It’s May – which means it’s my birthday month! Whoop whoop! And if you’re like me, you probably want to extract as much as you can out of your birthday month. Lucky for those of us who live in Cape Town, there are a ton of free things to do (and eat!) on your birthday in Cape Town.

Free things to do in Cape Town on your birthday

Long, long ago we used to celebrate our birthdays on one single day. Then we extended it to a birthday week. These days, it’s not unusual to take advantage of our birthdays for the entire month! To make this a more affordable venture, let’s take a look at the different freebies available to you on your birthday.

Where to get free things on your birthday in Cape Town

There are a number of places you can get free things on your birthday and in your birthday month. These range from vouchers to free tickets to free entries. But a warning to you all, please check the ts & cs. Free things are great but you usually have to jump through a few hoops first.

So, the question then is Where should I go for my birthday in Cape Town?

Let’s start with free experiences in your birthday month:

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

Take your ID on any day in your birthday month and get a free return ticket to the top. Only for South Africans. Children must be accompanied by an adult (who’ll have to pay).

 

Two Oceans Aquarium

Free entry on your birthday or up to 6 days afterwards. South Africans only, 4 years and older. Take your ID book and collect your free ticket from the ticket counter.

 

Up Cycles

Fancy a bike ride on the prom or through the streets of Cape Town? Up Cycles offers Dutch-style, single speed, back pedal bikes (in other words, those orange bikes) to rent to ride along the Atlantic Seaboard and in the CBD. There are stations at Sea Point, the Waterfront and Camps Bay where you can rent or return your bikes.

1 Hour free session on your birthday. Proof of identification required.

Cape Wheel

Fill out an online form and on your birthday you’ll be sent a voucher valid for 30 days. Bring the voucher and your ID to the wheel. If you forget to fill out the form, you can still claim your free ride on your birthday (with proof of ID).

the Cape Wheel

 

Galileo Open Air Cinema

If your birthday falls in Galileo season (November – April), you can pitch up at any screening during your birthday week and you’ll be given free entry, a backrest and a blankie. You don’t need to book. You can just show up with your ID. (But make sure your friends book!). 

City Sightseeing Open Top Bus

Children 5 to 15 years get a free 1-day classic bus ticket – plus one for a friend! Sign up online two weeks before the birthday, and the ticket will be emailed to you. It’s valid for one week before and three weeks after the birthday. Children must be accompanied by a ticket-paying adult.

 

Zeitz MOCAA

On any day in your birthday month, African citizens get a free ticket to the museum. 

(But FYI, it’s free for African citizens EVERY Wednesday between 10am and 1pm).

Sky-HI Ride

Advertised as an @exhilarating, gravity-defying, breath-taking drop of up to 100km per hour, the Sky-HI Ride is on the 28th floor of Hotel Sky. This is a birthday treat not for the faint-hearted.

Book online for your free ticket to the SKY-HI Ride, valid for your birthday month.

Ster-Kinekor Movie

Sign up to join the SK Club and get a free movie ticket valid for 7 days. Ts & Cs apply.

Sorbet

Sorbet Club members get up to 50% off certain products and services in your birthday month.

It’s free to sign up to the loyalty programme and you earn points every time you spend money at Sorbet. Your birthday discount depends on the loyalty level you have reached.

Total Ninja

Free entry for 1 hour at Total Ninja on your birthday. Proof of ID required.

Freedom Adventure Park

“Cape Town’s  premium play park and pizzeria” is an all-in-one indoor activity park for kids 1 – 12 years. Think trampolines, foam pits, climbing walls – plus Bootlegger coffee and good food.

Kids play for free on the day of their birthday, with proof of ID.

 

Where to get free food on your birthday in Cape Town

Cape Town Fish Market

Sign up for the CTFM loyalty card and get R100 voucher on your birthday.

Spur

Download the Spur Family Club app and kids enjoy a free meal on their birthday.

Krispy Kreme

Download the Krispy Kreme app at least 48 hours before your birthday to claim 12 free original glazed donuts when you buy 12.

Mugg & Bean

Download the Mugg & Bean app, use the app’s payment feature 2 or more times in the preceding 12 months, and claim a free piece of cake on your birthday. 

Starbucks and Kauai have a birthday gift if you are a member of their rewards program and download their app. These require you to earn a certain number of points – so not worth it if you don’t go there regularly but if you do, maybe worth it.

How to get free stuff on your birthday in South Africa

Make sure you know all the ts & cs! Free stuff might be free but we gotta work for it!