Iconic birthday themes for every month of 2026

Start the year with a snowy celebration! We’re thinking Aspen, from anywhere. Lean into the winter wonderland vibes by creating a cozy cabin weekend feel (whether you’re actually heading to the mountains or recreating the look at home). Prep a festive hot cocoa bar, lay out some champagne on ice, put faux fur throws everywhere, and get mittens and ear muffs for some cute and cozy photos. Bonus tip: consider swapping the birthday cake with leveled up s’mores.

This birthday party theme will have you feeling allll the love. Start with a base of red decor (foil heart balloons are a must), taper candles galore, and chocolate truffles displayed on silver trays. The goal is to channel an Alice in Wonderland level of whimsy, so make it a tea party gone tipsy… if that’s your thing. We recommend cherries in champagne coupes and checkered tableware to really drive the theme home. For a fun and easy DIY, turn a deck of cards into a garland (or scatter them across a table) as simple, statement decor.

Fancy Nancy is the gift that keeps on giving—or, the theme that keeps on theme-ing… in our books. This March, we’re thinking all things playful and colorful for your birthday bash. Lean into the analog movement with offline activities (like felt crown decorating), decorate your space with paper chains (you’ll want to keep these up long after your party is over, we’re sure of it), and think of a birthday dessert that your inner child would have dreamed of! We’ll get you started: a DIY chocolate fountain, a gummy candy self-serve bar, or a tower of sugary sweet cupcakes. Just remember: when it comes to this theme, the more mismatched, the better!

Let’s give ‘em something to woof about! You don’t have to be dog-obsessed for this theme to be a total walk in the park. Spring birthdays are the perfect time of year to lean into playful party themes, and there’s nothing more darling than a day of dachshunds. Don’t be afraid to get cheeky with the details—whether you have a “hot dog” tower in lieu of a cake, or even dachshund ice cubes or butter using these molds. You could even try signing up for a local puppy yoga class in the morning, followed by a day packed with dog-inspired details!

Ready for a spring soiree in Wonderland? Create a magical garden tea party that combines all the best of childhood nostalgia, fairycore, and the beauty of nature. 

From pastel sugar cookies to a lacy picnic blanket, this theme has a certain softness that is the perfect way to gently lead yourself into your new year and age! Try adding an activity like flower arranging to surprise and delight your guests.

We’re trading butter yellow for lemon yellow this June! Make your birthday feel like a total spritz of summer with a party inspired by the ever-iconic lemon drop martini. Go all out on citrus with a yellow dress code, lemon drink garnishes, and lemon possets or lemon sorbet as a seasonal dessert. This theme is the daytime aperitivo hour of our dreams!

It’s time to let loose and get wild. Queue your going out playlist, throw on that animal print outfit you’ve been saving for just the right occasion, and let the fun begin. This month, you’re the life of the party and your birthday is sure to be a night to remember. If it’s going to be a big bash, have everyone decorate a party hat with their name so they can skip the small talk and get right to the partying! Or, take some polaroids with your friends and add party hat stickers as the cutest photo-op!

Late summer days call for a western extravaganza complete with denim on denim attire and plenty of red gingham decor. Looking for a low effort way to turn your birthday into a rodeo? Try a cowboy hat decorating station! Use jewelry string and beads to create custom bands that your guests will be delighted to take home as a party favor.

Think of the finer things in life: a nice wine, delicious cheese, your next age… September’s birthday theme is all about chic, timeless, delicious details. The centerpiece of this party is a gorgeous charcuterie grazing board (with plenty of aged cheeses and fruit pairings). Plus, engage your guests with a wine flight or wine tasting experience you curate yourself! Pro tip: you can pull tasting notes from the bottle label, or ask someone in the liquor department at your local grocery store!

An October birthday calls for a spooky, yet chic party theme—something that doesn’t scream all-out Halloween, but nods to the season in a clever and inventive way. Think: floating candles, a moody black and burgundy color scheme with low lighting, and dried roses galore. Turn it into a “witchcrafting” party by adding a fun art activity like pumpkin or candle painting.

November, we’ve got three words for you: cozy, cozy, cozy. Get ready for a wholesome morning (or evening) of baking with your besties! On the menu, we’re thinking homemade cinnamon rolls, cookies, and whatever else sweet your heart desires. Plus, make it a pajama party to go full relaxation mode. BTW — a wooden cooking spoon (tied with a bow) makes an adorable party favor that your guests will use over and over.

We know, we know—a holiday themed birthday party for December, how inventive… well, as December babies ourselves (yes, we’ve got multiple holiday babies on our team), we say why not lean into the joy of the season? Plan for DIY flower arrangements with white hydrangeas and red holiday berries, use white paint on a roll of brown crepe paper as a table cloth or table runner you can paint with snowflakes and bows, and try a holiday cocktail bar with rosemary and cranberries as festive drink decor. Bonus points if you crush up candy canes as the rim of a specialty drink. Plus, keep Christmas movie classics playing all night long to help fill your space and create a cozy ambience!