Artists that have performed at the venue include Status Quo,[2] AC/DC,[3] The Cure,[4] Wham!,[5] Iron Maiden, KISS, Metal Church, Metallica, Kylie Minogue,[6] New Kids on the Block,[7] Oasis,[8] Pet Shop Boys, Sting,[9] The Stone Roses[10] and Take That,[11] among others.

However, the WWE then WWF held three wrestling house shows at the rink in 1993 with wrestlers such as The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Randy Savage, Razor Ramon, Diesel, Ted Dibiase and Yokozuna appearing.

[citation needed] Even though the series was set in Derby, Whitley Bay Ice Rink was chosen because the production company had used the venue on numerous occasions in the past.

2008 saw the rink undertake several improvements, such as new barriers and plexiglass, bench doors for hockey players and a new Zamboni (an ice resurfacer).

The Newcastle Vipers played their remaining home games at Whitley Bay ice rink due to the Utilita Arena not participating in holding sports events anymore.