This Easter, Metrocentre is inviting younger visitors and their families to step back in time with a journey through its playful and immersive ‘Retro Mini Metro’, one of several special attractions planned to celebrate the centre’s 40th anniversary.
Running in Exhibition Square from Monday 6 April to Sunday 19 April, the Retro Mini Metro experience gives children the chance to explore a vibrant, creative world of role-play where their imaginations can run free.
There’s the chance to explore what it might be like to work behind the counters of make-believe toy and clothing stores, give or receive beauty treatments in the salon, even serve tickets and hotdogs in the cinema. All of which gives children the chance to learn and practice real-life skills in communication, teamwork and money basics.
Merging past with present, there are also throwbacks to the iconic Metroland Arcade and Clockworks Food Court, offering youngsters a glimpse into what Metrocentre was like in the 1980s, 1990s and early noughties – while parents relive memories from their own youth.
Metrocentre Retro Mini Metro Beauty Salon
Centre Director, Gavin Prior, said:
‘Retro Mini Metro really brings to life, in a fun and interactive way, just how much Metrocentre has evolved over its four decades – and continues to evolve.
‘From revisiting highlights from the centre’s past to showcasing its present-day appeal, this family-friendly attraction celebrates the dynamic nature of Metrocentre, aiming to inspire shoppers for generations to come.’
Catering primarily for children aged seven years and under, Retro Mini Metro will be open from 11am until 4pm daily, with no need to book.
Admission is free but a donation of £2 is encouraged, with all proceeds raised going to the Daisy Chain Project to support their work empowering autistic and neurodivergent individuals through the provision of holistic person-centred services.
Alongside these essential support services, Daisy Chain also promotes training, wellbeing, inclusion and acceptance, both regionally and nationwide, and operates a charity megastore just down the road in Team Valley creating jobs for neurodivergent people in a safe, understanding environment.
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<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/rupaul-in-drag-right-a-concert-in-montreal-s-parc-jean-drapeau.jpg?id=61417017&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=97%2C0%2C98%2C0"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-pride" target="_blank">Montreal Pride</a> is nearly in full swing — and Piknic Électronik just dropped one of the season's biggest surprises.</p><p>On Wednesday, the festival announced that RuPaul will perform a DJ set at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Friday, September 13, as part of its <em>Off Piknic</em> series. The one-night event promises high energy and even higher heels.</p><p>If you've never seen RuPaul behind the decks, now's your chance. Piknic says to expect dance, pop, house, disco, and "guaranteed good vibes." And based on Ru's decades-long reign as a pop culture force, it's shaping up to be a major highlight on Montreal's party calendar.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMxsMcEMo9F/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=823dfc0c-2e59-46b8-987f-c2a803546c94" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMxsMcEMo9F/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=823dfc0c-2e59-46b8-987f-c2a803546c94" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>For the unfamiliar, RuPaul Charles is the self-professed Queen of Drag and the Emmy-winning host of <em>RuPaul's Drag Race</em>, which has helped bring drag culture into the mainstream around the world. A recording artist, model, and media mogul, RuPaul has been performing and producing music since the 90s, with hits like "Supermodel (You Better Work)" and a long list of club tracks to her name.</p><p>RuPaul was just in Montreal this past March, when her <em>House of Hidden Meanings</em> book tour made a stop at the Olympia Theatre.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C95N_JDJZAa/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C95N_JDJZAa/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>The full lineup for the September 13 show will be revealed soon. In the meantime, fans can gear up for tickets:</p> <ul> <li> Presale for Piknic subscribers and SMS list: Tuesday, August 6 at 11 a.m.</li> <li> General sale: Wednesday, August 7 at 11 a.m.</li> </ul> <p>Piknic Électronik runs every Sunday until October 12 at Parc Jean-Drapeau, with occasional <em>Off Piknic</em> events like this one throughout the season. You can keep up with updates or sign up for presale access at <a href="https://piknicelectronik.com/en" target="_blank">piknicelectronik.com</a>.</p><h3>RuPaul live at Piknic Electronik</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMWHPn3yDJS/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMWHPn3yDJS/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Tickets: Presale opens Tuesday, August 6 at 11 a.m. (for subscribers and SMS list), General sale begins Wednesday, August 7 at 11 a.m.</p><p>When: Friday, September 13, 2025</p><p>Address: Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: It's not every day the queen of drag throws down a DJ set in Montreal...</p><p><a href="https://piknicelectronik.com/en" target="_blank">Piknic Electronik website</a></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>