the last time you binged on movies at the movie theater? Pick a venue that has those comfy lounge seats and maybe even food and drinks, and treat yourself to an evening of large screen blockbusters.
16. Enjoy a Broadway show
Even if you have to travel to NYC, a Broadway show is the experience of a lifetime. Even an off-Broadway show is an amazing time and a great way to celebrate your 40th birthday.
Of course, you don’t have to go to the Big Apple to see a show, so if you’re on a budget, then find what’s happening on the stages near where you live. This is a great way to support local talent and celebrate your 40th!
17. Host a movie marathon with friends and family
Whether you do this at home or in the theater, it will be a memorable experience and an awesome way to celebrate your 40th!
If you’re staying home, you can binge-watch TV shows or a whole series. You’re only 40 after all, you don’t have mandatory bedtime!
18. Tour a vineyard
If you’re into wine, why not take a trip to California, or La Rioja in Spain, or fly to France or Italy and visit a vineyard where you can enjoy wine tasting and amazing food.
If you’re not a wine lover, then why not lean into this new experience and allow yourself to celebrate your 40th birthday by doing something out of the ordinary for you.
19. Take a beer brewing class
Craft beers are all the rage, why not learn how to brew your own? It’s fun to learn about what goes into your favorite beverage, especially if you’re a beer drinker.
Or gift yourself a craft beer-making kit as your 40th birthday gift and host a party at home, either to make the beer or taste it once it’s made.
20. Book a race car driving experience
Ever wanted to drive a Ferrari or a Porsche on a racetrack? There are several tracks around the country and in Europe where you can rent an exotic sports car and spend time on the track. Or you can rent the sports car separately and then take it to the track. So, book yourself a race car driving experience and happy 40th!
21. Run a 5k, a half marathon, or a marathon
A big part of this is all about the preparation and training leading up to the actual race, so you get to enjoy the process of getting ready to accomplish an incredible feat on your 40th birthday.
Even if you’re not a runner, consider that many runners started at an older age and that older runners often have more endurance than younger athletes.
22. Attend a burlesque or magic show
The point here is to treat yourself to the kind of show that you’ve never seen before. Turning 40 is all about rediscovering the joy of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
Whether it’s burlesque, magic, or even a strip show, you get to ring in your 40th doing something new and out of character for you.
23. Spend the day at an amusement park
If you can, book fast passes to avoid the long lines to get on rides at the amusement park. After all, it’s your special day and you deserve to breeze through the lines.
If you’re afraid of roller coasters, maybe face your fear and ride one. I did this so that my kids wouldn’t grow up mimicking my fears. Now I enjoy rollercoaster rides like I never thought I would.
24. Participate in a sip and paint event
Whether it’s painting, ceramics or any other creative activity, the point is to gather your friends and family around an activity instead of just hanging out.
The bonus is everyone gets to take their creation home, and you will have something to show for the day you celebrated your 40th birthday.
25. Throw a themed birthday bash
Whether it’s a costume party, a decade party (the 70s, 80s, 90s), or any other kind of party, themed parties are always a blast.
Make sure to organize your party in advance and send out invites to give your guests time enough to plan their outfits.
26. Dress up
Whether you are doing something special or not, dress up in sequins or a ball gown and maybe even book a photoshoot.
We often leave dressing up for special occasions like weddings and galas, but how many of those do we attend each year?
Your 40th birthday is definitely a special occasion that merits dressing up however you want.
27. Swim with manatees or dolphins
You don’t have to leave the country to do this. Florida has great places, like Crystal River, where you can swim with manatees, especially in the colder months.
And the Florida Keys have many beautiful locations where you can swim with dolphins. Don’t forget to do your research well in advance to ensure the best experience.
28. Take a gourmet cooking class
If you’re tired of cooking the same old stuff, a gourmet cooking class can spark your creativity and remind you that cooking can be a fun and creative experience.
29. Take a cruise on a luxury yacht or sailboat
Forget regular cruises, which can also be a great experience if you’ve never been on a cruise. But a luxury yacht, catamaran, or sailboat is a much more personalized experience.
These types of cruises are also more exclusive and you can pick from a variety of destinations. So get ready for a great adventure.
30. Adopt a pet
Why not rescue a dog or a cat? If you’re ready for the long-term commitment of taking care of a pet, adopting a dog or cat is a great way to make a new friend.
So if you are sure you can deal with training your pup and are ready to field the expenses that come with being a dog owner, then go ahead and indulge in a loyal companion. You can celebrate your happy 40th birthday together!
31. Buy that piece of jewelry you’ve been lusting after
It is an empowering feeling to buy yourself what you want instead of waiting for someone else to do it for you.
As we grow older, it’s a great practice to take ownership of our dreams and desires. Buy yourself that piece of jewelry you’ve been eyeing and it will always be there to remind you of your 40th long after your birthday.
32. Get a fresh new hairstyle
40 is a great time to reevaluate your hairstyle. This does NOT mean you absolutely have to cut your hair short. It’s an outdated notion that women can’t sport long hair after a certain age.
Maybe you want to grow your hair out or experiment with a different cut or color. Perhaps you want to let your silver show, or maybe you prefer to hide it. As long as your hair matches how you feel, you’re good.
33. Buy yourself flowers
You can buy yourself flowers any day of the year, of course. But on your 40th, why not splurge on the kind of bouquet you wish someone would buy for you?
After a certain age, it’s all about making empowered decisions. Treat yourself because you can, because you’re worth it, and because you’re turning 40.
34. Invest in a new hobby
Maybe it’s learning to play an instrument or signing up for an improv class, or getting certified as a yoga instructor or learning to rollerblade?
No matter what your pick, your 40th birthday is a great day to choose a new hobby. Take the classes, buy the equipment you need and just go for it.
35. Make reservations at a Michelin-starred restaurant
There is nothing wrong with going to a popular hole-in-the-wall where they serve great food. But if you have been wanting to try a high-end restaurant, your 40th birthday is a great time to make that reservation.
36. Take a guided tour of your hometown
Whether you’re a newcomer or have been living in the same town for a long time, it’s easy to take for granted the beauty of our local environment.
So why not visit your town like a tourist and see it from a different perspective?
37. Go whitewater rafting
If you’re interested in adventuring, whitewater rafting is definitely up your alley. Pick the spot you would like to experience and book it ahead of your 40th birthday.
There are plenty of places to go rafting. Ask your friends ahead of time whether they’d like to join you as many rafts accommodate four to twelve people. The more the merrier!
38. Book a photoshoot to commemorate your 40th birthday
If you’re like me and are the one always taking family pictures,book a photoshoot of your choice: outdoorsy, boudoir, fitness-inspired, you name it. A decade later, you and your kids will be thankful you did it.
39. Spend the day with people you love
Spending quality time with people you love may seem super low-key, but it’s actually one of the nicest things you can do for yourself on your birthday.
That said, choose the crowd wisely and don’t invite people you don’t feel comfortable with, even if they are blood-related.
40. Just do you
The point is to enjoy the day exactly the way you want. If you don’t want to make a big deal out of turning 40, then so be it. One way or another it all boils down to being true to yourself.
Happy 40th birthday to you!
