CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

IRN BRU Carnival gives away 1,000 Opening Day tickets to local charities

Europe's biggest indoor Christmas Carnival has pledged doubled the number of tickets originally set out in plans.

IRN BRU Carnival gives away 1,000 Opening Day tickets to local charities

Article Source: IRN-BRU Carnival
Last Updated: 21 November 2023 11:30

The IRN-BRU Carnival at SEC, Glasgow has announced it is pledging 1,000 tickets to 70 local charities for its opening day on 22nd December 2023, doubling its original target of giving away 500 tickets.

Having called out to local charity groups and organisations in September looking to donate 500 tickets to various groups, organisers were overwhelmed by the amazing work detailed in the applications from local Glasgow charities and organisations and chose to add extra tickets on to their give away.

Those benefiting from the free tickets include Cosgrove Care which provides person centred care for those with additional needs in the West of Scotland, SWAN UK which offers support to families of children and young adults affected by syndromes which are so rare they do not have a name, and Calums Cabin giving children facing cancer and their families a holiday home for a chance to make memories together which will last lifetime.

In addition, volunteers from the event’s charity partner Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity will be at the IRN-BRU Carnival throughout the run raising money to be split between the charity’s various projects, including Ronald McDonald House Charity which will also be supplying volunteers with buckets to help raise funds.

The lucky winners will have the chance to be some of the first to have the ride of their life on The Extreme Ice Blast, a new to IRN-BRU Carnival outdoor thrill ride at the Carnival now in its 104th year, not to mention 65+ rides and attractions, and much more.

Margaret Cowan, IRN-BRU Carnival Group Operations Manager said: “Every year we invite numerous charities to apply for free tickets, and once again the applications we received were from outstanding organisations which do amazing work for people across Glasgow and Scotland. We were blown away by the generosity of spirit and time which these groups provide to those accessing them, so decided to double the number of free tickets from 500 as we wanted as many of our applicants to enjoy a festive night out with us at IRN-BRU Carinal as possible.

“We look forward to seeing the happy faces of each and every person who will get a free ticket to our opening night, they deserve it more than anything”


Louise Fish, CEO of Genetic Alliance UK which runs SWAN UK, thanked organisers saying: “SWAN UK is the only dedicated support network for families who have a child with a genetic condition so rare it cannot be diagnosed. Many parents and guardians of undiagnosed children are also their child’s full-time carer, and an opportunity to attend a fun whole-family event like The IRN-BRU Carnival is rare. We send a huge thank you to organisers for making it possible for three SWAN UK families in Scotland to attend this Christmas.”

A spokesperson from Calums Cabin also wrote in to pass on their appreciation to the IRN-BRU Carnival. They said: “Wow thank you so much! We are truly grateful. These tickets will hopefully let 2 families affected by childhood cancer make some lovely memories, when they need it the most. We can’t thank you enough!”

These free tickets are just another move by The IRN-BRU Carnival in their commitment to being inclusive. This year the Carnival’s Autism Friendly Sessions are back to allow those with autism or sensory processing difficulties a chance to enjoy the rides in an environment with reduced sound and light, and with smaller crowds and queues.

During the Autism Friendly sessions, the main hall lights will be on, music will be turned off or very low, and the rides will be slower where possible (although the ride lights will still be on).

Quiet areas will be open throughout the full Carnival run for anyone who needs them.

The IRN-BRU Carnival kicks off on Friday 22 December 2023 (closed Christmas Day) and will be open until Sunday 14 January 2024. Standard entry tickets are available from £18.50 with discounts available for groups, concessions and Young Scot card holders, and kids under three go free. Tickets are available online now at www.irn-bru-carnival.com

Sponsored Links

Glasgow City Council
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Glasgow Music City Tours
Fayre Play
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Open Pass Scotland
The Quay

Latest Glasgow News

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Gnoss release stirring new single Emily ahead of international festival run

Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!

READ MORE
Local treasures revealed ahead of Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life

Local treasures revealed ahead of Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life

Treasure Trove Scotland are inviting members of the public to bring their finds to be assessed as part of a family-friendly Archaeology Day at the National Museum of Rural Life.

READ MORE
Can you fling a piece oot a 20 storey flat... this Glasgow business wants to find out

Can you fling a piece oot a 20 storey flat... this Glasgow business wants to find out

To mark its 150th anniversary, Dunns Food and Drinks is launching The Great Dunns Piece Fling, a search for a high-rise flat to test the lyric 'ye cannae fling pieces oot a twenty-storey flat'!

READ MORE
Summer offers from the Kings and Theatre Royal Glasgow

Summer offers from the Kings and Theatre Royal Glasgow

ATG Entertainment launches their Summer Saver campaign with discounted tickets to over 100 shows including several at the King's Theatre and Theatre Royal in Glasgow!

READ MORE
Matthew Algie and Tinderbox launch limited edition menu in support of Beatson Cancer Charity

Matthew Algie and Tinderbox launch limited edition menu in support of Beatson Cancer Charity

Tinderbox and Glasgow roaster Matthew Algie have teamed up with Beatson Cancer Charity for the second year running – and this time, the menu’s three times bigger.

READ MORE
Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Dinosaur Day at Dobbies

Children attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!

READ MORE
Elements announces the return of its signature 444 lunch and cocktail experience to celebrate its first birthday

Elements announces the return of its signature 444 lunch and cocktail experience to celebrate its first birthday

Elements, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Bearsden, has announced the highly anticipated return of its signature 4/4/4 cocktail lunch offer, now featuring a brand-new selection of cocktails.

READ MORE
Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne joins the cast of The Battle at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

Gavin and Stacey star Mathew Horne joins the cast of The Battle at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

Horne will play the music industry executive who kicked off the race to No 1. between the two bands.

READ MORE
Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

Summer long celebration of the 90s and britpop launched

PubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.

READ MORE
Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

Family days out just got better with free entry for kids at Scone Palace

This summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.

READ MORE
Scone Palace International Horse Trials

Scone Palace International Horse Trials

The inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.

READ MORE
King Pins opens its doors in Glasgow

King Pins opens its doors in Glasgow

The state-of-the-art bowling and activity venue brings ten-pin & duck pin bowling, tech darts, ice-free curling, arcades and more to Glasgow's Silverburn!

READ MORE
Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Countdown begins: The AJ Bell Great Scottish Run returns to Glasgow in October

Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.

READ MORE
Glasgow retailer House Party relaunches with pop up at Pride Hub

Glasgow retailer House Party relaunches with pop up at Pride Hub

Beloved Glasgow indie House Party is back with a new model and a Pride pop-up at The Social Hub from 14–20 July!

READ MORE
Citizens Theatre announces first productions for 2026

Citizens Theatre announces first productions for 2026

With doors set to reopen this August, the Citizens Theatre has announced its programme from January - June 2026 as part of its reopening year of productions.

READ MORE
BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Plenty of summer family fun at Vue venues across Scotland

Family favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
CUPP launches brand new Boba Cafe Kiosk at Silverburn

CUPP launches brand new Boba Cafe Kiosk at Silverburn

CUPP, the cult-favourite boba tea brand known for its viral drinks and dedicated following, is opening an all-new Boba Café Kiosk in Silverburn.

READ MORE
Tenement Trail Festival Artist Announcement

Tenement Trail Festival Artist Announcement

Scotland’s multi-venue festival for music discovery, is back for 2025 with a first wave of 30+ unmissable artists including Manchester’s Pale Waves.

READ MORE
Topgolf launches exclusive experience inspired by The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Topgolf launches exclusive experience inspired by The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The limited-time experience is the first-of-its-kind at Topgolf Glasgow in collaboration with Marvel Studios!

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Zander Murray to host Pride events in Glasgow

Zander Murray to host Pride events in Glasgow

Scotland's first openly gay professional footballer is set to headline Pride events at The Social Hub Glasgow.

READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unveils 20th anniversary artwork created by local school pupils

Glasgow Fort unveils 20th anniversary artwork created by local school pupils

Artwork to celebrate the centre's 20th anniversary was officially unveiled at Glasgow Fort last week.

READ MORE
Glaschu announces two further exclusive dinners with chef Brian Maule

Glaschu announces two further exclusive dinners with chef Brian Maule

Glaschu, one of Glasgow's most established fine dining restaurants, will join forces once again with acclaimed chef, Brian Maule for two nights in August.

READ MORE
Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long

Cineworld announces 1 pound Family Films all summer long

Cineworld has today announced £1 Family Films, running every week from July 25, so that families can be more childish together all summer long.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE
The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way: A Brand New Street Festival for 2025

The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way: A Brand New Street Festival for 2025

This Sunday sees the arrival of a brand-new community event for 2025: The Big Sunday on Kelvin Way!

READ MORE
Take Me Somewhere Festival unveils 3 powerful performances ahead of full festival announcement

Take Me Somewhere Festival unveils 3 powerful performances ahead of full festival announcement

Three powerful performances by internationally acclaimed artists Dan Daw, Cherish Menzo and collective MEXA are revealed, in anticipation of full festival announcement on Tuesday 29th July.

READ MORE
Free travel for Armed Forces Day

Free travel for Armed Forces Day

First Bus offers free travel to all current serving members, veterans and cadets for Armed Forces Day celebrations across its network.

READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Media Shop
Renfrewshire Council
Great Run Company
Hilton Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Tea Green
East Renfrewshire Culture

Sponsored Links

Glasgow City Council
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Glasgow Music City Tours
Fayre Play
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Open Pass Scotland
The Quay
Media Shop
Renfrewshire Council
Great Run Company
Hilton Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Tea Green
East Renfrewshire Culture

Popular Events

FREE Open Air Cinema at QPA
Open-air cinema returns to Queen's Park Arena this summer with a selection of 'Cults & Classics' themed films!
Summer Nights at the Bandstand
The Summer Nights at the Bandstand festival returns to Kelvingrove Park for a tenth year with 13 nights of live music from elbow, Billy Ocean, Hue And Cry, Teenage Fanclub and many more!
Bard in the Botanics
Bard in the Botanics are delighted to be returning to Glasgow Botanic Gardens for Summer 2025 with their 'magic - mayhem - and murder' season!
Alexandra Park Festival Day
Platform's annual family Festival Day at Alexandra Park returns for 2025 on Saturday 19th July with live music, food & market stalls, kids activities and much more!
Oasis 96 & Kasabian’t
Can't make Oasis at Murrayfield? Experience the next best thing! Oasis 96 & Kasabiain't bring the anthems, attitude and energy of Oasis & Kasabian.

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro