25 Fun Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles in 2024
There are a plethora of birthday ideas in Los Angeles, yet many stick to the typical things to do, such as dining at restaurants and going to a bar or club. While these activities are fun, there’s so much more to discover in the bustling City of Angels.
When it comes to celebrating that special day, are you someone who’s looking to make a big splash? Or are you more of a lowkey birthday celebrator? No matter your style, there’s something for everyone in LA. If you’ve been struggling to think of something different to do for your celebration, these birthday ideas in Los Angeles will provide you with lots of inspiration for planning your next event.
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- Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles for Foodies
- Fun Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles for Adults
- Unique Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles
- Free and Cheap Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles
Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles for Foodies
1. Participate in a Cooking Class
If you’re looking for unique birthday ideas in Los Angeles, doing something that allows you to pick up a new skill is an excellent choice. Those who love to cook or want to learn can plan a birthday event around cooking classes in Los Angeles. You and your birthday party guests will get the chance to discover new dishes and learn from world-class chefs. Best of all, you can enjoy the meal you’ve created together at the end of the class.
2. Treat Yourself to a Private Chef Meal
This birthday idea in Los Angeles allows you to celebrate yourself or that special someone with a curated private chef meal from the comfort of your own home. Enjoy a delectably luxurious meal from start to finish without worrying about prep, cooking or cleaning, all of which are taken care of by private chefs in Los Angeles.
3. Schedule a Food Tour
A food tour is a perfect birthday idea in Los Angeles if you want to get out and explore the city while trying new cuisine. Led by a local guide, food tours in Los Angeles will take you around the city, showing you the best spots for top-notch cuisine. Places to visit include local favorites and hidden gems, allowing you to try the best of the best and experience the LA food scene in a whole new way.
4. Engage in an Online Culinary Experience
Anyone looking for a more laid-back and relaxing Los Angeles birthday idea will be interested in online culinary experiences. These activities can be hosted at your home and allow you to learn new skills and have a great time with both small and large groups of partygoers.
Online mixology classes are an excellent choice for a celebration and will teach you how to make new cocktails or mocktails and put a spin on your favorites. You can also try online cooking classes to learn how to cook up something delicious for a birthday dinner. If planning a quiet celebration with your partner, these activities are notably some of the best birthday date ideas in Los Angeles.
5. Explore Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market is a foodie staple within the city. Whether you’ve visited before or not, exploring the market makes for a great birthday idea in Los Angeles. Featuring some of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, this venue allows you to get food from a plethora of amazing vendors instead of dining at just one spot. Menu items will hit every note, from sweet to savory, and you and your birthday guests can discover new foods you might have never tried before.
6. Check out Smorgasburg LA
If you’re looking for a great birthday idea in Los Angeles on a Sunday, you’re going to want to head down to Smorgasburg LA to check out all the fun and exciting vendors set up throughout the market. With everything from local food and drink vendors to crafts stalls, you’ll have a memorable time exploring the offerings and supporting local businesses.
Fun Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles for Adults
7. Attend a Performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
One of the most memorable and sophisticated birthday ideas in Los Angeles is attending a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Despite the name, the theater isn’t Disney-themed but is instead home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
You can see a variety of classical music concerts here while dressing up in your fanciest outfits. There are many great restaurants around the concert hall as well, allowing you to also enjoy a birthday dinner before or after the performance.
8. Enjoy a Movie at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Some people might think movie theaters are old news, but the reality is that many people still enjoy going out for a movie night. If you're a movie lover, going to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is an excellent birthday idea in Los Angeles.
This unique theater hosts regular showings of all the latest movies but elevates the experience with craft drinks and high-quality food, delivered right to your seat. With no need to get up for refills or snacks, you can just sit back and enjoy the movie and the overall birthday experience.
9. Embark on a Mystery Picnic
While a regular picnic might not seem like the ultimate way to celebrate, going on a Fever Mystery Picnic is one of the most exciting birthday ideas in Los Angeles. This experience allows you to solve interactive clues that will lead you to a special gourmet picnic spot while also discovering some of LA’s hidden gems. As Fever takes care of the picnic food and setup, like blankets and decorations, you just have to follow the clues to find your al fresco birthday feast!
10. Catch a Game
One of the best things to do in Los Angeles for sports fans is watching the local sports teams play. Whether you’re a major sports fan or just want a fun afternoon or night out, planning a birthday at a game is guaranteed to be a great experience.
Los Angeles has an NHL team, two NBA teams, two NFL teams and two MLB teams as well as two Major League Soccer clubs and many minor league teams — so no matter what type of sport you like, you’ll find a game to attend. You could make it extra special by splurging on private hospitality seating.
11. Let Loose at Rage Ground
It may sound odd at first, but a visit to Rage Ground, a rage room experience, is a one-of-a-kind birthday idea in Los Angeles that allows you to unwind and have fun with some therapeutic smashing and destroying. With dedicated rage rooms for paint splattering and car smashing, Rage Ground has become a favorite spot in LA for a stress-busting day or night out.
12. Play Arcade Games at EightyTwo
Bars are a perfect place for adults to get together, have some drinks and create memories, but what makes a bar even more fun is the addition of arcade games. One of the top bar and arcade combos in LA is EightyTwo, which features a lounge, full bar and recreational space packed full of arcade games. If you’re looking for a birthday idea in Los Angeles that combines the elements of a bar birthday party with the competitiveness of games, EightyTwo is the place to go.
Unique Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles
13. Get Crafty at Art Rebel Studio
When you think of going to an art studio, you might think it’s one of the more tame things to do, but Art Rebel Studio is so much more than just painting. For a Los Angeles birthday idea that’s as unique as it is wild, head to this crafty venue and discover all the fun artistic things you can do, from graffiti art to glow-in-the-dark painting. There’s also the ability to book private birthday parties, that include an art experience, decorations and food and drink, with options for an open bar or BYOB.
14. Attend a Live Taping of The Price is Right
Most people know that LA is all about TV and movies, so why not take advantage of the industry and try to grab some tickets for a live taping of one of the best game shows around? The Price is Right films with a live studio audience that anyone can be a part of if you can score tickets.
Along with being a cool birthday idea, giving a friend or family member tickets is one of the best experience gifts in Los Angeles. If game shows aren’t you’re thing, there are live tapings of many other shows, from cooking contests to sitcoms.
15. See How the Stars Live on a Celebrity Home Tour
If you’re big into celebrity culture, this birthday idea in Los Angeles is sure to get you excited. With a Celebrity Home Tour, you can go on a trip to some of the most famous residences in the city, including those in Beverly Hills.
What’s unique about this tour is that it has been in operation since 1935, making it one of the oldest in LA. Along with viewing celebrity homes, you will get to spot many popular tourist landmarks and, of course, snap lots of fun photos to remember the outing.
16. Compete in a Game of Speedball at AirballingLA
Maybe you’ve heard of speedball or maybe you haven’t, but either way, playing this game is an exciting and active birthday idea in Los Angeles for anyone 16 and older. Speedball uses the concept of paintball but with rubber balls instead of paintballs. At AirballingLA, you can navigate through the speedball battlefield while taking out your opponents.
You can play in a group of you and your friends against others or split your party group into two and battle it out to declare one side the champion. AirballingLA also offers Nerf gun parties, plus archery tag, bubble soccer and more.
17. Tour Universal Studios Hollywood
An excellent birthday idea in Los Angeles for movie lovers is touring Universal Studios Hollywood. While this activity is on the more expensive side, it’s an entire day trip and you’ll be able to see and experience everything that Universal Studios has to offer. From going on rides to attending events and dining at themed restaurants, there are many memorable activities to partake in when spending your day on a Universal Studios tour.
18. Climb to New Heights at Fulcrum Adventures
Another adventurous and unique birthday idea in Los Angeles is booking an event or simply bringing yourself and a couple of friends to Fulcrum Adventures. The attraction features a large outdoor climbing course with a variety of different obstacles to conquer and overcome, offering a fun challenge for groups of friends and family of all ages.
Free and Cheap Birthday Ideas in Los Angeles
19. Snap a Photo at the Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign is a world-famous icon and one of the most photographed signs in the world. If you’re visiting the city, going to the landmark and taking some pictures is not only a great cheap birthday idea in Los Angeles but also a bucket list activity to check off. You could even go just before sunset to get photos during the day, at sunset and after dark.
20. Experience the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is another must-see attraction and heading to this iconic walkway also makes for a top birthday idea in Los Angeles if you want to do some sightseeing. While wandering along the miles of stars, you can take in the rest of the sights and sounds of the city before stopping for celebratory drinks or a meal nearby.
21. Take a Walk Along the Venice Beach Boardwalk
While free and cheap birthday ideas in Los Angeles are plentiful and widely available, you don’t have to settle for a simple walk in the park. Instead, take a trip to Venice Beach, where you can stroll along the bustling boardwalk lined with vendors, entertainers and other amusements. Having taken in all the attractions, relax on the beach with a celebratory birthday picnic.
22. Explore the Getty Center
Visiting a local art museum is an exciting birthday idea in Los Angeles, especially for art and culture lovers. With free admission and a massive collection of art and exhibits, the Getty Center is one of the can't-miss galleries in the city. It's an ideal place to admire pieces from an array of periods and countries in an elegant and spacious venue.
23. Take in the Views at Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory has a lot to offer, including educational exhibits and stunning views of LA. If you're lucky during an evening visit, you may even be able to do some stargazing. This birthday idea in Los Angeles is not only free but also informative, meaning you might leave with some exciting new knowledge.
If you’re planning an activity with your partner, visiting around sunset is one of the most romantic birthday date ideas in LA, allowing you to watch the sun go down over the City of Angels.
24. Marvel at the Wonders of the California Science Center
Another free but exciting birthday idea in Los Angeles is heading to the California Science Center. Immersive and interactive exhibits can be found throughout the center with a plethora of learning opportunities available for guests of all ages. Special events and IMAX movies are also shown here, giving you plenty of options to get your fix of science topics.
25. Hike Through Runyon Canyon Park
Birthday ideas in Los Angeles don’t have to be fancy or require a lot of planning to make a meaningful occasion. If you’re looking to get outdoors, head to Runyon Canyon Park for a beautiful birthday hike complete with stunning views of the area. To make the most of this idea, pack a picnic and spend a whole day enjoying the LA sunshine with your closest friends or family members.
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If you’re looking for birthday ideas in Los Angeles, you don’t have to search very hard for things to do for a memorable celebration. From foodie experiences to exciting tourist destinations and hidden gems, Los Angeles offers a little something for everyone’s celebration.
For even more ways to explore Los Angeles and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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