What's happening at Knott's Berry Farm this summer? The daytime Ghost Town Alive! and the Knott's Berry Farm Summer Nights parties are back as of June 12, 2026! We've heard that MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress could open for summer 2026! Don't froget, the water park — Knott's Soak City — is open to cool you off on hot summer days. Be sure to check out the updated chaperone policy on Knott's Code of Conduct page before you visit Knott's Berry Farm or Soak City.
Knott's Berry Farm is a hoppening SoCal destination. Tad and Leap are always hopping to "hang ten" on their favorite surf-themed dive coaster, HangTime. And Lily loves meeting new and old characters and seeing her favorite Peanuts characters on stage. Plus there are so many toddler-friendly rides at Camp Snoopy (and more to come!). (Hop over to our post on tips for Knott's Berry Farm with kids to learn more.) We all love digging into Knott's delicious food (including Knott’s boysenberry pie). You can try new seasonal dishes. I'll try to remind Leap to enjoy his food after he rides Silver Bullet. I love getting to take a trip down memory lane on the Calico Mine Train. Summer is looking to be berry fun!
Knott's Berry Farm Summer Dates
The summer entertainment with Ghost Town Alive and Summer Nights kicks off June 12 and runs through Aug. 30, 2026. Ghost Town Alive and Knott's Summer Nights entertainment run on select dates. By mid-August, things tend to wind down during the week. You'll experience the full entertainment only on weekends towards the end of the season.
Knott's Soak City is open for summer select dates May 16 through Sept. 7, 2026. Sometimes the closing date gets extended. During hot fall seasons, the closing date may be extended for weekends through late September.
What's Hoppening at Knott's Berry Farm in Summer 2026?
We frogs love hopping by for Ghost Town Alive. It's always so much fun to immerse yourself in the festivities and play with the citizens of Calico. Every year is a little different. We are so hoppy this event, celebrating Founder's Day, has been brought back to life. The whole family has fun interacting with the Calico townspeople and Western gangs. The tadpoles love jumping into friendly competitions, delivering packages and telegrams for the townspeople and even playing cards with the sheriff and deputy. Mommy Frog was sworn in as a member of the press and even made it into the second edition of the paper. There are four editions of the Calico Gazette printed each day, and you just might make history.
It turns out the the mayor is not who you think it is. And bad news! The mine ran dry so the town is broke. So there is all kinds of fun surrounding these story lines. Catch updates every hour when the school bell rings.
We got sworn in as citizens at Town Hall, participated in a hoedown and hit pay dirt when we struck gold at the assayer's office. There is so much old-time fun to be had at this affordable theme park that does not require park reservations.
The affordability of Knott's really sits nicely with a lot of folks. Its dining plans make eating in a theme park easier on the wallet. Plus, there are special summer menu items at restaurants around the park (some on the dining plan). All of this sets Knott's up to create a summer to remember.
Ghost Town Alive!
Ghost Town Alive! springs back to life in summer! Take your tadpoles on an Old West adventure with an all-new interactive storyline to explore and mysteries to unravel with the citizens of Calico. Unlock adventures, solve puzzles and influence the day’s events. Take on challenges as you immerse yourself into the Old West alongside bandits, cowboys, judges and craftspeople. Who’s down for a hoedown in Calico Park at 4:30 p.m.? Grab your dancing partner and swing them 'round.
Chat with or watch the citizens of Calico. They'll probably give you tasks to complete. Or they might share juicy gossip about the other town members. Be sure to hop pick up a "Calico Gazette" newspaper. Look for news updates to be posted throughout the day. And be sure to visit Sad-Eye Joe in jail. He's been in there so long. Answering your question is his only entertainment. (Psst ... Parents, hop by the Town Jail office when the tadpoles are on their way to meet Joe to write their names on a piece of paper. They'll be toadally surprised when he guesses their names.)
Keep an ear out for announcements when everyone is called together. Meet at Town Hall when the school bell rings.
At 10 a.m. Ghost Town comes to life. Show up for the ribbon cutting, then meet by the jail. Then starting about 11 a.m. you'll have to pick sides. Are you aligning yourself with the citizens of Calico or one of the town's two rival gangs the Mayfields or the Mad Bucks? There will be some friendly competitions for each team to earn points, and you are invited to play along. The games take place at Town Hall several times a day. Who will win? Find out at the Hoedown in Calico Park from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. each day. It's toadally cool to see kids and even adults get caught up in the mischief and gossip of Calico. You'll see gang members sneaking around with kids to stash some treasure and stay undercover.
Normally, many of the buildings in Ghost Town are closed and you can peek in the windows, but during Ghost Town Alive!, you can go inside them. You can interact with the citizens and help them solve puzzles or even play games. Learn to tie a bow or design a dress. You can spend as much or as little time as you want participating in Ghost Town Alive!
Be sure to meet Whittles in Ghost Town. Whittles was a Knott's character from the 1960s and '70s. He returned in 2021 and has been back ever since! We are not sure what this prospector was up to for about 40 years, but they say he has been lost in the hills looking for gold. But you can meet him in Ghost Town. Use the Knott's app to locate characters by time and location by clicking Shows & Events.
Before we take a look at the reasons to visit Knott's Berry Farm this summer, there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting this summer. You'll want to arrive 30 minutes before park opening for the shortest lines of the day. Hit GhostRider first. Then jump into the story in Ghost Town Alive! It goes on all day from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. when the Hoedown starts.
This year is the first year of a Founder's Day Parade. To participate, start as the Assayer's Office and weave through Ghost Town towards the stage. It takes you to the Hoedown! You can even help decorate the float.
Party at Knott's Berry Farm Summer Nights
Every summer night heats up for Knott’s Berry Farm Summer Nights party. The park lights up at dusk with live bands, DJs and party lights stretching from Calico Square to Charleston Circle. You can cut a rug most nights this summer through Aug. 30! Expect entertainment to be on weekends and holidays only in early and late summer.
You can rock out to a top 40s band at the Calico Mine Stage, or move to the music of the Boardwalk DJ around Charleston Circle Fountain. Catch smaller musical performances at Calico Town Square and in Fiesta Village. Sing along to favorite songs from bands including Suburban Legends, Hiatus, Suffragettes and others that rotate throughout the summer event. You can find the night's lineup on park signage and in the Knott's app. Be sure to look for Knott's resident partiers around the stage areas.
Enjoy Knott's Berry Farm Summer Nights Foods
Knott’s has tasty food, so we recommend getting an All Day Dining Plan, which gets you an entree and a side as early as every 90 minutes. You'll break even (or be saving already) with the second meal.
Here's the link to the summer menu. Some items are on the Dining Plan. Here's the link to the year-round Dining Plan menu. So many options!
In addition to new restaurant menu items, you can also enjoy Asian-inspired dishes from the Summer Nights Market, including:
- Chicken Potstickers
- Garlic Minced Beef with Noodles
- Cali Bowl
- Miso Tofu Ramen
- Beef Bulgogi Tacos
- Kimcheese Fried Rice
- Mango Bingsu
- BBQ Pork Banh Mi
- BBQ Pork Noodle Salad
- Soju Watermelon Cocktail
- Spike Vietnamese Coffee and more
Catch Entertainment and Musical Acts
There's a ton of fun entertainment. We are still awaiting all the entertainment in summer 2026.
Catch Musical Acts
You can find daily entertainment in the Knott's Berry Farm app. There are more options on the weekends. Here's the entertainment for summer 2026:
- Live Bands at the Calico Mine Stage – A rotation of top 40's bands play nightly. Hiatus, Tomasina, 80z All Stars, The Suffragettes and Mic Dangerously & The Royal We play on separate nights
- Calico Park Stage – See a variety of bands perform live, including Doo-Wah Riders or Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five — Calico Park
- Fiesta Plaza – Enjoy local bands and musical acts.
- Miss Cameo Kate's Western Burle-Q Revue – Miss Cameo Kate returns to the Calico Birdcage Saloon. She is joined by a traveling troupe of singers, dancers and musicians.
- Spirits and Shenanigans at the Calico Saloon — Belly up to the bar at the Calico Saloon for some western tunes, sharp humor and high-energy fun.
- Ghost Town Miners – Grab a plate of BBQ at Fireman's BBQ and listen to a selection of bluegrass and country music.
- Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies – Head to wagon camp to tap your toes to this comedic band.
- Summer Nights DJ – Charleston Circle
- Native American Dancer – On Fridays and Saturday evenings, don't miss the Native American Dancer presentation.
- Hoedown – Don't miss the Calico Park Hoedown every day from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. You can dance with your partner, other park guests and the citizens of Calico!
4th of July Fireworks
Celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks on July 4, 2026. Guests may enjoy a dazzling display of fireworks to celebrate Independence Day at 9:30 p.m. The park has 4th of July activities for everyone to enjoy. It's sponsored by M&M's. Check the show times in the Knott's Berry Farm app for fireworks and other entertainment. Nearby rides may close early.
See What's New in Camp Snoopy
If you have not visited Knott's in a while, Camp Snoopy got a makeover in 2024. There are four new or revitalized attractions in Camp Snoopy.
Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster
Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster takes riders on an off-road adventure with Beagle Scout Snoopy behind the wheel. The launch coaster goes twice around the twin helix track. This ride is similar to Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster at the Peppa Pig Theme Park in Florida
Sally’s Swing Along
The two-sided backyard swing set sweeps tadpoles 10 feet in the air as they sway back and forth on a bench seat. The ride features a playlist of songs Sally wants to sing to her "sweet baboo," Linus.
Camp Snoopy’s Off Road Rally
Let's go for a Jeep-like ride to the annual Camp Jamboree with funny checkpoints along the way with Woodstock sculptures. Each vehicle is themed to a different Peanuts character, such as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, Franklin, Sally, Pigpen and Peppermint Patty.
Beagle Express
The Grand Sierra Railroad was rethemed as the Beagle Express. It has a new electric locomotive leading the way. Scenes along the miniature train route have a Camp Jamboree theme. Look for Charlie Brown in a sack race (with a sack over his head) and Beagle Scouts earning a horticulture badge by working on the boysenberry vines.
Guests can still take photos with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Pigpen and Peppermint Patty.
Explore the Reimagined Fiesta Village
Fiesta Village was revitalized for summer 2023. It comes alive in celebration of culture. Inspired by the rich, Hispanic heritage in SoCal, Fiesta Village offers new experiences, entertainment, dining, shopping and thrills. Visit Fiesta Mercado, which is inspired by Olvera Street in Los Angeles, to discover merchants selling unique and authentic items, surrounded by colorful alebrijes and landscaping.
Bite into made-to-order burritos and tacos at the new full-service Casa California restaurant. Cool off with a cold cerveza or frozen margarita at the new adjacent Cantina Del Sur. Some new dishes coming to these eateries in Fiesta Village include Carne Asada Fries, Chicken Taco Salads, Birria Tacos, Burritos, Baja Poke Bowls and Birria Quesadillas. Traditional treats and desserts, such as Cafe de Olla Conchas and Gansito Cupcakes, are offered as well.
Take in more live entertainment at the transformed open-air Fiesta Stage. enjoy storytelling in the afternoon, mariachis, hybrid salsa music and puppet shows on the weekend.
Fiesta Village opened May 26, 2023, but the final piece, MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress, may open by summer 2026.
MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress (Summer 2026)
As mentioned, the beloved Montezooma's Revenge — the oldest coaster in the park — is being re-themed. It has a new backstory about treasure hunters who have searched for the legendary Montezuma's gold. They have dredged Mexican rivers and plunged into the Pacific in search of riches. But a handful of the clever scavengers have found themselves in the true resting place of the infamous gold — just outside a small village in California, Fiesta Village. Will new adventurers succeed in extracting the gold and breaking the curse that has fallen upon many who have tried and failed? The way forward might not always be as expected. A new twist on this classic coaster experience may alter your ability to escape with the treasure once and for all!
The coaster will have a new randomized launch sequence. Will you shoot forward or backward? You'll only know once it's hoppening!
Stay Cool at Knott’s Soak City
Can we even discuss Knott’s Berry Farm summer without talking about the number one way to cool off on a hot day? Just across the parking lot from Knott’s Berry Farm sits Knott’s Soak City. You’ll need a separate day ticket to make a splash in this 15-acre water park. Soak City offers 23 speed, tube and body water slides. Shore Break features six different waterslide experiences, plus you can brave The Wedge raft ride. Catch a wave in the 750,000-gallon Tidal Wave Bay wave pool or chillax in the one‑third‑mile Sunset River. Declare a water war on your family members at the three‑story Beach House, featuring 200 water guns, nozzles, sprayers and other interactive surprises.
Hop over to our Soak City Guide for all the fun details.
Note the Chaperone Policy
All guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to be admitted to or stay in the park or water park after 4:00 p.m. to close. Monday through Thursday and after 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. (The policy may vary or become stricter per day as needed.) The chaperone must present a valid photo ID with a date of birth. One chaperone may accompany no more than 10 guests ages 15 years old or younger per day. Chaperones must accompany their party during entry, remain in the park, and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests ages 15 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection.
This chaperone requirement applies to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City Waterpark. The policy is subject to change, so review it on the Code of Conduct page before you visit.
What are you most looking forward to at Knott's Berry Farm summer nights and daytime too? Let us know in the comments below. Are you on a SoCal vacation? We sell discount Los Angeles and San Diego Go City multi-attraction passes. Both include Knott's Berry Farm and Knott's Soak City as well as and other major attractions such as Universal Studios Hollywood, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, LEGOLAND or the San Diego Zoo.
Related: The Full Lineup of Beary-Good Knott's Berry Farm Events
Related: Best Theme Parks in California by Age Group
Hoppy planning!
