The Ultimate 2026 Bucket List For A Year Of Fun And Growth

Check out this awesome bucket list for 2026 with over 50 ideas that you can pick from to make the year one for the books!

I seriously cannot believe I’m writing posts for 2026 already.

Time has flown so fast this last year for me. While 2025 was a good year, I can’t say it was the most fun or remarkable one I’ve had.

I moved into a new place and just settling in took a lot of my time, and then the blog demanded my attention, so there was that.

But things will have to be different in 2026, which is why I’m creating a bucket list and already making plans to make it happen, starting right now.

My 2026 bucket list will work for every adult who’s keen on making this year count in every way possible, without tiring themselves out, of course.

Along with some major Instagram-worthy activities, we’re also going to make space for small meaningful experiences that change how we see the world and ourselves.

Got a second to pin this post? Thanks! You’re awesome.

Here are 50 fresh ideas for your 2026 bucket list, which will have you counting down the days until you can start checking these off. Take a look!

51 Bucket List Ideas For 2026

1. Learn a skill that scares you a little

Choose something that makes your heart race just thinking about it, then dive in headfirst.

It can be rock climbing, performing in front of a crowd, building a network, or starting a YouTube channel.

If you’ve always wanted to write a book but have been too scared, then do that!

By the time 2026 ends, you’d be much better at it, and just imagine the things it would do to your confidence.

2. Take a solo trip somewhere you’ve never been

There’s something so powerful about navigating a new place entirely on your own terms.

You’ll have to make no compromises on where to eat or what to see. It’s an amazing way to discover yourself and what you want from life.

3. Write morning pages for an entire month

Pick whichever month screams ‘journaling’ to you, and every morning, sit down to create morning pages in your journal.

This will improve your writing, connect you to yourself in ways you can’t imagine, and deeply clear your mind.

4. Learn to read the night sky like a map

If, like me, the big night sky has always fascinated you, then why not get to know it this year?

Go beyond just finding the Big Dipper and make yourself more aware of the night sky.

Download a stargazing app, learn the constellations, and discover more about the sky that our ancestors used for navigation and storytelling for thousands of years.

5. Read at least three fantasy book series

Fantasy books are having their moment, and I am so here for it.

Even if you’re not someone who reads a lot, fantasy has a way of pulling you in and keeping you hooked, as long as you pick the right books.

Try to read at least three popular (or hidden gem) fantasy series. It’ll be super fun, trust me.

In 2025, these were the fantasy books I read and absolutely loved:

• The Shepherd King (a unique and fun read, I’d give it 3.5/5 stars)
• The Crimson Moth (the first book is great, but the second one disappointed me. 3/5).
• This Woven Kingdom (love this one and can’t wait for more. 4.5/5 so far).

But in 2026, I want to really dive into this genre and read all the popular titles.

Here are the books I have in my fantasy reading bucket list for 2026:

• Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• The Caraval Series by Stephanie Garber

I’ve already purchased all these and am super excited to dive in!

6. Attend a festival you’ve never heard of

Skip the mainstream events and find something wonderfully weird and local, like underground music festivals, quirky food celebrations, and art installations in unexpected places.

And even if you have to travel a little to attend it, plan for it and make it happen. We’re here to create good and lasting memories, after all.

7. Learn to cook a fancy dish perfectly

One awesome thing I learned last year was cooking properly, but it’s all routine dishes.

I’d like to be able to cook more fancy stuff, and for 2026, I just want to master one awesome dish perfectly.

If you like the idea, then pick your own dish and make it as often as you can so that you can make it perfectly by the end of the year.

8. Host a themed dinner party

What was the last time you hosted a fun dinner party with a theme? If it’s been way too long or you’ve never done it before, then please add it to your list.

You can host a mystery dinner where everyone has to bring a friend you’ve never met, or a cooking challenge where everyone makes the same dish.

You can also have your guests color coordinate. Or it could be a big pizza dinner party.

Okay, I’m gonna stop with the ideas here, and let you do the rest of the thinking and planning.

9. Volunteer for something completely outside your usual world

Want to tap into your empathetic self? Then volunteering is the best thing you can do.

But to make it a little outside your comfort zone, I’d suggest going for something that doesn’t involve your usual world.

If you’re corporate, try working with kids. If you’re indoorsy, help with environmental cleanups.

This will help you step outside your routine and be part of a different world than you’re used to.

10. Take up urban sketching

I am not good with artwork, but the idea of trying urban sketching has me hooked.

You basically just draw places like coffee shops, street corners, and people waiting for buses. Basically, draw whatever you see in front of you.

It’s meditative, and it also trains you to absorb the details of the world around you more closely.

Since I am all about mindfulness, it sounds like an activity right up my alley, and I think I’m going to give it a try this year.

11. Start a neighborhood tradition

Especially if you live in the city and don’t get to talk to your neighbours a lot, try and see if someone’s interested in a friendly tradition.

Maybe it’s monthly block parties, seasonal potluck dinners, or a little free library.

Be the person who brings your community together and makes the neighbourhood more lively to live in.

12. Learn calligraphy or beautiful handwriting

In this digital era that we’re in, gorgeous handwriting feels like a superpower, so why not try your hand at it?

Imagine how good your thank you notes will look, and if you’re into journaling, it’ll make your entries more beautiful too.

13. Take a class in something totally random at your local community college

Community colleges have the most wonderfully eclectic course offerings in all kinds of things, like blacksmithing, beekeeping, winemaking, or ancient philosophy.

It’ll also give you a chance to meet more people and make new friends, which can be hard to do as an adult.

14. Make playlists for every occasion

Make playlists for every occasion you can think of, like:

• Rainy day
• Beginning of autumn
• Road trips
• Dinner parties
• Workout session
• Pain and heartbreak
• Love feels
• Long work sessions

This is romanticizing at its best!

15. Visit every museum in your city

I’ve never been interested in museums, but this year, I really want to get into them. They can teach you so much and are perfect for solo dates, too!

Make it a goal to visit every museum in your city, including the weird little ones you’ve never heard of.

The vintage calculator museum, local history society, or quirky art spaces tucked away in unexpected corners — all of them have great stories waiting for you to discover.

16. Learn basic first aid and CPR

It’s one of those skills you hope you’ll never need but will be forever grateful you have if the moment comes. So, make it compulsory to add this one, okay?

17. Create your own signature scent or soap

Oh, I am so thrilled to be adding this. I want to create a Jasmine scent for myself in 2026; it’s not going to be easy in the beginning, but fun for sure!

You’d need to learn the basics of essential oil blending or soap making and then use your skills to craft something uniquely yours.

Every time you use it, you’ll be reminded of your creative power.

18. Learn to make one cocktail perfectly

Choose a classic and impressive cocktail, and practice until you can make it with your eyes closed.

Have fun watching people’s faces light up as you make your specialty and serve it to them!

19. Start a gratitude jar for the whole year

Get a cute jar and decorate it in style. Then, start writing down one thing you’re grateful for every day and throw them in your gratitude jar.

You can also ask your family members to join in to make it a fun family tradition. On New Year’s Eve 2026, read all the papers, and enjoy feeling magically positive.

20. Take a pottery or ceramics class

Ever wanted to make something from clay? Then take a pottery or ceramics class.

There’s something deeply meditative about working with clay. I did it for my birthday last year and really enjoyed it.

You’ll end up with beautiful, functional art you made with your own hands.

21. Learn a new hairstyle every month

Last year, I learned to do different kinds of braids, and it was very fun and helped my style a lot.

So, if you’re someone who usually sticks to one or two hairstyles, then learn a new one every month this year.

It will give you room to play with your looks and also enjoy feeling feminine while doing your hairstyle.

22. Attend a live recording of a podcast or TV show

Watching podcasts and shows on screen is good and all, but we don’t really know what goes on behind the camera, right?

So, if you get a chance or have any connections who could make it possible, then attend a live recording.

You’ll get to experience the behind-the-scenes magic that never quite translates through earbuds and screens.

23. Do a month-long photo challenge

Take one photo every day following a specific theme like ‘textures’, ‘shadows’, or ‘things that make me smile’.

Create a new folder for it in your phone’s gallery, and keep adding your pictures to it every day. It’s a unique, interesting, and quite charming idea.

24. Learn to identify trees in your area by their leaves

Become the person who can casually point out ‘Oh, that’s a sugar maple’ during walks.

This will help you feel more connected to nature, too, which is always a cool new year goal to have.

25. Master campfire cooking

If you don’t know how to cook during camps, it can really hold you back from having more camping adventures.

So, in 2026, teach yourself everything there is to know about campfire cooking. Perfect your s’more, foil packet dinners, and cast-iron Dutch oven magic, too!

26. Start Something Online

We’re living in digital times, my friend, and you can either stay oblivious, hateful, or embrace it positively.

Start a creative project online that you can do in your free time and maybe even turn into a side hustle eventually.

You can go for:

• Blog
• YouTube channel
• Podcast
• Email newsletters
• An Etsy shop

27. Master the art of saying no without guilt

This one’s harder than it sounds, especially if you’re someone who hates disappointing people.

But just imagine how freeing it would feel to not be involved with people and in activities that drain the life out of you.

And your time and energy will be much protected, so that you can spend them on things that truly matter (like ticking off the other tasks in this list).

28. Pick up a new hobby

It should be something you’ve never explored before, even as a kid. Could be an online thing, an instrument, knitting or crocheting, or practicing a fun language.

These posts might help:

• 21 Interesting Hobbies For Adults
• 15 Hobbies That Can Make You Money
• 23 Fulfilling Hobbies For Women

29. Become a regular blood donor

It takes minimal effort on your part, but it could literally save someone’s life. Sign up for registries and show up when called.

Or donate every three or six months. This will be an extra motivation for you to stay healthy and fit.

30. Witness a New Season

If you’ve seen all kinds of weather and seasons, then you’re lucky.

But if you’re someone who hasn’t experienced autumn, or snowfall, or long rainy days, then go to a place that offers that weather and tick it off your bucket list.

31. Send handwritten letters to people who’ve shaped your life

Make a list of all the people who mean a lot to you and have changed you as a person, and then throughout the year, write a letter to every one of them and send it!

You can’t do emails or texts and tick this off. You have to do actual pen-on-paper letters. It’ll show your effort and gratitude, and make your bond with the person stronger.

32. Winter Olympics in Italy

February 2026 brings the Winter Olympics to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

If you can picture yourself cheering in the Italian Alps, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the most passionate sports fans on earth, then make it happen!

33. Join or start a book club

I’m sure you’ve always wanted to be a part of a book club. Well, let 2026 be the year it finally happens.

Ditch the online book forums and find a local book club that actually meets up. And hey, if you can’t find one, you can always start one!

34. Sleep under the stars in a place with zero light pollution

Find one of those dark sky reserves (places with minimal light pollution) and sleep under the twinkling stars.

You’ll get to see what our ancestors saw every night. How cool is that?!

35. Take a train journey somewhere instead of flying

I’m seeing a lot of slow travel content online, and so here’s an idea for you. In 2026, try to take a train journey instead of flying.

There’s something romantic about watching the world change gradually outside your window. Pure main character energy!

36. Join the FIFA World Cup Fever

The 2026 World Cup is happening across the US, Canada, and Mexico, and even if soccer isn’t your usual thing, the energy is going to be absolutely electric!

Pick a city, book that trip, and prepare to get swept up in the global celebration.

And if you can’t do that, then just watch from home and enjoy the thrill of sports.

I don’t usually follow soccer, but when the World Cup arrives, I tune in because I’m not immune to the FIFA fever, and I’m glad for it because it makes life more interesting.

37. Try glamping in a completely different climate

Glamping stands for glamorous camping, like booking a cozy cabin near a lake.

It’s in straight contrast to traditional camping, I know, but you can make it more fun by trying it in a different climate.

You can do desert camping in Morocco, treehouse living in Costa Rica, or ice hotels in Finland. Comfort meets adventure meets bragging rights!

38. Do a walking pilgrimage or long-distance hike

It doesn’t have to be the Camino de Santiago (though it could be). Just look up what the nearest long-distance hike is, and make plans to walk it with a friend.

A multi-day local trail can shift your perspective in surprising ways. Plus, think of the workout you’ll get in. Your body will love-hate you for it.

39. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound

Once you start noticing birds, the whole world becomes more alive and interesting.

So, whenever you find yourself getting bored, spend a few minutes learning about birds and how to identify them. Just another fun way to get close to nature.

40. Learn to forage for wild edibles

Take a foraging class and discover what’s been growing around you this whole time.

There’s something primal and satisfying about finding food in the wild (safely, of course). It could also turn out to be a life-saving skill in the future.

41. Master a party trick that actually impresses people

You can find so many tutorials online. Learn just one strong trick and flaunt it at get-togethers.

Reveal the trick to no one, because even faux magicians gotta respect the code.

42. Create something purely for the joy of creating

Not for Instagram, not for profit, not because you’re good at it. Create something just because it makes you happy.

When you make things with your hands, it feeds something deep in your soul.

So, make a collage, a DIY frame, a painting, or a sweater, and give yourself the joy of creating something from scratch.

43. Have a conversation with a stranger that lasts more than an hour

Talking to strangers can be scary, but you can do it just by keeping yourself open to the possibility of a real connection.

Strike up a conversation with someone during airport delays, long train rides, or a coffee shop encounter, and hold it for more than an hour. You never know what it could lead to.

44. Catch the Solar Eclipse Magic

Mark your calendars for August 12, 2026, because it’s going to be a total solar eclipse that day.

It’ll be sweeping across parts of Europe, including Spain and Iceland. So, if you can travel to these places during this time, that’d be great!

But even if you’re not in these areas, do catch the event online and read about it in advance to get yourself into it.

45. Go 30 days without complaining out loud

Challenge yourself to not complain for 30 days straight. No whining, no cursing the world for unplanned surprises, and no muttering negativities about people.

Catch yourself in the act and see what happens when you transform complaints into solutions or just simple observations.

Whenever the urge to complain out loud strikes, hold it back and do one of the following:

• Do guided meditations
• Write in your journal
• Just focus on your breaths
• Distract yourself with a book or a show
• Go for a short walk
• Talk to someone about your problems in a gentle tone

46. Do a digital detox weekend once per month

Don’t just put your phone in airplane mode, but actually disconnect by tucking it away in a drawer.

Rediscover what boredom feels like and what your brain does when it’s not constantly stimulated.

47. Quit a bad habit

We all have toxic habits that we want to quit. It could be eating too much sugar or coffee, or badmouthing people.

In 2026, pick one such habit that you’d really, really like to change, and work on discarding it with all your willpower.

Things like these can really change your life, maybe more than big resolutions and expensive trips.

Might help: How To Break A Bad Habit – 7 Smart Ways

48. Learn basic car maintenance or home repair skills

There’s something deeply satisfying about being able to fix things with your own hands instead of always calling someone else.

So, learn the basic skills that you’re lacking, and come out of 2026 as a more self-sufficient person.

49. Spend 24 hours saying ‘yes’ to every reasonable request

This is in direct contrast to the idea of saying no without guilt, but it’s actually needed sometimes, so that you don’t get stuck in the cycle of saying no and locking yourself in.

For 24 hours, say yes to everyone and everything. You can also make this day about saying yes to past requests, like calls, meet-ups, planning trips, etc.

See where spontaneity and openness take you when you temporarily abandon your usual filters and plans.

50. Grow something edible

I’ve never done this, but 2026 seems like a good year to start growing edible things.

You can grow herbs on your windowsill, a backyard vegetable garden, or mushrooms in your basement.

Connect with the ancient satisfaction of growing your own food. It’ll make your meals more tasty and personal.

51. Do a Fitness Challenge

Okay, the last item for your 2026 bucket list is to take a fun fitness challenge.

You can try one of Chole Ting’s challenges, do the 75-hard (feel free to adjust the rules to your comfort), or create your own rules and timeline to stick to.

This one’s for your body, resilience, and making you stronger than you are.

Ready For an Amazing Year Ahead?

Bucket lists are not just for your future. They’re also for deciding who you want to become and then taking steps to meet that person.

Some of the ideas on this list might make you think ‘absolutely yes’, while others might make you scroll right past, which is fine. Do what feels good and right for you!

Pick some things that stretch your world, some that bring you joy, some that connect you to others, and at least one or two that make you a little nervous with excitement.

Because at the end of 2026, the question isn’t going to be whether you checked off every single item. It’s going to be whether you lived fully, loved deeply, and said yes to the adventures that called to your heart.

So what do you say? Ready to make 2026 the kind of year you’ll still be talking about decades from now?

Get, set, and go!

You just discovered 50 cool bucket list ideas for 2026. Lemme know which ones you’ll surely be going for. It’s always a pleasure hearing from my lovely readers.