McDonald’s is finally launching its full Christmas menu for 2023, and there’s lots of festive feasting to get stuck into.
It’s been a long time coming, but after several chains and fast food joints have unveiled and launched their festive food and drink offerings over the last few weeks, McDonald’s has finally joined the Christmas party today (22 November), and there’s a bunch of new and returning fan favourites on the lineup to get those mouths watering.
We’re talking Cheese Melt Dippers, Galaxy McFlurrys, limited-edition festive pies, and the highly-anticipated return of one of the chain’s most viral burgers of all time.
New to the menu this year is ‘The Big & Cheesy’ burger, which is made up of a large 100% beef patty, two slices of cheese, red onions, and crispy onions, topped in a cheese sauce and sandwiched between a toasted flour-dusted bun.
There’s also option to add bacon onto that too, with the new ‘The Big & Cheesy with Bacon’.
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McDonald’s is finally launching its 2023 Christmas menu today / Credit: McDonald’s UK
But when it comes to the star of the burger show, it doesn’t get much better – or more talked-about – than the return of the Chicken Big Mac.
Having proven to be a huge hit with Maccies’ fans after it first debuted back in 2022, going viral and selling out both on its initial release and first return, the Chicken Big Mac is a twist on the chain’s iconic burger with a triple-layered bun, two chicken patties, a slice of cheese, lettuce, pickles, and of course, the Big Mac sauce.
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Also being thrown back into the mix this year are the Cheese Melt Dippers, which are the perfect festive feast accompaniment made with camembert and served with a rich tomato dip.
Not only that, but this year’s festive menu brings with it the chance to order the ‘McDonald’s Chicken Combo’ – which includes 10 Chicken Selects and a 20 Chicken McNuggets Sharebox – for the first time in restaurants after it launched on delivery platforms earlier this month.
Got yourself a bit of sweet tooth though? There’s three treats to choose from this year.
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Fans of the axed Chocolate Pie and the soon-to-disappear Toffee Apple Pie will probably be pretty excited to give the new Galaxy Caramel Pie a try, which has a Galaxy-flavoured caramel sauce encased in a crispy chocolate pastry.
On the McFlurry front, there’s two new Galaxy offerings to go with your pie – one that’s swirled with chocolate sauce, and one with caramel, and both are topped off by little festive Galaxy stars.
The full McDonald’s 2023 Festive Menu is now available to tuck into, and is expected to stick around until the new year.
Featured Image – McDonald’s UK
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Manchester’s big wheel is returning to Exchange Square for the summer… sort of
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to reach new heights, as the big wheel that once stood proudly in the city centre is making a comeback this summer.
Well… sort of.
That’s because it’s not quite the same big wheel that many will remember from its glory days in locations like Piccadilly Gardens and Exchange Square throughout the 2000s, and more recently Albert Square during last year’s Manchester Christmas Markets – but it is a big wheel and it’s a big wheel that you’ll be able to hop on for a ride.
Celebrating the launch of its new Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range, Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday and Saturday (24 and 25 July), inviting people to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy panoramic views of the city below from a big Ferris wheel.
The two-day takeover will give customers the chance to unlock a ride on the big wheel with the purchase of any Grande or Venti iced drink from participating Manchester city centre Starbucks stores.
Both in participating stores – which in Manchester are Starbucks stores in the Arndale, City Tower Offices, on Market Street and on Fennel Street – and at the Ferris wheel itself in Exchange Square, you can expect complimentary Cloud Frappuccino-inspired candy floss, live music from DJ and presenter Ethan Porte, and a free photobooth with digital and printed photos.
Alongside the big wheel ride, there’ll also be the chance for members to win exclusive Starbucks merchandise across the two days too.
A limited number of additional ferris wheel ride tokens will also be available to win via the fairground-style Plinko game on site.
The new Starbucks Cloud Frappuccino blended drinks range includes a range of bespoke creations like the Strawberry Matcha Cloud Frappuccino, the Brown Sugar Cloud Frappuccino, and the Caramel Mocha Cloud Frappuccino.
With skyline views and summer sips, Starbucks says its Summer in the Clouds is set to be one of Manchester’s must-visit experiences this month.
Starbucks’ Summer in the Clouds arrives in Exchange Square next Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July.
Featured Image – Cédric Dhaenens (via Unsplash)
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Liam Fray says ‘yes’ to Courteeners supporting Oasis on tour amid rumoured 2027 dates
Danny Jones
Liam Fray has said that the Courteeners are ready to “answer the call” if/when it comes to supporting Oasis on their next big live tour, with rumours of dates for shows in 2027 ramping up.
The fellow Manc favourites were heavily suggested as potential support acts for the Live ’25 reunion gigs, but Cast and Richard Ashcroft were ultimately selected as the warm-ups for the world tour.
With that in mind, when asked if Courteeners would be ready to open up for Oasis on their still only hypothetical tour next year, Fray had a very quick answer:
Not to speak for the Middleton musician, but it’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.
As you can see, in a recent interview with Radio X host Johnny Vaughan promoting the indie rockers’ new single, ‘Plus One Forever’, the 41-year-old frontman made it clear that he and his bandmates would bite hands off if the other Liam and/or his brother Noel offered a slot to them.
The younger Gallagher brother definitely had plenty of fun teasing supports last time around, before making some fairly more obvious posts and then seemingly just announcing them on social media according to his own timeline.
LG does what he wants, after all.
As for the supposed ’12 nights at the Etihad Stadium’ reported recently, not to mention all the other sets across the country that would no doubt follow should they come to fruition, Fray could say little else other than simply “Yes” to the prospect.
Joking, “Well, it is from me – I don’t know if someone else has said no!”, there have been no other indications on this front, but it’s safe to say it’d be a huge booking for everyone involved and a HUGE crowd-pleaser; Liam looks to be working on one of his own, elsewhere, too…
The two lead singers have both graced the stage of the Emirates Old Trafford stadium at Lancashire County Cricket Club, as well as Heaton Park, respectively.
Liam noted that he was at Heaton Park himself for that unforgettable summer last year, and also praised Wigan’s very own Ashcroft for being “unbelievable” when he caught him at Wembley. Big shoes to fill. The question is, who would you like to see supporting Oasis on their possible tour dates in the future?
In the meantime, we’ll have to be satisfied with gearing up for the release of the highly-anticipated reunion documentary, with the title and a first trailer now revealed.
Emily Sergeant -
21st November 2023 
