Looking for what’s on at Metro Centre this October and beyond? The Metrocentre in Gateshead offers a fantastic range of shopping, restaurants, leisure attractions and seasonal events. Whether you’re planning a family day out, meeting friends for food and drinks, or bringing the kids to see a spectacular circus, there’s plenty to enjoy.
From Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus to cinema trips, soft play and Halloween activities, you can create a full day of entertainment without travelling between multiple locations. Check our website for the latest tour dates, ticket information and event details before making your plans.
Whats On Metro Centre
Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus
Gandeys Circus brings its Big Top to the Metro Centre Coach Park from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026. This exciting production, Gandey’s K-Pop Dragon Circus 2026, combines colourful costumes, daring stunts and a magical story designed to entertain children and adults alike.
Ringmaster Joel and his clown companion La Laoka discover a baby dragon and set off on a journey to reunite her with her mother. Along the way, audiences can enjoy motorbike riders inside the Globe of Death, a Chinese Lion Dance, impressive balancing acts, acrobatics and comedy, all set to Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus England and Western pop music.
The show lasts approximately two hours, including the interval, and features human performers only, with no animals. Children under two go free when seated on a parent’s lap; you can check further Gandeys Circus FAQs if you need more practical details before booking.
Show dates and times
- Location: Metro Centre Coach Park, Gateshead, NE11 9SY.
- Dates: Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2026.
- Weekends: 12 noon, 2:30pm and 5:30pm, except for the final 5:30pm performance on Sunday 1 November, which does not take place.
- Half term: 2:30pm and 5:30pm daily from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October, plus a noon show on Friday 30th October.
Tickets and admission price
There is a range of seating options to suit different budgets. Side seats cost £9.99, Circle seats £14.99, Grandstand seats £17.99, Ringside seats £25 and Premium Ringside seats £35. A £1.95 booking fee applies per ticket.
For the opening performance at 12 noon on Saturday 24th October, all seats are £9.99, with a £4 supplement for Ringside.
Family tickets cover two adults and two under-16s, or one adult and three under-16s. Prices are £64 for Grandstand, £85 for Ringside and £120 for Premium Ringside.
The on-site box office opens on Wednesday 21st October. Call 07882005813 for telephone enquiries or use the dedicated Gandeys Circus contact details if you prefer to book or ask questions online. Online sales close a few hours before each performance, although remaining seats may be available at the box office. Visit our Gandeys Circus 2026 tour dates page to find the latest information.
Food and Drinks at the Big Top
Make time for refreshments during your visit. The Big Top has a hot food counter, hot and cold drinks, candy floss and popcorn. Outside food isn’t permitted inside the tent, so you can plan your meal around the available facilities, similar to how you might combine a show with food and shopping at Gandeys Circus at Trafford Centre Manchester.
Metro Retail Park
The Metrocentre, officially styled as one word, opened in 1986 and celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. With more than 270 stores and around 60 places to eat, it’s a major destination for shopping, dining and entertainment in the North East.
Metro Retail Park and MetrOasis sit beside the main centre, offering additional stores and separate parking areas. Remember that these car parks have a four-hour maximum stay, while the main centre car parks offer free parking without a time limit. The metrOasis area features Krispy Kreme and Starbucks as well as Toby Carvery and Burger King, much like the mix of dining and retail around Gandeys Circus at Trafford Centre Manchester.
The shopping centre is divided into Red, Blue, Yellow and Green malls, each with its own car park and selection of stores. Checking your destination before arriving can save valuable time.
Fashion, beauty and homeware are well represented. Marks & Spencer is near the Green car park, TK Maxx and HomeSense are near Blue, and Zara is near Red. Whether you’re looking for clothes, gifts or home essentials, there’s plenty to explore.
Soft Play
Namco Funscape
Located at Unit 244, Garden Walk, Namco Funscape combines bowling, dodgems and arcade games. It’s a great way to bring some extra fun into a shopping trip, particularly when visiting with kids.
The soft play area caters for children under eight and up to 145cm tall. Sessions last 90 minutes, and children must wear socks. The advertised admission price is £7.95, including entry for two adults, while babies under 12 months cost £2 each. Check the latest prices and opening hours before visiting.
Toddler mornings take place before 11am, Monday to Thursday during term time. The £7.95 admission includes a small hot drink and a children’s juice, giving under-fives a chance to enjoy a quieter play session.
Permanent activities at the Metrocentre include Treetop Adventure Golf and Namco Funscape. Treetop Golf has two 18-hole mini golf courses whereas Namco Funscape has an 18-lane bowling alley. In addition, Clip & Climb offers 26 climbing walls and a drop slide, so you can build a full day out just as you might when visiting Gandeys Circus at Trafford Centre Manchester.
More Leisure Activities
Clip ‘n Climb features colourful, themed climbing walls for children and adults. Visitors can develop confidence, learn climbing skills and work towards the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme.
Treetop Golf offers indoor adventure golf, making it a fun choice for families, older children and groups of friends when the weather turns wild.
The ODEON cinema in the Yellow Mall has 17 screens, including IMAX with Laser, RealD and 3D. With restaurants nearby, it’s easy to combine a film with dinner or a quick bite.
Gazillion Reasons to Visit
Halloween at Exhibition Square
From Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, Exhibition Square is scheduled to host The Wizarding World of Metrocentre. The themed display includes a magical hut, a spider-themed car and motorbike, and photo opportunities, making it another seasonal highlight alongside events such as Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus at Trentham.
On 30 and 31 October, walkabout characters and wand-making activities give children the chance to create their own magical keepsake. Combine this experience with an afternoon circus performance to make the most of half term.
Christmas Shopping and Seasonal Events
The Christmas Crafters Showcase is scheduled to run from 23 November to 23 December 2026, with independent makers selling handmade gifts near Primark. It’s an opportunity to find something different while completing your Christmas shopping and, if you’re still deciding whether to book, you can read Gandeys Circus reviews and testimonials to see what other families thought of the show.
Restaurants and Food
With around 60 places to eat, there’s a wide range of restaurants, cafés and quick-service options. The Yellow Mall is particularly convenient before or after a circus show or cinema visit, just as visitors to Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus in Jersey 2026 often combine their performance with local dining. Look out for offers at familiar names such as PizzaExpress and Frankie & Benny’s, and consider booking a table before a popular evening performance. Some examples of restaurants include Restaurants include Bella Italia, Nando’s, and Pizza Express.
H Beauty
Visitors interested in beauty products can also look for H Beauty in the centre’s shopping directory. From cosmetics and fragrances to beauty inspiration and premium brands, it’s worth checking the official store listing for current location and opening information before adding it to your plans.
Ready to visit? Explore the Metrocentre’s website, check event dates and book your circus tickets in advance. With shopping, restaurants, soft play, climbing, cinema and seasonal entertainment, there are a gazillion reasons to visit and enjoy a memorable day out.
