Irn-Bru Carnival 2022: this is when tickets go on sale, with free tickets for charities and community groups

The popular festival event returns to Glasgow later this year – and community groups and charities are being urged to apply for free tickets.

As tickets go on sale for this year’s event, charities and community groups are invited to apply for free tickets to the opening session on the afternoon of 23 December.

Whether you’re into the excitement of waltzing or climbing walls, rogue antics or inflatable play fun, Carnival 2022 will be full of familiar family favorites and exciting new attractions.

And with 500 free tickets available for the first day, local charities and community groups are invited to apply for tickets and be the first to experience this year’s event.

Aware of the challenges everyone faces with the rising cost of living, Irn-Bru Carnival has also introduced a cheaper ‘early bird ticket’ which allows people to take advantage of a cheaper lower ticket price and also encouraging visitors to buy their tickets earlier to spread the cost of their visit.

Early Bird tickets are available to purchase until 22 December, priced at £17.50 for general admission and include 10 x tokens to use on rides and stalls.

The first entertainment of the 2022 carnival will also be an autism-friendly session – from 12pm to 3pm – to ensure the event is as accessible as possible for lucky ticket holders.

First launched in 2018, Autism Friendly Sessions offer visitors with autism and other sensory processing disorders and their families and carers the opportunity to enjoy a festive day out in a more relaxed environment.

From 12:00-15:00 on the opening day, the main hall lights will be on and the music will be turned off or very low. Where possible, rides will run slightly slower (although their lights will still be on) and quiet areas will be available around the event at the SEC in Glasgow. At the end of the Autism Friendly Session, the lights and music will gradually return to their usual levels and visitors to this session are welcome to stay as long as they like.

Applications will be open until September 16, where groups are asked to send an e-mail [email protected] outlining details about their community group and the number of tickets they would like to claim, up to a maximum of 10 per group (additional tickets can be purchased if required).

“We’re excited to get the festive season rolling and welcome everyone to Irn-Bru Carnival,” said Greg Cherry, managing director of organisers, QD Events.

“It’s been a tough few years, but ever since we were forced to close our doors last year due to the Covid-19 measures put in place during the event, we’ve been looking forward to coming back bigger and better than ever .

“Irn-Bru Carnival is a festive institution. We know how much the town has missed him and the messages of support and kindness we have received from the local community have meant so much to us.

“We understand that there are rising costs this Christmas and increased demand on community groups and charities. We are aiming to try and help as many people as possible enjoy the Irn-Bru Carnival through our community gift initiative and Early Bird ticket prices.

“We know how much people have missed the carnival and we are ready to make 2022/23 one to remember.”

The Irn-Bru Carnival returns on Friday, December 23 and will be open until January 25, 2023 at the SEC.

Standard entry tickets are available from £17.50, with discounts available for groups, concessions and Young Scot cardholders, and children under three go free.

Tickets are available online from September 1 at www.irn-bru-carnival.com.