Memorable Themes for a 60th Birthday Celebration

Turning 60 is a milestone that deserves to be celebrated in grand style! It’s a time to honor six decades of life, love, and achievements with family and friends. Whether you’re planning your own party or throwing one for a loved one, choosing the perfect theme can set the stage for an unforgettable event.

From nostalgic trips back to the 1960s to elegant masquerade balls, there’s a theme to match every personality and taste. Let’s explore some fantastic ideas to make a 60th birthday celebration truly special.

(THIS POST CONTAINS SOME AFFILIATE LINKS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE: READ MY FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY)

Retro '60s Party

Why not take a trip down memory lane with a Retro '60s party? Decorate with vibrant colors, peace signs, and lava lamps. Encourage guests to dress in their grooviest '60s attire, complete with tie-dye shirts, bell-bottoms, and headbands. Play classic hits from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Motown to get everyone in the dancing mood.

Decorations: Vibrant colors, peace signs, lava lamps, tie-dye banners, and flower power decorations.
Menu: Classic '60s snacks like fondue, deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket, and jello molds.
Entertainment: A '60s playlist with hits from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Motown, and maybe even a live cover band. Consider a dance floor for groovy moves and a costume contest for the best '60s attire.
Special Touches: Hand out flower crowns and peace sign necklaces as party favors.

60s Photo Booth PropsGroovy Retro Hippie Balloons60's Party Decorations

Hollywood Glamour

Roll out the red carpet for a Hollywood Glamour-themed party. Think black-tie attire, sparkling decorations, and plenty of glitz and glamour. Set up a photo booth with props like oversized sunglasses and feather boas, and don't forget the "paparazzi" to capture those star-studded moments. Serve elegant hors d'oeuvres and champagne to add to the sophistication.

Decorations: Red carpet entrance, gold and black color scheme, star-shaped balloons, and movie posters.
Menu: Elegant hors d'oeuvres like shrimp cocktail, mini quiches, and champagne.
Entertainment: Set up a photo booth with glamorous props, hire a photographer to act as paparazzi, and have an Oscar-style award ceremony with fun categories.
Special Touches: Personalized "Walk of Fame" stars for the guest of honor and key guests.

Hollywood - Movie Theme BackdropVIP Party DecorationsVIP Photography Backdrop and Red Carpet

Casino Night

Bring the excitement of Las Vegas to the 60th birthday bash with a Casino Night theme. Set up tables for poker, blackjack, and roulette, and provide guests with play money or chips. Decorate with playing cards, dice, and green felt tablecloths. For an extra touch, hire a professional dealer to run the games. This theme is sure to keep everyone entertained all night long.

Decorations: Playing card centerpieces, dice, green felt tablecloths, and casino chips.
Menu: Finger foods like sliders, chicken wings, nachos, and a variety of cocktails.
Entertainment: Poker, blackjack, roulette tables, and maybe a professional dealer. You can also have a raffle with prizes for the guests.
Special Touches: Provide personalized play money featuring the guest of honor’s face.

Beach Party

Celebrate turning 60 with a laid-back Beach Party. Decorate with tiki torches, beach balls, and seashells. Serve tropical drinks in coconut cups and have a buffet of fresh seafood and barbecue. Encourage guests to wear Hawaiian shirts, sundresses, and flip-flops. Play some reggae or beach tunes to create a relaxing, fun atmosphere.

Decorations: Tiki torches, beach balls, seashells, and inflatable palm trees.
Menu: Tropical drinks in coconut cups, seafood, barbecue, and fresh fruit platters.
Entertainment: Reggae or beach music, limbo contest, and beach games like volleyball or cornhole.
Special Touches: Give out leis and sunglasses as party favors.

Luau Party Glasses and Hawaiian LeisPalm Tree Drink CoolerBeach Honeycomb Centerpieces

Masquerade Ball

A Masquerade Ball adds an air of mystery and elegance to any celebration. Ask guests to wear formal attire and bring their own masks, or provide them at the door. Decorate with rich fabrics, chandeliers, and candlelight. Hire a live band or a DJ to play a mix of classical and contemporary dance music. This theme promises a night of enchantment and sophistication.

Decorations: Rich fabrics, chandeliers, candelabras, and elegant masks.
Menu: A formal dinner with options like filet mignon, salmon, and gourmet desserts.
Entertainment: Live band or DJ playing a mix of classical and contemporary dance music, and a grand unmasking at midnight.
Special Touches: Provide a keepsake mask for each guest as they arrive.

Travel Adventure

For the adventurous spirit, a Travel Adventure theme is perfect. Decorate with maps, globes, and postcards from around the world. Each table can represent a different country, with corresponding food and drink options. Encourage guests to come dressed as tourists or in outfits representing their favorite travel destinations. This theme is a great way to celebrate a lifetime of adventures and inspire future travels.

Decorations: Maps, globes, suitcases, and postcards from around the world.
Menu: Cuisine from different countries, like sushi, tacos, pasta, and French pastries.
Entertainment: Travel trivia, a slideshow of the guest of honor’s travels, and a photo booth with international props.
Special Touches: Set up a guest book where friends and family can share their travel memories with the guest of honor.

Roaring '20s

Transport your party back to the Roaring '20s with a Great Gatsby-inspired celebration. Think flapper dresses, feather headbands, and pinstripe suits. Decorate with art deco patterns, gold accents, and plenty of sparkle. Serve classic cocktails like gin fizzes and mint juleps, and play jazz music to get everyone in the dancing mood.

Decorations: Art deco patterns, gold accents, feathers, and pearls.
Menu: Classic cocktails like gin fizzes and mint juleps, finger foods, and a decadent dessert table.
Entertainment: Jazz band or DJ playing '20s music, a Charleston dance contest, and maybe a speakeasy setup with a password for entry.
Special Touches: Provide flapper headbands and fedoras for guests.

Women’s Flapper Dresses Set 1920s1920s Mens CostumeRoaring 20s Great Gatsby Backdrop

Garden Party

A Garden Party is perfect for a daytime celebration in a beautiful outdoor setting. Decorate with fresh flowers, fairy lights, and rustic accents. Serve tea, finger sandwiches, and an array of pastries. Set up lawn games like croquet or bocce ball to keep guests entertained. This theme is perfect for a relaxed and elegant celebration

Decorations: Fresh flowers, fairy lights, rustic accents, and elegant table settings.
Menu: Tea, finger sandwiches, pastries, fresh salads, and lemonade.
Entertainment: Lawn games like croquet or bocce ball, and maybe a string quartet or acoustic musician.
Special Touches: Set up a DIY flower crown station for guests to create their own headpieces.

Sports Fanatic

Celebrate a 60th birthday with a Sports Fanatic theme. Decorate with memorabilia from the guest of honor’s favorite sports teams. Encourage guests to wear jerseys or fan gear. Serve classic stadium foods like hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels. Set up a big screen to watch a game or highlight reel of memorable sports moments.

Decorations: Memorabilia from the guest of honor’s favorite teams, team colors, and pennants.
Menu: Stadium foods like hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, and beer.
Entertainment: Big screen for watching a game, sports trivia, and maybe a mini-sports tournament like a basketball shootout or soccer penalty kicks.
Special Touches: Customized jerseys for the guest of honor and key guests.

Wine Tasting

For the wine enthusiast, a Wine Tasting party is an elegant and enjoyable option. Set up stations with a variety of wines to sample, along with cheese and charcuterie boards. Hire a sommelier to guide guests through the tasting process. Decorate with wine barrels, grapevine wreaths, and soft lighting to create a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere.

Decorations: Wine barrels, grapevine wreaths, and soft, romantic lighting.
Menu: Variety of wines to sample, cheese and charcuterie boards, and gourmet appetizers.
Entertainment: Guided wine tasting with a sommelier, wine trivia, and maybe a blind taste test competition.
Special Touches: Personalized wine glasses or mini bottles of wine as party favors.

Fabric Wine Cellar BackdropWine Theme Party SuppliesRed Wine Happy Birthday Cake Topper

For additional ideas to make the celebration even more special, check out our other blog posts on 60th Birthday Party Games, funny 60th birthday wishes and quotes, and Poems for 60th Birthday.

A 60th birthday is more than just a party; it’s a celebration of a life well-lived and the exciting years still to come. By choosing a theme that reflects the guest of honor’s personality and passions, you’re not just planning an event you’re creating memories that will be cherished for years. Whether it’s dancing the night away at a roaring '20s bash or relaxing with loved ones at a garden party, the key is to celebrate with joy, laughter, and love. So, pick a theme, add those personal touches, and get ready to make this milestone birthday one for the history books!