Is it your birthday month? Here’s a list of free stuff
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.
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.
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
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
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
ENTER THE AQUARIUM GRATIS
Enter the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront for free on your birthday and 6 days after – that’s a whole week’s chance to experience this awesome underwater world. Just bring your South African ID along to the ticket office on your birthday. Get more info and discover 15 cool things you can do at the aquarium in our post on the Two Oceans Aquarium’s free birthdays.
Hours: Monday to Friday; 9.30am – 6pm; Saturday + Sunday; 9am – 6pm
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.
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.
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).
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!
