“FriendsFest is the one thing that fills that Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey-shaped hole in our lives since the best show ever made ended in 2004.” The Metro
Friendsfest, the ultimate touring celebration of the Friends TV sitcom, is back in the UK for a twelve week stint across six locations. The outdoor event, presented by Comedy Central and The Luna Cinema, captures the very best Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey moments and we visited during its nine day run at Preston Park in Brighton.
When your daughter is a die-hard Friends super fan Friendsfest is the ultimate day out. We took a set tour where we hung out in Joey and Chandler’s apartment, milled about in the corridor between the two most well know apartments on TV before checking out the immaculately tidy home of Monica. New for 2018, is the apartment of paleontologist Ross Geller and the chance to recreate the famous pivot furniture moving scene from one of the popular episodes. Original props from the show are displayed including Phoebe’s guitar and Joey’s Hugsy cuddly toy among many others.
The biggest queue was to recreate the titles scene with the colourful umbrellas and of course a visit to a Friends event wouldn’t be complete without stopping at Central Perk to hang out on the sofa and listen to the best of Phoebe’s back catalogue. Regular performances of Smelly Cat and other such ‘hits’ were performed by the event’s very own Phoebe impersonator. Coffee and cakes were available to purchase onsite as well as Friends themed food trucks such as Oh.My.God Hot Dogs, Joey’s Pizzas and Phoebe’s vegetarian offerings.
We donned a couple of bedraggled wedding dresses to grab a photo at Ross & Rachel’s Vegas chapel of love, snapped a shot of Phoebe grandma’s taxi and watched some loved moments from the show on the big screen. Of course you exit through the gift shop, the on site Friendsfest shop that offers exclusive memorabilia such as Friends logo t-shirts and mugs, unbelievably the £25 Hugsy plush toys were sold out! Looking for a great day out? Visit Friendsfest in Brighton until 16th September 🙂
Friendsfest 2018
Location: Preston Park, Preston Park, Brighton, BN1 6SD
Website: friendsfest.co.uk
Dates: 7th – 16th September 2018 (London – Kennington Park 21st – 30th September 2018)
Opening Hours: Sunday – Wednesday from 12 noon – 9pm (site opens at 11.45am, last set tour 8:30pm). Thursday – Saturday 12 noon – 10:30pm (site opens at 11.45am, last set tour 10pm)
Ticket Prices: £27.50 admission (including booking fee – excludes transaction fees)
All views are all my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2018. All rights reserved