Q: Can I add birthday's to calendar without them being in contacts?

Just the way you would any other event. Open up the Calendar app. Tap the "+" in the upper right. Create an event that is All Day and recurs annually.

In that case, why would you not want these folks in Contacts?

Are they in some other contacts location, such as Facebook?  If so, you can import their data from Facebook into your own Contacts.

I understand, thanks.

We're all different, and there's no reason my preferences should work for you.  But just so you know, I put similar folks into my contacts and add a recent photo of them.  So all that's in the contact information is a name, birthday, and photo.  I think the photos are cute.  As I say, that may well not work for you, but you might consider it.

onlypurple4me wrote:

 

Young nieces and nephews that have no contact info or facebook.  I am trying to keep a family birthday/anniversary calendar to keep track of them all.

You can still add them in Contact with their parents address.