What Are Milestone Birthdays? 6 Milestone Birthday Examples

Your birthday is a lot like its own holiday. It’s the one day of the year that is completely dedicated to celebrating your time around the sun. You can plan a birthday dinner, snag a free birthday Crumbl cookie, and even spend a few moments crying because, well, birthday tears are a real thing.

Now, even though every birthday is worth celebrating, milestone birthdays tend to hit different. Whether it’s your 21st birthday and you can order a marg legally for the first time or it’s your golden birthday and you can finally wear that cute gold dress, milestone birthdays are celebrations with extra, extra significance.

These milestone birthdays aren’t just about turning a certain age, though — some come with their own set of themes and traditions. So what is a milestone birthday? And what are some of the most common milestone birthdays to celebrate? Right this way for another excuse to be the main character.

What Is a Milestone Birthday?

A milestone birthday is a birthday with extra significance. In some cases, a milestone birthday is one where you can now do things you weren’t able to do previously like drink, drive a car, rent a car, book a hotel, etc. In other cases, a milestone birthday is a fun tradition. If you were celebrating your golden birthday, for example, the theme of the party would likely be gold everything: gold clothing, gold accessories, gold streamers, you name it.

What Are the Most Common Milestone Birthdays?

Some key milestone birthday ages include turning 1, 13, 16, 21, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100. But if you want to know more about the more specially-themed milestone birthdays, here’s a glimpse of what that looks like.

Diamond Birthday

Your diamond birthday is when you turn the same age as the last two digits in your birth year. For example, if you were born in 1982, your diamond birthday would be when you turn 82. If you were born in 2004, your diamond birthday would take place when you turn 4.

A diamond birthday can be celebrated by being your most extra self. This would include diamond-themed decor, diamond-shaped confetti, a glittery birthday cake, and sparkly attire.

Golden Birthday

If you’ve ever heard someone talk about their golden birthday, it’s when they turn the same age as the day they were born. If you were born on April 26, for example, your golden birthday would be when you turn 26. If you were born on December 17, your golden birthday would be when you turn 17.

Of course, most people celebrate their golden birthdays with a gold theme. It’s easier to wear and accessorize with gold than you think, and you’ll look hot doing it.

Jordan Year

Inspired by Michael Jordan, your “Jordan year” is when you turn 23. (Twenty-three is the number Jordan wore throughout his career as a professional basketball player.) Celebrating your Jordan year offers the perfect excuse to host a basketball-themed party.

Platinum Birthday

Your platinum birthday is the same as your diamond birthday, which takes place when you turn the same age as the last two digits of your birth year. (People use the terms interchangeably.) But if you’re more of a platinum girly, you may be more down to use this term instead for aesthetic purposes. (You do you!)

Centenary Birthday

A centenary birthday takes place when someone turns 100. Normally this birthday is a huge celebration of life, filled with many photos and memories of the past decades lived.

Taylor Swift Birthday

Are you feeling 22? The iconic Taylor Swift birthday is the celebration of your 22nd birthday. Based on Swift’s hit song “22,” many people celebrate their 22nd birthday with an ode to Taylor Swift. Invest in her signature red lipstick, a black hat, and red sunglasses.

Taylor Andrews is a Balance editor at PS who specializes in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, and more.