The 10 best birthday freebies in Cape Town

Whether you’re a local or tourist, a trip up the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is always a treat. For locals it’s not cheap – R420 per adult for a morning departure – but luckily once a year you’ll enjoy it mahala [for free].

On any date in the calendar month of your birthday you can bring your proof of ID and claim a free return ticket to the top. You can make use of the free birthday ticket on any day in that calendar month, even if it is before your actual birthday.

Bad news? This birthday deal is for South Africans only. Remember too that children must ride with an adult when claiming their birthday tickets, and the free ticket is only valid for the person celebrating the birthday. You’ll find all the fine print over here.

Locals also score at the Two Oceans Aquarium in the V&A Waterfront, with free entry on your birthday, or any of the next six days. Again, sorry tourists, this one’s available to South Africans only.

The birthday celebrant can collect their free ticket from the Aquarium’s ticket office. Proof of identification is required, and the offer is available to those aged four and older. Tickets cannot be collected in advance and should be used on the day you collect them.

Hungry afterwards? The Two Oceans Aquarium is just a few steps from the Time Out Market Cape Town, where can treat yourself to a birthday bao, celebratory sushi or your choice of plates from 12 of the city’s top chefs.

Finished with the fishes? Take a two-wheeled tour of the Sea Point Promenade with UpCycles, who’ll give you an hour’s free session on their easy-to-ride bicycles on the day of your birthday. You have to arrive on your actual birthday and bring proof of identification.

With its new location overlooking Granger Bay, the Cape Wheel dishes up unforgettable views of the Waterfront, city centre and Table Mountain.

Fill out the simple form online and on your birthday you’ll be sent a voucher for a free ride that can be used anytime within the next 30 days. Simply print out the voucher and bring it – along with proof of ID – to the ticket booth at the Cape Wheel.

If you forget to sign up in advance? No problem… on your actual birthday you can simply pitch up with proof of ID to claim your free ride.

This al fresco big-screen experience has become hugely popular across Cape Town, with movies through the week at selected venues in the city and across the Cape winelands.

During the Galileo summer season – November to April – you’ll be able to claim the Galileo Birthday Special during your birthday week, which starts on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. During your Birthday Week, simply arrive at the door with a proof of ID/birth and receive a free entry, a backrest, and a blanket.

Even if a show is sold out Galileo will always make provision to honour the birthday person. However, anyone accompanying the birthday person should pre-book tickets to avoid disappointment. No sales will be allowed at the door if a show is sold out. Also remember that the Birthday Special does not apply to Special Screenings such as Halloween, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Valentine’s Day and Easter.

The wind in your hair. The sun on your face. The city’s sights unfurling ahead of you. There are many reasons to love the open-top bus tours offered by City Sightseeing.

Children aged 5-15 years receive a free one-day classic bus ticket for their birthday. What’s more, the birthday child may bring along one friend for free on the day of their tour (the friend must also be aged 5–15). At least one adult (with a full-price ticket) must accompany the children.

To receive your free tickets, simply register two weeks before the birthday to receive tickets by email, which will be valid for four weeks (one week before, and three weeks after) the day of their birthday.

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) is one of the cultural highlights of the continent, home to both permanent and temporary exhibitions celebrating contemporary creativity from Africa and its diaspora. And the fact it’s housed in one of the most striking architectural creations in the city only adds to the appeal. 

On any day during your birthday month, African residents can show their ID or passport to enjoy a free ticket to the museum. Remember that Zeitz MOCAA is open Tuesday – Sunday.

Forgot to go in your birthday month? African citizens (show your passport or South African ID) can access Zeitz MOCAA for free every Wednesday from 10am-1pm. Under-18s enjoy free access every day of the week.

28 floors up. A 35-metre high tower. A free-fall speed of nearly 100 km/h. 4Gs of force on your body. If the numbers don’t scare you off the SKY-HI Ride atop the Hotel Sky in downtown Cape Town, then step right up to claim your free birthday ticket for the only ride of its kind in Africa.

You’ll need to book online using this link to claim your free ticket, but happily, it’s valid for any day within the month of your birthday.

South Africa may be most famous for its wine, but did you know there’s a centuries-old brewing tradition here too? The story of beer in the Cape is well told at the Newlands Brewery, a 20-minute drive from the city centre in the suburb of Newlands.

This is the oldest operating brewery in South Africa – going since 1820 – and guided tours (Tuesday – Saturday) take guests through the brewing process, the on-site commercial brewery and microbrewery, and end with a beer tasting and two complimentary drinks in the charming bar.

In the week of your birthday you’ll enjoy a free ticket for the tour. You only have to show proof of ID, but pre-booking is advised and the tour is not open to those under the age of 18. The tour is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.

There’s a little admin involved, but if movies are your thing, then it’s worth the effort to claim your free movie ticket with Ster-Kinekor Theatres. First, you’ll need to apply (for free) to join the SK Club here.

It only takes a few clicks, and then you’ll be able to sign in online – or visit your nearest Ster-Kinekor box office – to redeem a free 2D or 3D birthday movie ticket.

Note that the ticket is only valid for movies a week after their release and for seven days from your birthday.