The time has come, 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 McDonald’s 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.
Image: McDonald's
There’s also option to add bacon onto that too, with the new ‘The Big & Cheesy with Bacon’.
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.
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.
Image: McDonald's UK
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.
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.
Tesco has officially unveiled its Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026, and has revealed when it’ll be arriving in stores.
Spooky season may not have even arrived yet, but it won’t be long before the most wonderful time of the year is here and most of the UK’s major supermarkets have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas food, drink, and gifts galore.
Tesco has now unveiled all the sandwiches and snacks forming part of its iconic lunchtime meal deal selection.
10 new seasonal mains and sides have been launched this year, as well as some classics and returning fan favourites too.
Images: Tesco
The retailer says its food on-the-go experts have worked hard to bring a variety of festive flavours and great-quality ingredients together this year, with something on offer to cater to all tastes and preferences.
Available in stores and online from next week, with Tesco Clubcard members paying just £3.80 or £5.50 to upgrade to a Premium Meal Deal, some of the all-new main options you can choose from in 2026’s festive lineup include the Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich, the Christmas Triple Sandwich, and the Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise.
Other returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, the Currywurst Sausage Sub, and the absolute classic Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich.
For veggies and vegans, there’s a new Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, and for those who follow a gluten free diet, you can grab the Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings sandwich.
When it comes to snacks to accompany those mains, the festive Mini Pork Pies and Pig in Blanket Sausage Rolls are returning to the lineup this year, alongside some new additions like the Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip, and Mini Cheese Twists.
The 2026 Tesco Christmas Meal Deal range will be in stores across the UK from Monday 12 October, and there’s thousands of combinations to try.
Yorkshire-set Christmas film by Leeds director starring Richard E. Grant set to hit UK cinemas next month
Clementine Hall
A brand-new Christmas film is hitting cinemas nationwide next month - and it’s a proper Leeds success story.
Jack Spring directed his first feature film at just 19 years old and has spent the last decade carving out a career in independent film, as well as co-founding Leeds-based production company Shush Films.
His first movie, Destination: Dewsbury, was shot just down the road in - you guessed it - Dewsbury. And after moving to Leeds from Grimsby, Jack became determined to build his business from the city, putting down roots and growing his production company here.
Image: Supplied
Now, after years of working on independent projects, Jack has taken his biggest leap yet with a brand-new Christmas film, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint.
Set in Yorkshire, Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint follows Aubrey Flint, a reclusive model soldier painter with a lifelong hatred of Christmas, who is sentenced to community service at Willow Lodge - a retirement home on the brink of closure.
Roped into helping with a chaotic production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Aubrey clashes with its interesting set of residents...
And the cast is about as star-studded as it gets, featuring Richard E. Grant, John Bradley, Celia Imrie, Adjoa Andoh, Sophia Di Martino, Adrian Rawlins and Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Image: Supplied
The heartwarming festive comedy will hit cinemas nationwide on Friday 6 November - a huge milestone for a Leeds-based director and production company, taking a homegrown Yorkshire story to audiences across the country.
You just can't beat a proper wholesome British Christmas film, so you can best believe we'll be watching in the cinema, popcorn in hand.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd November 2023 
