With everything from petrol to food getting more expensive, it’s easy to neglect special days because of low funds and the stress that comes with it. And that is the exact time when we all need a break! So be sure to take advantage of that one day a year when it’s all about you – for free!
So whether you’re close to Cape Town, Durban, Joburg or Pretoria, if it’s your special day, there are multiple ways to spoil yourself in South Africa. Enjoy that free coffee, go on that ride you’ve always been spotting or just act like a tourist in your own city. Either way, it’ll be an unforgettable day!
Here are our free birthday celebration suggestions:
Table of contents
Party it up in South Africa with Nationwide freebies
Free coffee at Starbucks (Nationwide)
Sign up for Starbucks’ loyalty program and get a free birthday coffee!
Vida e Caffé (Nationwide)
If you’ve got a loyalty card, then you can pop into Vida on the day of your birthday and get a free coffee!
Mugg & Bean (Nationwide)
What’s a birthday without a generous slice of cake? Every year on your birthday, you get to come to any M&B restaurant and enjoy a slice of cake on us. Fancy having your cake and eating it too? 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.
Krispy Kreme (Nationwide)
Indulge in a free doughnut to celebrate your birthday by simply downloading the Krispy Kreme app and registering for their rewards system (remember to include your date of birth). Krispy Kreme will send your a birthday surprise in the form of a voucher. Loyalty app Birthday bonus!
Buy any dozen and get a dozen Original Glazed Doughnuts for free.
Ensure you download the app at least 48 hours before your birthday to qualify.
Spur (Nationwide)
This ever-popular and almost iconic family restaurant not only offers patrons who are celebrating their birthday a happy song and ice cream (complete with sparkler), secret tribe members also get a meal voucher on their birthday!
Additionally, all kids under the age of 12 get a free kiddies combo meal voucher to help celebrate their birthday!
John Dory’s (Nationwide)
Should you visit a John Dory’s restaurant four times in the 12 months preceding your birthday, you will receive a R100 (One Hundred Rand) birthday voucher. The birthday voucher will be loaded onto the card on the day of your birthday and is valid for 31 (Thirty One) days thereafter.
Pizza ē Vino (Nationwide)
Our loyalty programme will give you exclusive benefits and special offers at Piza ē Vino such as a R100 birthday ticket for use during the month of your birthday.
Sterkinekor (Nationwide)
Sterkinekor’s birthday gift to you is a free 2D/3D movie ticket (which is valid for 7 days)!
Additionally, all pensioners get a 25% discount daily.
The Body Shop (Nationwide)
If you’re part of the rewards programme, you get a R50 SMS voucher to use during the month of your birthday.
Sorbet (Nationwide)
Fancy a spa day? Get 50% off on any treatment by being a Sorbet Silver level loyalty member! Sorbet Society is a free membership that allows you the freedom to feel special as often as you like. Get up to 50% on your birthday, find out how.
Celebrate your birthday in Cape Town
Visit Table Mountain
If you are a South African citizen and it is your birthday, you may ride the Table Mountain Cableway for free!
And if you are unable to make use of this opportunity on the day of your birthday, don’t worry! You have your whole birthday month to claim your ticket.
To claim this ticket, a valid SA ID, driving licence or birth certificate needs to be presented.
Admire incredible art at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
Present your ID or African passport at the entrance of the museum any day in your birthday month and enjoy the experience for free.
Visit the Two Oceans Aquarium
Admire a different side of nature for free at the Two Oceans Aquarium. And if you cannot go on the day, the ticket is still redeemable six days after your birthday.
Enjoy the view from the Cape Wheel
Fill in the application form online and receive a free voucher via email on your birthday!
Take a printout of the voucher and your ID to the ticket booth at the V&A Waterfront and enjoy the 360 views of stunning Cape Town.
Let your adrenaline kick in with the Sky Hi Ride
This gravity-defying ride is free for the entire month of your birthday.
Be ready to be launched from the 28th floor of Hotel Sky into the air – 35 metres higher.
Book online and use your ID as verification.
Relax with Galileo Open Air Cinema
If the Open Air Cinema’s schedule falls within the week of your birthday, you will receive one free ticket, a backrest and a blanket.
Take a leisurely ride along the Promenade
Whether you start or end your day with one of the loveliest ways to experience Cape Town outdoors – a free ride on the Sea Point promenade awaits. UpCycles grants all the birthday people one hour free on one of its easy-to-ride bikes along the seaside route. Bring your ID along to access your gift.
Treat the kids to a city sightseeing tour (Cape Town)
Members of the CitySightseeing Kids Club automatically get a free ticket on their birthday. And the birthday boy or girl is allowed to bring two friends along for the ride.
Grab a Drink and a Meal Voucher from JC Brasserie
JC Brasserie will treat you to a free birthday drink and a meal to the value of R80 when you show your ID.
A Brewery Tour
The popular Newlands Brewery offers you a free brewery tour on your special day or for the week that follows. Learn about the history of Cape Town’s oldest brewery, see how the beer is made and end off with a refreshing tasting. Cheers to that!
Party it up in Durban
uShaka Marine World (Durban)
Spoil your child with a birthday party at this super-fun venue and they will receive a Platinum Pass (which gives them free entry into Sea World and Wet ‘n Wild for one whole year (yes, you read right), as well as 4 x free parking vouchers and a ‘buy one, get one free’ deal at Snorkel Lagoon, Ocean Walker and Shark Dive.
Got to town in Joburg and Pretoria
Gold Reef City (Joburg)
Children between ages 10 and 17 get free entry into Gold Reef City on their birthdays when signed up for the Birthday Thrills package.
They will also get free rides, a birthday meal and juice, and a gift.
Treat the kids to a city sightseeing tour (Joburg)
Members of the CitySightseeing Kids Club automatically get a free ticket on their birthday. And the birthday boy or girl is allowed to bring two friends along for the ride.
The Harties Cableway (Hartbeespoort)
Enjoy the panoramic views of the beautiful Magaliesberg and Hartbeespoort Dam for free on your birthday!
Collect a free ticket from the office when you present your ID as proof.
