The IRN-BRU Carnival is an annual indoor funfair taking place at the SEC Glasgow. This year Carnival runs from 22nd December 2023 - 14th January 2024. 

We are asking visitors to book their tickets in advance to ensure entry to the Carnival is as quick as possible. There will be a limited number of tickets available to purchase on the day, however, these are subject to availability, so we advise pre-booking to guarantee your ticket.

All tickets include entry and 10 vouchers per person which can be used on rides, most stalls and inflatable play. Additional vouchers can be purchased online and in the hall at £2 each or 5 for £8.

If you are purchasing a Concession (60+) ticket, you must bring a valid bus pass or other form of valid age ID. If you are purchasing a Young Scot Card discounted ticket, you must present your Young Scot Card on entry with your ticket. Failure to provide proof that you qualify for these offers may result in you being refused entry to the Carnival or being asked to pay for a full price ticket. Please note that the unbranded Saltire / NEC card is NOT accepted for the Young Scot discount - your card must be Young Scot branded.

There are no age limits throughout the IRN-BRU Carnival except for our Over 16's Session however, if you are 12 or under you must be accompanied by a responsible adult (aged 16 or above) at all times.

Please see the Ticket Prices page for further info and prices.

If you have questions about tickets, you have already booked, please visit See Tickets Customer Service.

There are no age limits throughout the IRN-BRU Carnival however, if you are 12 or under you must be accompanied by a responsible adult (aged 16 or above) at all times. 

Please note that the IRN-BRU Carnival is hosting an over 16’s session on Thursday 11 January 2024.  No one under that age will be admitted. Proof of age ID will be required upon entry.

The IRN-BRU Carnival has taken a number of measures to make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy their day out at the Carnival. However, please be aware that while we have made a great effort to provide facilities to accommodate as many access requirements as possible, there will inevitably be some areas and rides which still present a challenge for some.

Take a look at our Accessibility Guide which details measures including Carer tickets, Ride Access Passes and wheelchair hire, and if you have a question that is not answered by this guide, then please contact [email protected] and we'll do our best to help.

Autism Friendly sessions for Carnival are on Sunday 31st December 11am-2pm, and Tuesday 9th January 4pm-9pm, offering visitors with autism and sensory processing disorders the chance to enjoy the rides with less queues and crowds, and to get used to their environment.

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). At the end of each session, visitors to the Autism Friendly sessions are welcome to stay at the Carnival until it closes, but the music and lights will gradually return to their usual levels.

During the autism sessions there will also be quiet areas available, and sensory packs for guests.

Autism Friendly sessions are open to anyone who believes the environment will benefit them, and friends and family are welcome to join these sessions too.

We hope that these measures help as many people as possible to enjoy the IRN-BRU Carnival.

Baby changing facilities are available inside the Carnival and can be found in the Inflatable Play area – please note you will not need to use any vouchers to enter the Inflatable Play area to use the baby changing facilities.

There are also three further baby changing rooms accessible from the SEC's main concourse; two are on the main concourse adjacent to the central ladies’ toilets and the other is at the west end of the venue next to the west entrance. 

Bingo will only start when enough people are sitting ready to play. Please check the signs at the ticket desks for information on when the bingo will start each day. The cost is £12 for 6 games, and you can purchase bingo tickets at the ticket office on arrival.

On the main concourse of the SEC, there is a free of charge ATM, next to the SEC Box Office. In addition, there is another ATM located next to RS McColl’s, however, this does charge an administration fee for some services.

The Cloakroom is located on the main concourse and will be open for guests to deposit items for the duration of the event for a fee of £2 per item, per day. Please note: items cannot be left in the Cloakroom overnight.

Please be aware of any loose clothing you may be wearing and tuck it in or remove if possible before riding. Also, be aware of any loose items in your pockets such as mobile phones and money as there is a chance they could fall out while riding - The IRN-BRU Carnival is not responsible for any items which are lost or broken due to carelessness.

No-one will be allowed entry to The IRN-BRU Carnival wearing football colours. If attending following a football game, please ensure you have a change of clothing.

All complimentary tickets must be redeemed in advance of attending The IRN-BRU Carnival. Scan the QR code on your ticket, and select which day you would like to attend, and you will then receive an e-ticket which you must bring with you to be scanned at the entrance.

There are fully trained First Aid staff located on the concourse in the SEC.  If you do require medical attention, please contact any of the stewards or staff working at the event and they will assist you.

While there are no strobe lights throughout the Carnival, there are some rides that do have flashing lights. Our over 16's session on Thursday 11th January will contain stobe lighting. If you are concerned about this and need more information, please email [email protected]

Within the hall there are various food outlets selling everything from; candy floss, hot dogs, chicken, to burger & chips, plus the Clydebuilt restaurant on the SEC concourse will be serving a selection of family favourites. Please visit the Food & Drink page of the website for more details. 

Food outlets inside the hall close 30 minutes before the Carnival closes.

No-one will be allowed entry to the IRN-BRU Carnival wearing football colours.  If attending following a football game, please ensure you have a change of clothing.

We have gender neutral toilets in the main hall that can be accessed via a radar key. Should you wish to use these toilets, please speak to the stewards and they will give you the key to use them. These toilets are also accessible.

There is a discount for parties of 10 or more - please visit the Ticket Prices page of the website for more info.

Every ride operates to Height Restrictions to ensure the safety of our visitors - you can view the height restrictions for Carnival 2023/24 here.

Please note: in some cases, due to a visitor's build or size, the ride may be deemed unsuitable due to the restraints or locking mechanisms. The operator’s decision is final in all such instances due to health and safety.

The Inflatable Play is suitable for children 12 years and under 1.5m, and costs 3 x vouchers per child - you get 10 vouchers included in every ticket, and additional ones can be bought at the Carnival for £2 each, or 5 for £8. You can share your vouchers among your party, so don't worry if one person needs more than everyone else - and you can also use the vouchers on our rides and stalls. Vouchers cannot be used again on another day, so don't forget to use them all up!

Please note glasses cannot be worn on the inflatables.

If you lose your child, please contact one of the stewards immediately. You will then be directed to the collection point located in Hall 2.

All lost children/vulnerable adults will be taken to the collection point located in Hall 2 and held until safely re-united with a parent / guardian.

All lost property will be brought to the Organiser’s Office in the first instance; thereafter any items not collected will be passed to the SEC Security Control Room.

To contact the SEC Security Control Room, please visit https://www.sec.co.uk/about-the-sec/contact-the-sec

There is a meeting point located on the concourse and will be signed ‘Meeting Point’.  Please arrange in advance to meet your friends/family here should be separated during your visit.

If you lose your accompanying adult or are an adult who has lost their child, please look for a steward or a member of staff who will direct you to the collection point located in the Admissions Hall.

A multi-faith prayer room is available to visitors - please contact a steward on site and they will direct you.

All visitors require an entry ticket, even if they do not plan to go on rides themselves. Vouchers can be used on the stalls as well as the rides and the inflatable play area. Vouchers can also be shared throughout your party so if you choose not to ride or play the stall games yourself, then you can pass your 10 vouchers to others in your party.

Please see the Opening Times page for full details.

There is a multi-storey car park situated at Congress Way which is operated by Glasgow City Council.

Charges are set by Glasgow City Council and it costs £11 for 1-12 hours which can be paid at the car park pay station. https://www.sec.co.uk/visitor-information/how-to-get-here/car-parking 

Vehicles over 1.9m should park in car park 5 which is located to the West side of the SEC.

Please note that the multi-storey car park does occasionally reach capacity - in the event that it is full, you can find alternative car parks here.

There will be days/times when the Carnival is busy. This means queues will form for rides, however, there will be signs posted near the queue which will indicate the length of time you may have to wait before riding.

On entry to the Carnival, you will be hand stamped. This means you can leave and return on the same day. The hand stamp changes daily.

All tickets are for a specific day, and are non-refundable once purchased. If you purchased your tickets via See Tickets and wish to change the date of your visit, please visit https://www.seetickets.com/customerservice and enter your order details, and you will be able to swap your dates (subject to availability).

We have a large selection of rides suitable for all ages. All rides operate a height restriction for safety purposes and will be published in advance for your information.

In some cases, due to build or size, the ride may be deemed unsuitable for individuals due to the restraints, locking mechanisms etc.  The operator’s decision is final in this instance.

Please note, in exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to close a ride without advance warning. The IRN-BRU Carnival apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Trains leave Glasgow Central (Platform 17 Lower Level) approximately every 10 mins to Exhibition Centre station - for further details, routes and times please check out the Scotrail website.

Please note train strikes are currently planned to take place during the Carnival, so visitors should check their journey well in advance.

In general audio and video recording equipment and professional cameras are not permitted. However, small non-professional cameras and phone cameras are permitted for personal use.

Professional photographers should contact [email protected] for express permission to photograph their event.

Please be advised that organisers of The IRN-BRU Carnival will be taking photographs and filming the show for marketing purposes. By entering the hall, you consent to being filmed or photographed, and the use of such material. If you do not want to participate or have any questions, please contact us or inform a member of staff in the Organiser’s Office.

Vouchers can be used on rides, game stalls and Inflatable Play. All rides are 1 voucher per ride, stalls are 2 per game and Inflatable Play is 3 per child who wants to play. (Adults accompanying children into the inflatable play area do not have to use their vouchers for entry.) Please note dodgem cars are designed for 2 people and each person will require a voucher. If you wish to ride the Dodgems alone it will cost 2 vouchers. Please note that there are also some cash taking attractions in the hall that take cash only. Vouchers, including those included with entry tickets, can only be used on the day they are purchased for, so make sure you use them up during your visit! 

Our over 16s session will run on Thursday 11th January 2024, 4pm – 9pm.  This adults only session will delight with the rides showing off their own banging playlists, strobe lighting and great selfie opportunities . 

The Inflatable Play Area, Bungee Trampolines and Juvenile rides will be closed for this session. All thrill rides, family rides, stalls and food vendors will be available.

There is also an opportunity to see DJ Dominique, who will be performing from 5:30pm – 6:15pm. Access to this area will be via a wristband only. This can be added alongside your tickets during the online booking process. This will be on a first come first served basis.

Young Scot tickets will still be available to purchase for those 16 years and over, along with other ticket types, so remember to use your discount! Child tickets will not be available for this event. To book, click here.

Proof of age ID will be required upon entry. Bag and random body searching will take place.

Please note Carnival is an alcohol-free event. Anyone appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to enter.

The rides and attractions that will be closed during this event are; Inflatable Play, Mini Wheel, Cups & Saucers, Mini Miami, Baby Apple, Toyset, Monster Trucks.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding the session or strobe/flashing lights please get in touch at [email protected]

The days prior to Christmas and the final week are generally quieter times to visit, however, please be aware we cannot guarantee this. Please note that the days immediately after New Year's Day are often particularly busy, and if you attend on these days, you should be prepared for longer queues to get into the Carnival and onto each ride.

Anyone found to be smoking, vaping, or consuming alcohol inside the Carnival will be asked to leave.

Additionally, as per the Carnival’s Terms of Entry, and the SEC’s Terms and Conditions, customers should note that they may be refused entry or ejected from the venue on account of being (or appearing to be) underage (where relevant), abusive, threatening, drunken, declining to be searched, carrying offensive weapons or illegal substances or for any other anti-social behaviour. Full terms and conditions are available to view as below:

Carnival Terms of Entry; https://www.irn-bru-carnival.com/visiting/terms-of-entry

SEC Terms & Conditions; https://www.sec.co.uk/terms-conditions

The Carnival offers a Ride Access Pass to guests who are unable to stand in queues due to a disability. The pass is available in addition to paying for standard entry and can be used by eligible guests to access the ride via the exit barrier (please note that on busy days a small queue may form at the ride exit but every effort will be made to avoid long waiting times). This access is intended to provide a reduced waiting time compared to the standard queue line, although this cannot always be guaranteed. The eligible guest plus one of their visiting parties will be able to access the ride in this way.

You can request a Ride Access Pass while booking your tickets online.

To ensure the system remains beneficial to those who rely on it, the Organiser reserves the right to check a person's eligibility under the Equality Act.

Once you have booked your tickets, you will need to upload your proof of eligibility. Accepted documents include:

• A current Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance award letter showing that you receive the higher rate mobility component.
• A current Personal Independence Payment letter showing that you receive enhanced mobility component or equivalent documentation from the Adult Disability Payment.
• A current and valid Blue Badge.
• A current and valid Access Card including the queueing logo on it.
• A letter from your GP or consultant, or a professional body (e.g. a Nurse or a BUPA Healthcare Advisor) on header paper (dated within the last 24 months) which clearly states that you are unable to queue and why. Please note we do not need a letter of diagnosis.

Unfortunately, no dogs or pets are allowed into the venue other than assistance dogs.

All discounts and ticket types are available here.

If you purchased your tickets via the IRN-BRU Carnival website, which is operated by See Tickets, you can login to your SEE Tickets account by visiting https://www.seetickets.com/customerservice. Once you have logged in using your order details you will have the option to change the date of your visit (subject to availability). 

If you purchased via another ticket agent, those agents do not offer the option to swap your dates and, as per the terms of purchase, tickets are non-exchangeable and non-transferable.

Alternatively, you can give your tickets to friends or family, or our official ticketing partners allow customers to sell tickets they are no longer able to use through their websites.

If you purchased via the event website (SeeTickets), you can use Fan-to-Fan; https://www.seetickets.com/content/fan-to-fan

If you purchased via Ticketmaster, you can use Ticketmaster Exchange;  https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ticket-exchange

• Tickets are not refundable.
• On arrival, all visitors must go to the ticket desks in the Admissions Hall to have their tickets scanned and collect their ride vouchers.
• Tickets cannot be exchanged, transferred, or resold for commercial gain.
• Visitors will not be allowed admission to Carnival without a valid ticket.
• If you have purchased a Young Scot ticket, you must present your Young Scot card at the ticket desks in the Admissions Hall with your ticket, otherwise you may be refused entry.
• Once issued, vouchers cannot be transferred to another day - please ensure you use all your vouchers.
• Visitors aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult (aged 16 or above) at all times.
• For the safety of visitors to the Carnival, the Organisers reserve the right to refuse admission, and bag and security searches will be conducted on entry.
• It is strictly prohibited to bring any of the following items into Carnival including; any weapons, fireworks, smoke bombs, glass bottles or other articles which may cause injury. Any person found to be in possession of an article deemed to be offensive or dangerous will be immediately escorted from the Carnival without any right to a refund.
• Groups of visitors or individuals acting in a threatening or aggressive manner may be asked to disperse, or ejected from the Carnival without a refund.
• The Organisers reserve the right to alter or vary the content or timing of the whole or any part of the Carnival due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control without being obliged to refund or exchange tickets.
• The Organiser reserves the right to temporarily close or change a ride without advance notice.
• All rides operate a height restriction for safety purposes. In some cases, a ride may be deemed unsuitable for a visitor due to the restraints or locking mechanisms. The operator’s decision is final in all such decisions.
• Please be aware of any loose items in your pockets such as mobile phones and money which may fall out while riding. The Organisers cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage to personal property brought to the Carnival.
• Please be advised that the Organiser's of the IRN-BRU Carnival will be taking photographs and filming the show for marketing purposes. By entering the hall, you consent to being filmed or photographed, and the use of such material. If you do not want to participate or have any questions, please contact us or inform a member of staff in the Organiser’s Office.
• CCTV is in use at the IRN-BRU Carnival
• Audio and video recording equipment and professional cameras are not permitted. However, small non-professional cameras and phone cameras are permitted for personal use only. 
• Visitors will not be allowed entry if under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.
• Visitors will not be allowed entry wearing football colours. If attending following a football game, please ensure you have a change of clothing.

Anyone breaching the terms of entry may be refused entry to, or ejected from the Carnival without a refund.

Before you contact us, please read the FAQs in full as your question may be answered here. As we receive a very high volume of emails, if your question is answered here, we will not respond to your email. If you do need to contact the Carnival team, please do so by emailing [email protected], and we will aim to get back to you within 2 working days.