Summary
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 from March 10 through May 7, 2023! After April 16, you can enjoy the festival offerings for three more weekends (April 21-23, April 28-30 and May 5-7 only).
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.
2023 Boysenberry Festival Dates
The Boysenberry Festival is back in 2023! This annual food and wine festival takes place daily from March 10 through April 16, 2023, and then weekends through May 7, 2023. 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. You can save $25 through Undercover Tourist on weekday tickets Monday through Thursday, compared to front gate tickets. You can save $17 on Friday through Sunday tickets. Food and beverage are extra costs, so you can apply your savings to your food budget. 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 over two dozen new items to try! You can find tasting card items as well as special menu items for purchase at restaurants in and outside the park. Here is the event guide with menus. We had the hopportunity to taste some dishes in advance, so some of our photos reflect a smaller, tasting portion (may be plated differently from how the food may be presented in the park). But all the treats still taste berry good however they are presented! Others were taken at the actual Boysenberry Festival.
This year, the tasting card returns. For $55, you get up to six tastings from nine 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 booths and their menus (these items are not on the dining plans). Some items have vegan substitutions — 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. You can purchase items individually or use the tasting card. 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 minutes to an hour before the park closes. Without further ado, here are the all-new booth items this year:
Wilderness Broiler Booth
- Veggie Sliders with a Boysenberry Mayo and Arugula
- Boysenberry Sausage on a Hoagie with Boysenberry Mustard
- Cajun Shrimp Po’ Boy with Coleslaw and a Boysenberry Remoulade
- Boysenberry Mango Lemonade with Mint
Wagon Wheel Pizza Booth
- Boysenberry Smoothie
- Boysenberry BBQ Meatball Pizza
- Caprese Garlic Bread with a Boysenberry Balsamic Glaze
Spurs Chophouse
- Veggie Chili with a Boysenberry Crostini
- Boysenberry BBQ Beef Tips over Parmesan Grits with Green Onions
- Chicken Wings with a Boysenberry Sweet Chili Glaze
- Boysenberry Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich
- Boysenberry Mango Lemonade with Mint
- Boysenberry Frosé
- Boysenberry Mud Slide over Ice
- Boysenberry Hefeweizen Boysenberry Blonde
Chow House Booth
- Elote with a Boysenberry Butter, Boysenberry Mayo and Cotija Cheese
- Buffalo Chicken over Mac and Cheese with a Boysenberry Ranch Drizzle
Silver Bullet Booth
- Beef Barbacoa over Mac and Cheese with a Boysenberry Chipotle Crema
- Salmon, Cucumber and Orzo Salad with Boysenberry Dressing
- Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots (a Knott's Berry Farm exclusive)
- Boysenberry Lager Beer
- Boysenberry Lemonade Seltzer
- Boysenberry Wine
- Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
- Boysenberry Margarita garnished with a Salt Rim and Lime
Wilderness Dance Hall Patio Booth
- Boysenberry Bread Pudding
- Charcuterie Board with a Boysenberry Crostini and Boysenberry Mustard
- Chicken Wings with a Boysenberry Sweet Chili Glaze
- Loaded Potato Bowl with Boysenberry Cheese Sauce, Bacon and Chives
- Cauliflower Bites with a Boysenberry Curry Drizzle
- Salmon, Cucumber and Orzo Salad with Boysenberry Dressing
- Sushi Burrito with Spicy Crab Surimi, Avocado, Lettuce, Crispy Onions, Sesame and Unagi Sauce and Boysenberry Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce
- Boysenberry Frosé
- Boysenberry Mud Slide over Ice
- Boysenberry Margarita garnished with a Salt Rim and Lime
Ghost Town Bakery
- Cucumber Lemonade with Raspberries and Boysenberries
- Boysenberry Blondie
- Boysenberry Panna Cotta with a Shortbread Cookie
- Boysenberry Swirl Big Fat Cookie
- Boysenberry Waffle with Whipped Cream and Boysenberry Maple Syrup
- Sushi Burrito with Spicy Crab Surimi, Avocado, Lettuce, Crispy Onions, Sesame and Unagi Sauce and Boysenberry Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce
Gold Mine Trail Booth
- Boysenberry Panna Cotta with a Shortbread Cookie
- Vegan Tofu, Wild Rice and Kale Bowl with an Apricot and Boysenberry Glaze
- Jambalaya with Boysenberry Sausage, Chicken and Shrimp garnished with Green Onions
- Buffalo Chicken over Mac and Cheese with a Boysenberry Ranch Drizzle
- Boysenberry Hazy IPA Beer
- Boysenberry Wine
- Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
- Boysenberry Lemonade Seltzer
- Boysenberry Cider
- Boysenberry Margarita garnished with a Salt Rim and Lime
- Boysenberry Mud Slide over Ice
Calico Railroad Booth
- Boysenberry Lemonade Seltzer
- Boysenberry Wine
- Boysenberry Sangria with an Orange Slice
- Boysenberry Margarita garnished with a Salt Rim and Lime
- Boysenberry Hazy IPA Beer
- Elote
Ghost Town Grub
- Sweet Corn Nuggets with a Boysenberry Honey Drizzle
- Boysenberry Waffle with Whipped Cream and Boysenberry Maple Syrup
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. Some of these items are on the dining plans and all can be purchased individually. Here is a look at the 2023 offerings:
Chow House Mix-It-Up
- Boysenberry Jam Cookiewich with Boysenberry Soft Serve
- Boysenberry Lemonade
- Boysenberry Float with Boysenberry Soft Serve
Log Ride Funnel
- FUN Bun — Deep Fried Cinnamon Bun with a Boysenberry Glaze
- Boysenberry Donut Funnel Cake
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 Macaroon
- Boysenberry Decorated Cookie
- Boysenberry Bundt Cake
- Boysenberry Key Lime Tart
- Boysenberry Latte
- Boysenberry White Russian (alcoholic)
Prop Shop Pizzeria
- Boysenberry Ranch Pickle Pizza with Bacon
- Boysenberry Margherita Pizza with a Balsamic Drizzle (we loved this)
- Deep Fried Ravioli with a Boysenberry Marinara
- Philly Cheesesteak Stromboli with Boysenberry Cheese Sauce
- Boysenberry Cannoli
- Boysenberry Pie Tart
- Boysenberry Bundt Cake
Gourmet Churro Factory
- Beignets with a Boysenberry Sugar
Calico Saloon
- Boysenberry Mule
- Boysenberry Mojito
- Boysenberry Mimosa
Boardwalk BBQ
- Purple Goddess Salad with Boysenberry Dressing
- Boysenberry Sausage and Pepper Medley
- Chicken Wings in a Boysenberry BBQ Sauce
- Boysenberry Key Lime Tart
- Boysenberry Cheesecake
- Boysenberry Bundt Cake
Coasters Diner
- Smoke House Burger with Onion Rings and a Boysenberry BBQ Sauce
- Chicken Caesar Salad with Caesar and Boysenberry Dressing
- Boysenberry Donut Shake
Sutter's Grill
- Philly Cheesesteak with Onions, Peppers and Boysenberry Cheese Sauce
- Chicken, Kale Cranberry Salad with Boysenberry Thai Basil Dressing
Calico Tater Bites
- Breakfast Tots with Boysenberry Hollandaise, Egg, Bacon, Cheese and Green Onions
Sutter's Funnel
- FUN Bun — Deep Fried Cinnamon Bun with a Boysenberry Glaze
- Boysenberry and Peach Cobbler Funnel Cake
Sutter's Pizza
- Boysenberry Ranch Pickle Pizza with Bacon
Strictly on a Stick
- Boysenberry Corn Dog with Boysenberry Mustard
- Boysenberry Cream Cheese Rosti with Boysenberry and Cranberry Relish
Grizzly Creek Lodge
- Pancake Cheeseburger with Sausage and Egg Patties and a Boysenberry Maple Syrup
- Boysenberry Decorated Cookie
- Boysenberry Macaroon
Mrs. Knott's Pie Kitchen
- Boysenberry-Shaped Cookie Decorating Kit
Foods Outside the Park
Look for special items outside of the park at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant and Cable Car Kitchen. Cable Car Kitchen has a Boysenberry Donut Funnel Cake and a Boysenberry and Peach Cobbler Funnel Cake.
Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant has a Boysenberry Champagne Brunch ($72 for adults, $62 for seniors and $35 for kids). It's on Saturdays and Sundays (except April 8 and 9).
During other dining times, a Boysenberry Festival Menu is available. The items include:
- Boysenberry BBQ Pulled Pork Bao Buns - $15.50
- Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Double Stuffed Baked Potato with a fried chicken leg, boysenberry mashed potatoes, country gravy and corn - $26.50
- CDR Double Stuffed Chicken Tender Baked Potato with boysenberry breaded chicken tenders, corn, country gravy and shredded cheese - $26.50
The following sandwiches come with biscuits, salad, soup, a side and a slice of pie:
- French Toast Burger - $30.50
- French Toast Monte Cristo - $30.50
- French Fry Waffle Cheeseburger (the waffle "bun" is made with fries and cheese!) with a Boysenberry Mayo - $30.50
- French Fry Waffle Chicken Burger - $30.50
Farm Bakery
- Boysenberry Bar Cake
- Boysenberry Concha
- Boysenberry Coffee Cake
- Boysenberry Decorated Cookie
- Boysenberry Macaroon
- Boysenberry Key Lime Tart
- Boysenberry Pie
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 35 local artists. You can find some 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!
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!
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 in Camp Snoopy. They told us the Easter Beagle will appear April 7–9, 2023, so we are super frogcited! 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 crazy 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.
- (New!) Knott's Preserved: A Centennial Musical Celebration — 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.
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 your discount Knott's Berry Farm tickets from Undercover Tourist. Our tickets have the taxes and fees shown upfront (with no additional processing fees) so you'll save compared to buying online through Knott's (as they add a processing fee). The tickets are good for the length of the Boysenberry Festival. You can save even more when you visit with a Monday – Thursday ticket. You can use your savings per ticket to try more yummy treats!
Related: The Full Lineup of Beary-Good Knott's Berry Farm Events
Hoppy planning!
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