BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the comedy series Friends, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood announces the return of Friendsgiving with a Studio Tour focused on the beloved television show.  Beginning November 8, guests can enjoy a 90-minute Friends-themed Studio Tour, a holiday Friendsgiving meal next to the iconic Friends Fountain, and see authentic props and costumes from the show.

"We're thrilled to bring back Friendsgiving for fans to celebrate," said Danny Kahn, Vice President & General Manager of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood.  "The show continues to touch the hearts of audiences worldwide, and we are excited to join in celebrating its 30th anniversary with this themed tour."

Arriving guests will be greeted by a curated 30th anniversary lobby display showcasing authentic costumes from Friends, perfect for photo opportunities.  The guided tour will last 90 minutes, and expert Tour Guides will take guests across the historic Warner Bros. Studio backlot, highlighting key filming sites from memorable Friends episodes, including Stage 24, the famed Friends stage.  Friendsgiving tours will include engaging trivia and custom media clips featuring characters from the television show.

Following the tour, guests will delight in a festive holiday meal served at the iconic fountain from the show's opening scene (weather permitting), featuring traditional holiday dishes with vegetarian and gluten-free options.  Following the meal is a self-guided tour of Stage 48: Script to Screen, featuring Central Perk Café and the Friends Boutique.  Central Perk Café offers signature beverages inspired by each of the six characters.  The Friends Boutique offers recreated sets from the show, authentic costumes, and merchandise exclusive to the boutique.

Tickets for Friendsgiving are now available for purchase at wbstudiotour.com.  Event dates are November 8-10, 15-17, 21-24, 29-30, 2024.  Friendsgiving tours will depart at 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.

BUENA PARK, CA – Enjoy Halloween fun by day at Knott's Spooky Farm, the annual family-friendly Halloween celebration. Families can join in on the ghoulish fun as the park transforms with themed décor and wicked fun around every corner. Halloween-themed activities, including trick-or-treating, a lineup of original shows, costume contests and pumpkin decorating await. New this fall season, join Charlie Brown, Snoopy and their friends for Spooktivities, a host of games, music, spooky storytelling and more for ghouls of all ages. Knott's Spooky Farm will be taking place in the daytime, Thursdays through Sundays, September 26 through October 31, plus Columbus Day.

Kids can participate in a memorable trick-or-treating experience in the spooky streets of Ghost Town, where they will show off their festive Halloween costumes as they collect their tasty treats. Guests can also visit the Livery Stable to get close and personal with the Creepy Critters of Calico. Spiders, bugs, and more await at our Creepy Critters Corral. Whimsical jack-o-lanterns surround Calico Park as it changes into an enchanting Pumpkin Patch location for families to enjoy the season's atmosphere with photo ops. Guests can get in the spirit by decorating their very own themed cookie or pumpkin right in the heart of Ghost Town. Miniature pumpkins or Halloween cookies will be available for a nominal fee. Also in Calico Park, Snoopy and the Gang host Spooktivities. A full day of Halloween fun awaits all ages with games, music, spooky stories and more.

Join Snoopy and his friends at the Calico Mine Stage for a celebration that is not to be missed! Ghouls of all ages are encouraged to strut their stuff and show off their Halloween costumes as we celebrate the spookiest season at Snoopy’s Spooktacular Costume Party. Also, at the Calico Mine Stage, Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies are back for high-energy country music concert and comedy for all to enjoy!

The Bob Baker Marionette Theatre Show returns with their Halloween-themed show at Birdcage Theatre. These peculiar puppeteers will amaze all with a spooky puppet show that will have little ones and adults entertained all day.

The residents of The Timber Mountain Log Ride will celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a family-friendly seasonal twist to a park favorite. The ride's interior features surprise after surprise as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper Band, the town's Green Witch and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns.

Knott's Spooky Farm runs daytime Thursdays through Sundays, September 26 through October 31 plus Columbus Day, and is included with regular park admission. The best way to enjoy Knott’s Spooky Farm and all of Knott's Seasons of Fun for the remainder of 2024 plus all of 2025 is with a 2025 Season Pass. A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission to Knott's Berry Farm with no blockout dates, and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission to both Knott's Berry Farm and Knott's Soak City Waterpark with no blockout dates. Regular Season Passes are as low as $105 or 10 easy payments of $7 after initial payment. Hurry before these offers end on October 31, 2024. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.

For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott's Berry Farm, visit us online at knotts.com or download the Knott's Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the conversation by using #SpookyFarm on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

LOS ANGELES, CA, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 – Looking for something new and offbeat to do this Halloween season? You’re in luck: a new show is coming to Los Angeles for the Halloween season. MONSTER PARTY, an original, queer-centric production, will be popping up for a two-night engagement in early October.

MONSTER PARTY is an immersive play that explores the ideas of revenge, remorse, and how giving in to our most visceral desires can unleash the monsters within us. Set against the backdrop of McCarthyism and the Lavender Scare, the show transports audience members to a lively Halloween cocktail soirée, hosted by an enigmatic woman known as The Baroness. Also in attendance are several peculiar party guests who have no idea who they are, or how they arrived at this particular gathering.

The more audience members engage with these party guests – and the charming yet mysterious Baroness – the more unhinged things become. As the absurd replaces the logical, a twisted narrative unfolds around audience members, taking them on a journey to Hell and back.

The show comes from Matt Dorado, a former Disney producer who also created the immersive nightlife series, Drunken Devil. More scaled down than his previous events – which ranged from themed warehouse parties to theatrical dining experiences, typically with an emphasis on atmosphere and spectacle — MONSTER PARTY puts the characters and narrative front-and-center. This is a return to roots for Dorado, whose background is in traditional theater production.

One should not, however, expect a conventional storytelling experience. “This show is Fellow Travelers if Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey were trapped in a k-hole during a Halloween party,” says Dorado. “There’s a surreal, fever dream-like tone to it — it’s as much an experiment in wacky, nonlinear storytelling as it is a deranged character study.”

“Audiences should expect to laugh, probably wince, maybe even squeal with disgust or delight – hopefully both.”

Due to the nature and format of the show, MONSTER PARTY has a limited capacity per night. Tickets are $85 and include the show, plus two complimentary beverages (cocktails, mocktails, wine, or beer). The show will take place at Wonzimer Gallery: 341-B S. Avenue 17, Los Angeles CA 90031. Doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins at 8:00pm. Guests must be 21+ to attend.

Tickets are available now at www.monsterpartyshow.com.

Universal City, Calif. and Orlando, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2024) – This October, Universal Destinations & Experiences theme parks—Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort—invite guests to defy gravity with a variety of all-new immersive experiences and exclusive merchandise inspired by Wicked, Universal Pictures’ highly-anticipated film, in theaters November 22.
 
The engaging Wicked experiences will differ at each of the destinations but are both designed to capture the imagination and spirit of the breathtaking world of Wicked, allowing guests to express their fandom through fashion and accessories, while stepping into the story for the first time ever.
 
Starting in late October, Universal Orlando Resort will welcome guests to Wicked: The Experience – housed in the former location of the UNIVRS store and adjacent retail locations steps away from the front gate – where they will have the unique opportunity to step into the fantastical Land of Oz. This exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience will whisk guests along the yellow brick road and into a variety of iconic Wicked locations from Shiz University to the Emerald City. Fanciful costumes and props created by the designers from the film will also be on display as guests become immersed in spectacular scenic and theming that will recreate some of the most memorable moments of the film.
 
Also beginning in late October, Universal Studios Hollywood will transform its popular Feature Presentation store within the theme park, and UNIVRS store at Universal CityWalk Hollywood into memorable Wicked experiences. Feature Presentation will showcase props from the film, an exciting photo op will debut within the theme park and, later in tandem with the film opening, costumes will be displayed within the Universal Cinema, an AMC Theatre, at Universal CityWalk.

Fantabulous-themed dining will complement these exciting Wicked experiences at both theme park locations, as well as Voodoo Doughnuts and The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at both Universal CityWalk locations will share the joy with the debut of a limited time treats inspired by the world of Wicked.
 
At the core of these experiences will be redefining new retail opportunities and exclusive products, inviting guests to rejoicify as they peek behind the Emerald City gates. An exciting variety of merchandise including elevated apparel, home goods, accessories, toys and more along with exclusive products will be available at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood and at both Universal Citywalk locations including:

The Shiz University collection is inspired by the iconic school where Glinda and Elphaba first cross paths featuring back-to-school must-haves featuring a Spirit Jersey, duffle bag, tumbler, hat, journal and more.

The legendary Studio MinaLima developed exclusive, Wicked-inspired graphics and prints for a cross-category collection including an intricate all-over-print on apparel, accessories, home goods and confections, as well as stationery.

The Wicked logo will don many items from hats and totes to notebooks and mugs, perfect for fans to show their Wicked pride as they dance through life. Those looking for even more products can find a variety of offerings, including beautiful fashion dolls from Mattel, Funko Pops! of fan-favorite characters, LEGO sets featuring the Land of Oz, Loungefly bags as well as cosplay and prop replicas from The Noble Collection.
 
Even more Wicked celebrations are coming to Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Japan later this year and early next.
 
For more information about the Wicked experiences coming to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, stay tuned to Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood social channels. Follow #WickedMovie on social and get ready as Wicked flies into theaters on November 22.

Universal City, California, September 3, 2024 – Universal CityWalk rolls out a virtual pastel pink carpet to welcome the Hello Kitty® and Friends Cafe, serving a scrumptious selection of sweet treats and specialty beverages, and the Sanrio® Smile Shop, offering a variety of collectible merchandise featuring Hello Kitty®, Cinnamoroll™, Keroppi™, Kuromi™, My Melody™, Badtz-maru™ and Chococat™. Both venues open at Universal CityWalk on Friday, September 6, 2024.
 
The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and the Sanrio Smile Shop are located adjacent to one another at the heart of Universal CityWalk and complement the Animation Studio Store located within Universal Studios Hollywood which features a wide selection of Hello Kitty merchandise including exclusive items only found at Universal Studios Hollywood.
 
The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, adorned with a giant signature Hello Kitty bow and framed by a pastel pink and white awning, will welcome guests to enjoy a unique, grab-and-go menu with the option to dine at any one of umbrella-covered tables located just outside the walk-up venue. The Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe is the first of its kind to open in Los Angeles.
 
The all-new Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe will offer a Sanrio-themed menu that presents an array of whimsical creations that include:
 
Desserts

• Hello Kitty® Mousse Dome – A red chocolate dome-shaped caked with cinnamon mousse, apple pie filling and cinnamon streusel
• Seasonal Mousse Domes – Seasonal dome cakes inspired by Hello Kitty’s friends crafted uniquely based on their personalities and composed of chocolate mousse and a delicious combination of fruit fillings and sponge cake
• Strawberry Cake – Vanilla sponge cake, strawberry jam and whipped white chocolate ganache
• Berry & Cream Churro – Berry stuffed churro with cream cheese frosting
• Birthday Cake – Confetti cake layered with white chocolate mousse topped with whipped white chocolate ganache
• Macaron Set – A set of raspberry, caramel, vanilla, pistachio and chocolate macarons
• Hello Kitty Cookie – A Hello Kitty-shaped sugar cookie topped with royal icing and rainbow sprinkles

 
Beverages

• Hello Kitty® Strawberry Green Iced Tea – Strawberry green tea, pink sugar rim with strawberries and mint
• My Melody™ Lemonade – Strawberry lemonade, yellow sugar rim, garnished with strawberries and a lemon wheel
• Kuromi™ Berry Iced Tea – Blackberry tea, purple sugar rim and served with blackberry and mint
• Tuxedosam™ Lemonade – Blue raspberry lemonade, pink sugar rim served and a lemon wheel
• Keroppi™ Matcha Latte – Frozen matcha latte topped with whipped cream and matcha powder
• Chococat™ Frozen Mocha – Frozen coffee, chocolate boba, whipped cream topped with chocolate sprinkles

 
The new Sanrio Smile Shop, located next to the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe, celebrates all things Sanrio and Hello Kitty. Guests are invited to embrace the cheerful spirit of Hello Kitty and her closest friends, Cinnamoroll, Keroppi, Kuromi, My Melody, Badtz-maru and Chococat, with a wide selection of themed collectibles perfect for enthusiasts and novice fans alike.  Iconic statement pieces in vibrant colors with iconic motifs will include such favorites as backpacks with Hello Kitty’s iconic bow, stylish Spirit Jersey®), embellished hats, specialty cups and mugs, collectible pins, t-shirts, plush toys, keychains, jewelry, phone cases, lanyards and much more.
 
Within the Sanrio Smile Shop, shoppers can also celebrate the charm of the Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe with an exclusive new line of curated merchandise that pays homage to the Cafe by offering guests the opportunity to bring home a piece of its super cute atmosphere. The all-new Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe-themed merchandise is only available at the Sanrio Smile Shop with additional products being added throughout the rest of the year.
The shop also features a dynamic in-store photo op spotlighting Hello Kitty and the Sanrio characters, a perfect shareable moment for fans to enjoy.
 
Hello Kitty continues to bring her message of friendship and kindness to Universal Studios Hollywood theme park where she meets with guests in a dedicated area adjacent to the Animation Studio Store which offers exclusive merchandise that celebrates her status as a global pop icon.  This year, in honor of her 50th anniversary, Hello Kitty also debuted a soft pastel pink flowy dress, embodying the perfect blend of timeless charm and elegance to commemorate her milestone moment as she poses alongside guests for memorable photo ops.
 
More information about Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios Hollywood is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com; like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter)
 
To learn more about Sanrio, please visit www.sanrio.com and follow @sanrio and @hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest and subscribe to the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube Channel.