Free Ways to Celebrate Your Birthday

Is it your birthday month? Here’s a list of free stuff

Last Updated: 15 March 2023

CapeTownMagazine.com loves birthdays and believe they should be celebrated to the fullest. However, big parties and celebrations can get quite costly, especially if your birthday falls before payday. We have rounded up all the free things you can do on your birthday or during your birthday month. 

DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE AQUARIUM

The Two Oceans Aquarium offers a special gift to all South African citizens – free entry on your birthday, plus six days thereafter. This gives you a whole week to do one of the city’s most magical experiences. Find out how it works + discover 14 secrets to unlock during your next visit. 

Hours: Monday to Sundays, 7am to 10pm

Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | aquarium@aquarium.co.za | @2OceansAquarium | Image: Lara van Zyl

A GIFT OF A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS

Experience Cape Town’s beloved outdoor movie experience, The Galileo Open Air Cinema, for free during the week of your birthday (starting on a Monday, ending on a Sunday). You must bring you ID to the cinema venue to get free entry, a backrest and a blanket. Make sure the rest of your party book their tickets so they can join you for your birthday freebie.) If you want to arrive early to set up for your birthday bash, or are arranging it for someone else and want to have a birthday message displayed on-screen, complete an enquiry online. The birthday special is not valid for special screenings. See what’s on when at The Galileo Open Air Cinema. 

Hours: October to April; doors open 6pm on weekdays and 5pm on Saturdays

Book: Your tickets online.


Various locations | 071 471 8728 | Instagram: @thegalileo

PLAY A THRILLING ESCAPE GAME 

Race against the clock at HintHunt and work with your friends to escape an old hotel, submarine, prison, pirate shipwreck and more. Go on your birthday and you'll get to go for free if you make a booking for four or more people. You'll need to bring proof of birthday and book in person. Read more about HintHunt's exciting escape rooms. 

Hours: Monday to Thursdays 10am - 5.30pm, Fridays + Saturdays 10am - 8.30pm (longer opening hours - last game slot 8.30pm), Sundays, 10am - 4pm.

HintHunt | Watershed | 17 Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | 076 187 2764 | @hinthuntafrica | Image: HintHunt

THRILL TO THIS GRAVITY-DEFYING RIDE

Did you know that the Sky Hi Ride is free to you for your entire birthday month? It is one of only three thrill rides of its kind in the world, extending 146 metres above the city bowl, launching from the 28th floor of Hotel Sky and catapulting you up a hair-raising 35 metres in a chair lift. Book online using your ID number as verification. You can purchase the video to prove you did it for only R50.

Hours: Tuesday; 12pm - 7pm; Wednesday to Friday; 9am - 7pm, Saturday + Sunday; 11am - 7pm

28th Floor | Hotel Sky | 9 Lower Long Street | Cape Town | 021 879 5040 | Instagram: @skyhiride

GO ON A LEISURELY CYCLE ALONG THE PROMENADE

Start (or end) your day with one of the loveliest ways to experience Cape Town outdoors – a free ride on the Sea Point promenade. UpCycles grants one hour free on one of its easy-to-ride bikes on the day of your birthday. Bring your ID along to access your gift. 

Hours: Monday to Sunday; 8.30am - 7.20pm

UpCycles | Beach Road | Sea Point | 074 100 9161 | Instagram: @upcycles  

SEE THE COUNTRY’S TOP EXHIBITIONS

You’ll find the much-lauded Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in the Silo District of The Waterfront. It boasts gallery spaces on nine floors, and has awesome views of the city bowl and The Waterfront from the top floor. Present your ID or African passport at the entrance any day in your birthday month and you don’t pay.

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday; 10am - 6pm

V&A Waterfront Silo District | S Arm Road | Waterfront | 087 350 4777 | Instagram: @zeitzmocaa 

TAKE A TRIP UP A NATURAL WONDER OF THE WORLD

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway offers a free return trip to South Africans over the age of 4 for your birthday. If your day falls during the annual maintenance period, you can secure your ticket one week before or after that period. Celebrate your day by looking at beautiful views of the city with Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.

Tafelberg Road | Gardens | 021 424 0015 | Website | Instagram: @tablemountainca

SAVOUR A COFFEE AND A SLICE OF CAKE

Fancy having your cake and eating it? Stop by at one of South Africa's favourite cafés, Mugg & Bean, for a decadent slice of cake and a cup of coffee. When you download the Mugg & Bean app, you’ll get a cappuccino and slice of cake on the house on your next birthday. 

Various locations | 0860 672326 | This image is an illustration, not from Mugg and Bean. Image: Crazy Cake (Unsplash)

YOUR CHILD + FRIEND ON A CITY BUS TOUR 

The City Sightseeing buses are double-decker hop-on, hop-off buses that offer tours all over Cape Town. Children between the ages of 5 and 15 years get a free one-day classic bus ticket for their birthday. (Plus they can also bring along one friend for free on the day). The party must be accompanied by at least one adult riding at full price. You need to register your child at least two weeks before the birthday to receive the ticket via email, which will be valid for four weeks (one week before the child’s birthday and three weeks after).

Various locations | 021 511 6000 | info@citysightseeing.co.za | Instagram: @citysightseeingsa
 

THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR DESSERT

You can get a dozen original Krispy Kreme Doughnuts glazed donuts on your birthday if you sign up for the rewards app. And, just for signing up, you get a free donut too!

Various locations | 010 006 0400 | www.krispykremesa.com |This image is an illustration, not form Krispy Kreme. Image: Annie Spratt (Unsplash)

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DO SOMETHING FOR FREE (ANY DAY) IN CAPE TOWN 

Birthday fall on a Tuesday? Join this free wine tasting experience.

Plan a sophisticated birthday getaway at Mardouw Country House (all meals included). 

So many things that the whole family can enjoy with our list of things to do with kids.

Don’t break the bank with these free and cheap things to do with kids.

If you love free things, check out our list of things to do free in Cape Town.

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