The best birthday freebies and deals in Johannesburg

This is the "Holy Grail" of Jozi freebies. You get full access to Gold Reef City Theme Park for free on your birthday.

If your birthday falls on a day when the park is closed, you can visit on the Sunday before your birthday if it’s closed between Monday and Wednesday, or on the Sunday after your birthday if it’s closed between Thursday and Sunday.

To cash in on this, just show your original SA ID, birth certificate or Passport at the gate. No online booking is required for the birthday person, but you’ll need ot book for family and friends joining the fun.

Just outside Lanseria, the Lion & Safari Park offers you an easy, feel-good way to spend your birthday in the presence of the king of the jungle. Your reward is a free one-hour guided tour or self-drive safari, but it’s only valid on your actual birthday, so timing is key.

Remember to carry your South African ID because you’ll need it for verification if you want to take advantage of this birthday benefit.

If your idea of celebrating involves movement, mayhem and a serious energy burn, Total Ninja has you covered. You can score one free one-hour Ninja session, making this a high-impact way to mark your special day, whether you’re racing friends or just embracing your inner child.

The visit must take place on your actual birthday, and you’ll need to bring ID as proof.

The novelty of some things never wears off; riding in a big red bus is one of them! The City Sightseeing Kids Club offers a birthday bonus for children aged 4 to 17 years old. Registered kids receive a free ticket for themselves, plus an extra kid's ticket to bring a friend.

Registration must be completed at least 15 days before the birthday, with tickets sent 14 days in advance of the big day. The tickets can be used from one week before to three weeks after the child’s birthday, making it an easy win for birthday planning.

You haven't truly lived in Johannesburg until a choir of waitrons has serenaded you. A birthday at Spur is a South African rite of passage that transcends age, whether you’re turning 5 or 55. For the kids (Secret Tribe members), it’s a free meal, drink, and a Chico the Clown ice cream. For adults, while the meal isn't free, you get the legendary birthday song performance and a complimentary sparkler dessert to ensure the entire restaurant knows it’s your big day.

Plus, if you’re a Spur Family Club member and have spent R1,000 or more in the 12 months leading up to your birthday, you'll find a R50 birthday voucher loaded onto your app to help clear the bill. You need to be registered on the Spur Family Club App at least 48 hours in advance to claim the digital vouchers.

If you’re after a birthday celebration with a bit of theatre, Greensleeves Medieval Kingdom delivers full medieval fantasy. Book your birthday feast here, and the birthday guest eats for free, with costume hire included, no crown or cloak required.

Celebrating more than one birthday at the table? You’ll pay just 30% for the second birthday and 50% for the third, making it a surprisingly good-value group celebration with jousting, jesters and plenty of feasting energy.

If an all-you-can-eat celebration is more your style, Billy G Buffet at Montecasino has a solid birthday perk. Tsogo Rewards Members receive 50% off the standard buffet price on their birthday, making it one of the better-value ways to enjoy a meal on the special day.

The offer is valid only on your actual birthday, on any day of the week. You will need to show a valid ID to claim it. Not a member yet? You’ll need to join the Rewards programme before you arrive to make the most of it.

If you’re willing to do a little app admin, your phone can unlock some solid birthday treats.

Krispy Kreme rewards app users with a seriously sweet deal: download the Krispy Kreme SA app and, on your birthday, buy a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts and get another dozen free.

Mugg & Bean leans into its reputation for generosity, offering a free slice of cake on your birthday when you’re signed up to its loyalty app. Just note that you’ll usually need to have made one or two purchases in the months leading up to your birthday for the reward to activate — so a little forward planning pays off.