What's happening at Knott's Berry Farm this summer? It looks like 2022 will be most frogciting with the return of Ghost Town Alive! The annual Summer Nights party is back too. The summer entertainment kicked off early on May 20 and runs through Sept. 5, 2022. Don't froget, the water park — Knott's Soak City — is open to cool you off on hot summer days. It opened for the season May 21, 2022, initially on weekends and then daily mid-June.
There is so much fun to be had at Knott’s Berry Farm this summer. It's 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. (Hop over to our post on tips for Knott's Berry Farm with kids to learn more.) We all love digging in to Knott's delicious food (including Knott’s boysenberry pie). After 5:30 p.m., the Knott's tasting cards and food booths return (until one hour before park close)! 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 in the Calico Mine Train. Summer is looking to be berry fun!
What's Hoppening at Knott's Berry Farm in Summer 2022?
We hopped by opening weekend of Ghost Town Alive! We are so hoppy this event, celebrating Founder's Day, has been brought back to life. The whole family had fun interacting with the Calico townspeople and western gangs. We were even sworn in as citizens of Calico. The tadpoles loved jumping into friendly competitions, delivering packages and telegrams for the townspeople and even playing cards with the sheriff. We saw a couple get hitched 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 crazy cheap. There's a summer tasting card for tasty eats on summer nights. Plus. look for additional all-day summer menu items at restaurants around the park to come soon (some on the dining plan). And the food is so good! All of this sets Knott's up to create a summer to remember.
Ghost Town Alive!
Ghost Town Alive! springs back to life for summer 2022! 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 5:30 p.m.?
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. At 10 a.m. Ghost Town comes to life. 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? It turns out there's a treasure map that leads to gold. But all three groups feel that the map is rightfully theirs. 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 at 5:30 p.m.
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! We are not sure what this prospector has been 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 in summer 2022. Knott's no longer has to limit capacity. You'll want to arrive before park opening for the shortest lines of the day.
Party at Knott's Summer Nights
Every summer night heats up for Knott’s Summer Nights party. The park lights up at dusk with live bands, DJs and party lights stretching from Calico Square to Charleston Circle. It’s not just on the weekends — you can cut a rug almost every night this summer through Sept. 5! Expect entertainment to be weekend 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. 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 Summer Nights Foods
Knott’s has tasty food, so be sure to purchase a food tasting card (available online now or purchase in the park) to sample delicious one-of-a-kind summertime treats and good eats or drinks. Most food stands are available from 5:30 p.m. until one hour before park close. The tasting card costs $50 plus tax and fees (season passholders save $5) and is good for six tastes. If you've attended any of the past taste events, you know the portions are HUGE! Good news! You do not have to use all the tastes in one night. We recommend sharing.
Here's a look at the booth items for 2022:
- Crab Cake Slider with a Lemon Caper Aioli
- Chicken Teriyaki or Plant Based Lettuce WrapCarnitas or Vegan Chorizo Tacos with ChimichurriTeriyaki Chicken or Plant Based Lettuce Wraps
- Cowboy Stew with Kielbasa with a Waffle Biscuit
- Bratwurst with Sauerkraut in a Onion Poppy Hoagie
- Spicy Chicken Waffle Slider with a Honey Mustard Coleslaw
- Veggie Portobello Burger with Spinach, Red Onion and Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo
- Strawberry Donut Cake in a cup
- Loaded Potato Bowl with Queso Blanco and Hatch Chilis (a Frog Family favorite!)
- Lemon, Kale, Brussel Sprouts and Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
- Caprese Tortellini Salad
- Acai bowl with Berries and Granola
- Cookiewich - assorted flavors
- Corn on the Cob
![Ghost Town Alive! Returns to Knott's Berry Farm This Summer-Korean burger]()
Korean BBQ Burger- Peach and Pineapple Shaved Ice
- Mini Peach Pie
- Shrimp Spring Roll with Peanut Sauce
- Summer Vanilla Iced Latte
- Ice Cream Cones
- Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots
- Red, White or Boysenberry Wine
- Mango Smoothie
- Fruity Vitamin Water with Cucumber, Blackberry, and Mango
- Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade
- Blackberry Margarita
- Desert Pear Ranch Water
- Watermelon Lager
- Boysenberry Hefeweizen
- Raspberry Mojito
- Rose Apple Hard Cider
- Boysenberry Sangria Mule
- Blood Orange Michelada
Summer Nights food locations are available select dates beginning as early as 5:30 p.m. to 1 hour prior to park close.
Gluten, vegetarian, and vegan friendly options available upon request. Items and locations are subject to change.
Attend a Marionette Show
In 2022 you can watch Alegre! on select dates through July 4. This colorful celebration of music and marionettes from Bob Baker Marionette Theater took place in Fiesta Village. You do not want to miss a lineup of samba-dancing cacti, fluttering flowers, a majestic marimba player and many puppets that pay tribute to California's Hispanic roots and vibrant culture. Marionettes performed at Knott's in the late 1950s and 1980s, so we nostalgic frogs were toadally excited to see them return to the Knott's stage.
![Ghost Town Alive! Returns to Knott's Berry Farm This Summer-Band playing]()
Catch Musical Acts
Catch Musical Acts- Live Bands at the Calico Mine Stage – A rotation of top 40's bands play nightly.
- 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.
- Mariachi Angelitas (select dates through July 4)
- Ride the Tide – High-energy duo plays at Boardwalk BBQ at dinner time.
- Ghost Town Miners – Grab a plate of BBQ at Fireman's BBQ and listen to a selection of bluegrass and country music.
- The Mighty Tornadoes – Come on down toWagon Camp for wild, fun country music adventures.
- K-NOT Radio – DJ's are spinning out music on the Boardwalk
- Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies – Head to wagon camp to tap your toes to this funny band.
- DJ Lance Rock (of "Yo Gabba Gabba") – DJ Lance Rock has two different shows, "Let's Play!" and "Let's Dance!" at the Walter Knott Theater this summer on select dates (mostly weekends and holidays).
Fireworks
Celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks on July 3 and 4, 2022. 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. Check the show times in the Knott's Berry Farm app for fireworks and other entertainment.
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 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.
The water park is open from May 21 through early September 2022. You can get a jump on saving $10 per ticket starting May 28 when you buy from your favorite froggy friends.
Note the New Safety Policy on Fridays and Saturdays
Effective Friday, July 22, 2022, on Fridays and Saturdays, all guests ages 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to be admitted to the park. The chaperone must present a valid photo ID with date of birth. One chaperone may accompany no more than three guests ages 17 years old or younger per day. Chaperones must accompany their party during entry, remain with their party at all times during their visit to the park, and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests ages 17 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.
What are you most looking forward to at Knott's Berry Farm in summer? Let us know in the comments below. We now sell discount tickets for Knott's Soak City too!
Related: The Full Lineup of Beary-Good Knott's Berry Farm Events
Related: Best Theme Parks in California by Age Group
Hoppy planning!
