Springtime is one of the most beautiful times to visit Knott's Berry Farm. Flowers are in bloom, bunnies are out and about — look for bunnies, lambs and giant Easter eggs in Camp Snoopy — and delicious dishes are aplenty. Every year, foodies and Knott's Berry Farm fans flock to the Boysenberry Festival for savory and sweet foods and treats that are flavored by this versatile berry. This year's event takes place on select dates from March 8 through May 12, 2024! We frogs got a preview of the 2024 Boysenberry Festival food and beverage. So, we already have a few must-taste items for you.
Overview of Knott's Boysenberry Festival
Why a whole festival to celebrate a little berry? Besides being delicious, the boysenberry put Knott's Berry Farm on the map. Walter Knott was the first person to commercially cultivate the boysenberry, selling the berries at his farm stand in 1932. People kept returning to the stand for the tasty berries. He named them boysenberries, after their originator, Charles Rudolph Boysen. Boysen successfully bred a cross between a blackberry, a raspberry and a loganberry. The result is a large, juicy and delicious berry.
Today, Knott's Berry Farm is a hoppening Western-themed theme park that is rich in history. The Boysenberry Festival connects the park we know today with its farm stand beginnings. The incredible flavor of boysenberry can be used in a variety of dishes. Each year, the Knott’s Culinary Team creates new dishes that incorporate the berry in new and delicious ways. The result? A unique assortment of food, desserts and boysenberry-infused beverages. Oh, but that is not all! Beyond food, the Boysenberry Festival is a bushel of fun with musical entertainment, a craft fair, games, craft beer tasting, wine tasting and more.
Before you visit with tadpoles 15 and under, be sure to visit the Knott's Code of Conduct page for the updated chaperone policy.
2024 Boysenberry Festival Dates
The Boysenberry Festival is back in 2024! This annual food and wine festival takes place on select dates from March 8 through May 12, 2024. The event offers fresh fun from open to close. You can enjoy live entertainment, live music around the park, local crafts and activities the whole family can enjoy. And FOOD — don't froget about all the yummy boysenberry-inspired dishes and treats. You can learn more about the history of the boysenberry at Town Hall during the festival.
You'll need theme park admission to enter the park and enjoy entertainment. Food and beverages are extra costs, and you can also purchase an optional tasting card to try foods from the festival booths.
Boysenberry Festival Food and Beverage
The Boysenberry Festival is one of our favorite Knott's Berry Farm events because of all the yummy things to eat and drink. This year, there are so many new items to try! You can find tasting card items as well as a la carte menu items for purchase at restaurants in and outside the park. Here is the event guide with menus (as well as allergen guides). We had the hopportunity to taste some dishes in advance, so some of our photos reflect items that are plated differently from how the food may be presented in the park. But all the treats still taste berry good however they are presented! Other photos are taken at the actual Boysenberry Festival.
This year, the tasting card returns. For $55, you get up to six tastings from 12 themed food booths. Along with food, you can also use the tasting card to get boysenberry beer, wine, sangria, seltzer, mudslides or hard cider, as well as nonalcoholic beverages. You can also pay for items individually.
Here's a look at the 2024 booths and their menus. (Tasting Card items are not on the dining plans, but some a la carte items are on the dining plan). Some items have vegan substitutions available — plus signage at the stand usually mentions any available substitutions). Some of the booths are actual booths, and some are restaurants that are acting as booths. To view all the Boysenberry Festival offerings and see the food locations on a map, you can scan the QR code on the back of the tasting card.
The booths are open from 10 a.m. until about 30 to 60 minutes before the park closes.
Without further ado, here are the all-new Tasting Card booth items this year (some booths are restaurants and some are actual booths):
Wilderness Dogs and Drinks
- Boysenberry Sausage on a hoagie with a boysenberry sauerkraut slaw
- Plant-based Frank with boysenberry mustard on a vegan or gluten-free bun
- Beef and Chorizo Boysenberry Chili Poutine with cheese curds
- Boysenberry and Chocolate Stuffed Cookie
- Boysenberry Lemonade with mint
Prop Shop Pizzeria
- Boysenberry Sausage and Hot Honey Pizza with ricotta and basil
- Caprese Stuffed Portobello with a boysenberry balsamic drizzle
- Boysenberry Layered No-Bake Cheesecake Cup
- Boysenberry Slap Tropical IPA
- Boysenberry Rimmed Espresso Martini with lavender sprinkles
Gold Mine Trail Booth
- Boysenberry Layered No-Bake Cheesecake Cup
- Chicken Tikka Masala with Boysenberry Curry Sauce over Steamed White Rice
- Boysenberry BBQ Beef Barbacoa on Mac & Cheese with Green Onions (a frog family favorite!)
- Boysenberry Pulled Pork over Pastel de Elote (a frog family favorite!)
- Peach and Cheese Burrata Caprese Salad with a Boysenberry Dressing (a frog family meatless favorite!)
- Cucumber and Boysenberry Lemonade
- Boysenberry West Coast IPA
- Boysenberry Blonde
- Boysenberry Wine
- Boysenberry Watermelon Seltzer
- Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
- Boysenberry Shortbread Cookie Ale
- Boysenberry Kombucha
- Boysenberry Juice, Mint, and Cucumber Gin Spritzer
- Boysenberry Rimmed Espresso Martini with Lavender Sprinkle
Chow House Booth
- Seasonal Elote or Equite with a Boysenberry Butter, Boysenberry Mayo and Cotija Cheese
- Boysenberry Pulled Pork over Pastel de Elote (this was a frog family favorite at the tasting!)
Chow House
- Boysenberry Lemonade with Mint
- Boysenberry Gourmet Cookie A la Mode
- Boysenberry ICEE Float with Boysenberry Soft Serve
Silver Bullet Booth
- Roasted Vegetable Lettuce Wrap with a Boysenberry Tahini Sauce (plant-based)
- Beef and Chorizo Boysenberry Chili over Boysenberry Mashers
- Boysenberry BBQ Beef Barbacoa on Mac & Cheese with Green Onions (Yummy!)
- Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots
- Boysenberry Hef
- Boysenberry Wine
- Boysenberry Watermelon Seltzer
- Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
- Boysenberry Punch and Pineapple Juice Rum Runner
Wilderness Dance Hall
- Cucumber and Boysenberry Lemonade
- Charcuterie Board - Goat Cheese, Salami, Pepperoni, Crackers, Boysenberry Apricot Jam, and Boysenberry Mustard
- Boysenberry BBQ Chicken Wings
- Boysenberry Cobbler
- Blackened Shrimp Stir Fry with Lemon Rice and a Boysenberry Teriyaki Sauce
- Boysenberry and Parmesan Polenta with Roasted Veggies and a Balsamic Drizzle
- Boysenberry Juice, Mint, and Cucumber Gin Spritzer
- Boysenberry Punch and Pineapple Juice Rum Runner
- Boysenberry Rimmed Espresso Martini with Lavender Sprinkles
- Boysenberry West Coast IPA
- Plus, other Beverages
Wilderness Dance Hall Patio Booth
- Pork Loin Slices over Mashed Potatoes with a Creamy Boysenberry Mustard Sauce
- Boysenberry BBQ Beef Barbacoa on Mac & Cheese with Green Onions (Yum!)
- Boysenberry West Coast IPA
- Boysenberry Blonde
- Boysenberry Wine
- Boysenberry Seltzer
- Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
Ghost Town Bakery
- Cucumber and Boysenberry Lemonade
- Boysenberry Bundt Cake
- Lemon Bar with a Boysenberry Compote (A great sweet treat and frog family favorite!)
- Lemon and Boysenberry Gourmet Cookie
- Vegan Boysenberry Chia Parfait (We really liked this vegan choice.)
- Boysenberry and Chocolate Stuffed Cookie
- Warm Spam Musubi with a Boysenberry Soy Sauce
Calico Railroad Booth
- Boysenberry Juice, Mint and Cucumber Gin Spritzer
- Boysenberry Punch and Pineapple Juice Rum Runner
- Boysenberry Seltzer
- Boysenberry Wine
- Boysenberry Imperial Cider
- Boysenberry Shortbread Cookie Ale
- Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
- Boysenberry Slap Tropical IPA
- Boysenberry Lager
- Boysenberry Hef
- Boysenberry Blonde
Ghost Town Grub
- Mini Funnel Cake with Boysenberry Ice Cream and Powdered Sugar
- Brownie Bites and Boysenberry Parfait
Miner’s Mac and Spuds
- Berry Mango Smoothie
- Brownie Bites and Boysenberry Parfait
- Double Stuffed Baked Potato with Boysenberry BBQ Pulled Pork and Green Onions
- Potato and Corn Chowder with Boysenberry Crostini and Boysenberry Drizzle
You have six tastes — how will you choose? We frogs tend to share each other's food so we can taste more things without filling up on just a few. The portions are hearty. But hold on ... this is not even a complete list of all the Knott's Boysenberry Festival offerings!
Pricing
Most tasting items are from $7.50 (for small desserts) to $14 for bigger entrees. The average price for a dish is about $10. Drinks with alcohol are more like $12 to $18. Prices are listed on signs at each booth.
Is the tasting card worth it? It's frogerrific! We share one card to get all our food items! The portions are generous, but a lot of the items are drinks with alcohol. If you are just interested in food, then you might want to look over the menu above to determine if you want six of the food items on the card. There are other tasty boysenberry-themed bites at restaurants. Those are not on the card (but many are on the dining plan). We list the restaurant items below. If you want a mix of food booth and restaurant items, you may save money by purchasing items individually. If there are adult frogs in your group who plan to enjoy adult drinks as well as eat, the card is a better deal for your party.
Festival Items at Restaurants
You can purchase Boysenberry Festival foods, snacks and beverages at restaurants in the park. These items are NOT on the Tasting Card, but some are on the Dining Plan (marked with DP).
Here is a look at the 2024 offerings:
Chow House Mix-It-Up
- Boysenberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookiewich
Log Ride Funnel
- FUN Bun — Deep Fried Cinnamon Bun with a Boysenberry Glaze
- Fully Loaded Banana Pudding Funnel Cake with a Boysenberry Drizzle
Ghost Town Bakery
- Boysenberry Key Lime Tart (yum!)
- Boysenberry Pie Tart
- Boysenberry Macaroon
- Boysenberry Cheese Danish
- Boysenberry Decorated Cookie
- Boysenberry Cinnamon roll
Charleston Circle Coffee
- Boysenberry Decorated Cookie
- Boysenberry Coffee Cake
- Boysenberry Key Lime Tart
- Boysenberry Latte
- Boysenberry Lemon Drop Martini (alcoholic)
Prop Shop Pizzeria
- Boysenberry Cannoli
- Boysenberry Pie Tart
- Boysenberry Oreo Mousse Cake
Prop Shop Pizzeria Bar
- Boysenberry Mule
- Boysenberry Prosecco
Gourmet Churro Factory
- Beignets with Raspberry and a Boysenberry Sugar
Calico Saloon
- Boysenberry Margarita
- Boysenberry Mojito
- Boysenberry Lemon Drop Martini
- Boysenberry Hurricane
Boardwalk BBQ
- One Pot Beef Stroganoff with Cavatappi Noodles and Boysenberry Bolognese - DP
- Chicken Tenders in a Boysenberry BBQ Sauce - DP
- Potato Wedges with a Boysenberry Cheese Sauce, Bacon Bites, and Green Onions
- Boysenberry Key Lime Tart
- Boysenberry Cheesecake
Coasters Diner
- Boysenberry Shake with an Oreo Churro
- French Toast Burger with Boysenberry Syrup - DP
- Blackened Salmon Bowl with a Boysenberry Sour Cream - DP
Sutter's Grill
- Elk Burger with a Boysenberry BBQ Sauce and Fried Onions - DP
- Chicken Greek Salad with a Boysenberry Thai Basil Dressing - DP
Calico Tater Bites
- Deep Fried Shrimp over Tots with a Boysenberry Coleslaw and a Cilantro Crema - DP
Sutter's Funnel
- FUN Bun — Deep Fried Cinnamon Bun with a Boysenberry Glaze
- Double Stack Birthday Funnel Cake
Sutter's Pizza
- Pickle and Potato Pizza with Boysenberry Garlic Alfredo - DP
Strictly on a Stick
- Boysenberry Corn Dog with Boysenberry Mustard - DP
Grizzly Creek Lodge
- Breakfast Benedict Burger with Boysenberry Hollandaise on an English Muffin - DP
- Boysenberry Decorated Cookie
- Boysenberry Pie Bar Tart
Mrs. Knott's Pie Kitchen
- Boysenberry-Shaped Cookie Decorating Kit
Casa California Restaurante
- Boysenberry Chicken Tinga Nachos with Boysenberry Salsa and Sour Cream - DP
- Boysenberry Concha
Papas Mexicanas
- Boysenberry Chicken Mole Fries - DP
Baja Taqueria
- Chicken Taquitos with a Boysenberry Crem
Foods Outside the Park
Look for special items outside of the park at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant and Cable Car Kitchen, as well as boysenberry-inspired food and beverages at the new Thirty Acres Kitchen at the refurbished Knott's Hotel.
Cable Car Kitchen
- Boysenberry, Strawberry, and Nutella Funnel Cake Sandwich
- Double Stack Boysenberry Icing Birthday Funnel Cake
- Banana Pudding Funnel Cake with a Boysenberry Drizzle
Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant
- Boysenberry Champagne Brunch ($72 for adults, $62 for seniors and $35 for kids) on select Saturdays and Sundays.
- Boysenberry Festival Menu
Farm Bakery
- Boysenberry Bar Cake
- Boysenberry Key Lime Tart
- Boysenberry Pie Tart
- Boysenberry Macaroon
- Boysenberry Cheese Danish
- Boysenberry Decorated Cookie
- Boysenberry and Lemon Gourmet Cookie
- Double Chocolate Stuffed with Boysenberry Gourmet Cookie
- Boysenberry Cinnamon Roll
Shopping at Knott's Boysenberry Festival
In addition to tasty bites, you can do some shopping at the festival. Knott’s retail shops are open, along with 30 local artisan craft booths, selling their own boysenberry-themed items. You can also see some of the Knott's Calico Ghost Town residents creating their wares.
You can purchase original art that celebrates Knott's Berry Farm history, created by local artists. Find them at the "Tied Up in Knott's" exhibit at The Factory Store. We had the hopportunity to meet one of the artists when we visited last year!
Love the boysenberry fruit? You can grow your own at home! Boysenberry plants are available for purchase at Knott's during the festival. Plants are $29.99, plus tax. You'll find the plants at Gold Mine Trail. This hidden area has drinks, food, a game, meet and greets with Whittles and extra tables. You can find it just past the GhostRider attraction exit. We discovered lots of cool facts about the boysenberry during our visit! They ripen in January, and if properly cared for, each plant can produce about 50 berries.
You can also pick up Boysenberry Festival souvenirs at select stores and booths! Hoodies, bags, spirit jerseys, hats, blankets, plushes, slippers ... you name it!
Characters and Games
Characters are out to greet guests at the event — get on in and hug your beloved PEANUTS characters. We caught sight of the Snoopy and Pig Pen. Characters are temporarily located around the park. Use the Knott's Berry Farm app to find them. The Easter Beagle appears around Easter. You can also find the adorable Whittles at Gold Mine Trail. From the look of his beard, he has been thoroughly enjoying all of the boysenberry treats! Meet Boysen Bear or Crafty Coyote near Charleston Circle.
Head to the Calico Mine Stage for wacky and messy games, including a boysenberry pie eating contest! You can see the schedule of activities near the stage.
Only six people can participate in the pie-eating contest at once. You can sign up about 15 minutes ahead of time. Both adults and kids can compete. You'll put your name in a hat and they'll call up the six contestants as they pull the names out. Also, Ghost Town is where you can find Mrs. Knott's Cookie Decorating (for an additional fee).
You can meet animals in Old MacDonald's Barn or learn about the history of the Boysenberry at Town Hall.
Boysenberry Festival Entertainment
Enjoy new and returning entertainment both day and night such as:
- Riverboat Revenge — Watch a special presentation of a comedy melodrama at the Bird Cage Theatre.
- Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies — Join them at the Wagon Camp stage for some knee-slappin' and "vine" dancing comedic country music.
- Knott's Preserved — Head to the Calico Mine Stage to celebrate California's original theme park with song, dance and storytelling. Take a musical journey from the ghost town of Calico to the roaring 20s of the Seaside Boardwalk.
- History of the Blackberry — Head to Ghost Town Hall to learn about the fruit that made all this possible.
- Old MacDonald’s Barn — Cozy up to the cutest critters on the farm including horses, goats, and other furry friends at Livery Stable.
- Boysenberry Fun and Games — Join the fun at Calico Mine Stage & Calico Park with some of the messiest games along with the famous Boysenberry Pie Eating Contest.
Take-Home Goodies
Take home packaged goodies to create some of your own boysenberry culinary delights at home. You can purchase take-home boysenberry packaged foods and sauces to create your own tasty dishes at home.
The booth is located in Ghost Town near the park entrance. They will package up your purchases and keep them until you are ready to leave!
What are you looking forward to tasting at Knott's Boysenberry Festival? Be sure to buy Knott's Berry Farm tickets from Undercover Tourist. Our tickets have the taxes and fees shown upfront (with no additional processing fees) and don't require a start date!
Related: The Full Lineup of Beary-Good Knott's Berry Farm Events
Hoppy planning!
