A Friends Festival is coming to London this weekend and could we BE any more excited?!
To celebrate the launch of the new Friends Meal at McDonald’s, the fast food chain is hosting a three-day event in Leicester Square inspired by the iconic 90s sitcom.
Expect exclusive cinema screenings, fun photo moments, and plenty of free food.
Not only will you be able to enjoy episodes of your favourite show on the big screen, but you can also get your hands on a free Friends Meal, complete with a mini figurine of either Ross, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey or Chandler.
What is McDonald’s Friends Festival?
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McDonald’s is taking over Leicester Square from February 6 to 8 in collaboration with Warner Bros.
The chain says they are doing a ‘full-scale takeover’ of Leicester Square, turning it into the ‘utlimate’ Friends fan destination, complete with the iconic orange sofa, a giant foosball table showdown and Joey and Chandler’s recliners.
Visitors can watch episodes of the show on the big screen at Cineworld, Vue and Odeon with a Friends Meal (while stock lasts), and there will also be a free AI photobooth that turns people into a Friends-style toy character.
If you love the image, you’ll also be able to have it printed on a t-shirt to take home with you for free.
McDonald’s Friends Tour Dates:
Leicester Square, London – February 6 – 8
Broughton – February 9
Basildon – February 10
Bolton – February 11
Bracknell – February 12
Dalton Park – February 13
Newport, Wales – February 14
Boldon Tyne & Wear – February 15
Swindon Shaw Ridge – February 16
Glasgow Silverburn – February 17
St Helens – February 18
Belfast – February 19
Where is Friends Festival, and how do I get tickets?
From Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 8, the event will be happening in London’s Leicester Square, but will be going on tour across 12 locations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Locations include Broughton, Basildon, Bolton, Bracknell, Dalton Park, Newport, Boldon Tyne & Wear, Swindon Shaw Ridge, Glasgow Silverburn, St Helens and Belfast.
To join in all the fun, you’ll need a ticket. They’re completely free but will likely go fast. To get yours, visit www.mcdonaldsfriendsfestival.com
McDonald’s launched its new Friends Meal nationwide on February 3.
The meal features a Big Mac, McPlant or 9 McNuggets, and prices start from £9.09.
As Metro’s specialist food writer, I was invited down to McDonald’s HQ in London ahead of the Friends Meal launch to try it before it launches, and I have some thoughts…
Toys aside, the meal itself is pretty standard, filled with classics from the menu; the only other new item in the mix is a sauce called Monica’s Marinara.
I didn’t have high hopes for the sauce. McDonald’s has launched many tomato dips and salsas over the years, and they all taste pretty much identical. So, I was expecting more of the same from this, just repackaged with Friends branding — but I was pleasantly surprised.
The sauce is made with tomatoes, onions, herbs, and garlic, and tastes just like pizza. There’s something so quintessentially American about it, which is exactly what you want for a show set in New York.
My final verdict is that the toy is the main selling point, as the food itself is a little lacklustre. As Friends is such a foodie show, it feels like this launch was the perfect excuse to get creative, and they missed the mark.
A meatball marinara sub could have been interesting, or perhaps a fast food twist on Ross Geller’s infamous moist maker sandwich?
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