Whats on Trafford Centre
Looking for what’s on at the Trafford Centre? This guide covers the main events at the shopping centre from October to the New Year, including our two Gandeys shows, the Christmas grotto and the leisure attractions you can fit around them. Our tour dates are always up to date. Gandeys Circus specializes in large-scale live entertainment under the Big Top.
Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular: 10 October to 1 November
The Halloween Spooktacular is a brand-new Big Top show for this autumn, with thrill acts and big production numbers built around a Halloween theme. It’s spooky but made for families, and it’s animal-free, with human performers only. It lasts around two hours including the interval, and children under two go free on a parent’s lap.
- Where: the Trafford Centre, Manchester, M17 8AA
- Opening day: Saturday 10th October at 12 noon, 2:30pm and 5:30pm
- Other dates: 2:30pm and 5:30pm, with 5:30pm only on Fridays 16th and 23rd October, and 12 noon and 2:30pm on the final Sunday, 1st November
- Half term: 2:30pm and 5:30pm daily, Monday 26th to Friday 30th October
- No shows: Monday 12th to Thursday 15th October, or Monday 19th to Thursday 22nd October
- Tickets: Side £9.99, Circle £14.99, Grandstand £17.99, Ringside £25 and Premium Ringside £35, plus a £1.95 booking fee per ticket. Family tickets cover two adults and two under-16s, or one adult and three under-16s.
- Opening day offer: all seats £9.99 on Saturday 10th October, with a £4 supplement for Ringside seats
Online sales close three hours before each show, but the on-site box office may still have seats.
Snowstorm 6: A Frozen Adventure: 4th December to 3rd January
Snowstorm is our Christmas ice spectacular, back for its sixth year at the Trafford Centre, Manchester. This season’s story is a rescue mission to free an enchanted princess trapped in an ice castle, with 16 international ice skaters, aerial artists, circus acts and special effects. It runs for 90 minutes including the interval.
- Where: the Trafford Centre, Manchester, M17 8AA
- Dates: Friday 4th December to Sunday 3rd January
- Box office: open on site from Monday 30th November, daily 11am to 7pm
- Booking: showtimes and prices are on the Snowstorm website
HARIBO Holly Jolly Grotto: from 20 November
The Trafford Centre’s Santa experience this year is the HARIBO Holly Jolly Grotto, running from Friday 20th November until Christmas. Children take part in games inspired by HARIBO sweets, then have a one-to-one visit with Santa. Tickets start at £20 per child for off-peak sessions.
Things to Do at the Trafford Centre All Year
The Trafford Centre has plenty under one roof if you arrive early for a show. The ODEON has 20 screens, including IMAX and Dolby Cinema. Namco Funscape has 18 bowling lanes, arcade games and dodgems, and Paradise Island Adventure Golf has two 18-hole indoor courses. The Orient is the food court, with restaurants on two floors.
Next door at Trafford Palazzo you’ll find LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester and SEA LIFE Manchester. Chill Factore and iFLY are also nearby in TraffordCity, and are booked separately.
Getting to the Trafford Centre
The Trafford Centre is located next to Junction 10 of the M60. Parking is free, with around 10,000 spaces. The Metrolink Trafford Park Line runs from Manchester city centre to The Trafford Centre stop, and the centre has its own bus station with services from across Greater Manchester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a circus at the Trafford Centre?
Yes. Gandeys Circus brings the Halloween Spooktacular to the Trafford Centre from 10th October to 1st November, with daily shows over half term.
What’s on at the Trafford Centre at Christmas?
The HARIBO Holly Jolly Grotto opens on 20 November, and Snowstorm 6: A Frozen Adventure runs from 4th December to 3rd January.
How do I book Gandeys shows at the Trafford Centre?
See show times and booking links on our tour dates page.
