Knott’s Berry Farm was the first theme park to hold a Halloween event back in the early 1970s. Perhaps you’ve heard of Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt? It’s quite terrifying — but wait! There is a much tamer daytime family Halloween event at Knott’s Berry Farm, and our toddler, Lily, can tag along. Knott’s Spooky Farm offers all of the Halloween fall fun without the scares.
Overview of Knott’s Spooky Farm
Knott’s Spooky Farm is a daytime Halloween event that takes place at Knott's Berry Farm during select days in the fall. The event is part of normal operating theme park hours and is geared toward ages 3 to 11.
Families can join in some slightly wicked fun with Halloween décor and not-so-scary surprises around every corner. There are sweet eats, special ride overlays, Halloween-themed entertainment and more. Plus the whole family can dress in costume. Our tadpoles always jump at the chance to dress up, especially Lily. The Peanuts characters wear costumes too!
Keep in mind that there are still some decorations up from Scary Farm, but they are mostly pumpkins, skeletons and spider webs, which don't seem as spooky in the light of day. But all of the gory stuff and monsters are safely out of sight.
Knott's Spooky Farm Dates, Tickets and Hours
This daytime event takes place on Thursdays through Sundays, plus Halloween from opening to 5:30 p.m., Sept. 28 through Oct. 31, 2023. It takes place on Halloween day, and usually Oct. 9, for the holiday. You’ll be safely out of the park and working off your sugar rush before the real monsters emerge at 7 p.m. for Knott's Scary Farm. We recommend arriving at park opening for the lowest crowds.
The best part about Knott's Spooky Farm is that it's included with your regular theme park ticket and takes place during normal park hours in daylight. Did you know that we have hopped into selling discount Knott's Berry Farm tickets? You'll want the Season 4, Single Day Any Day Ticket to attend. You can also purchase a Monday through Thursday ticket if you plan to visit on a Thursday or on Halloween to save some green on an over-the-weekend ticket. You'll save up to $38 over the front gate price if you visit on a Thursday and save $29 on the weekend. Ribbit, ribbit!
Knott's Spooky Farm Special Entertainment
There are several shows to watch. Check the show schedule on the Knott’s Berry Farm app to plan out your day. Arrive at least 20 minutes early to get a seat.
(Not confirmed for 2023) Great Pumpkin Palooza at Camp Snoopy Theatre — This is where you’ll get more than a rock. It’s a high-energy music tribute to one of the best holidays ever, featuring Snoopy, Lucy and Linus. Spooky can be fun!
Bob Baker Marionettes at the Bird Cage Theatre — Watch talented puppeteers put on a spooky puppet show. We especially loved the skeletons under blacklight. They return in 2023.
Pumpkin Patch — We all know Linus spends most of his Halloween in the pumpkin patch waiting for the Great Pumpkin. You can spend some time in the Ghost Town Pumpkin Patch by decorating a cookie ($5) or personalizing a mini jack-o-lantern ($6 to $8).
Meet Creepy Critters of Calico — Stop by the Livery Stable to meet spiders, bugs, snakes and other creepy crawlies that we frogs sometimes refer to as snacks. Just kidding! The albino scorpions were toadally cool. We also got a glimpse of the skeleton horse (OK, the bones were just painted on the horse). It's worth hopping by to meet some new animal friends. You can even pet or hold some of them!
Knott's Spooky Farm Character Greetings and Rides
You'll find Peanuts characters out from morning until 4:30 p.m. at the Beagle Scout Headquarters. Be sure to look for other Knott's characters around the park as well. You can find them at the Costume Cavalcade and Great Pumpkin Palooza.
While all of the rides are open for Knott's Spooky Farm, a few rides take you on a special trip during this time.
Take a Train Trip to Camp Spooky — All aboard! Hop on the Grand Sierra Railroad for an adventure on A Trip to Camp Spooky with the Peanuts gang. Can you spy 2D and 3D Halloween characters and effects on your journey?
Take a Sweet Ride on Calico Candy Mine Ride — This ride mysteriously transforms from silver ore to pure candy every Halloween.
Halloween Hootenanny — The Timber Mountain Log Ride has Halloween decorations (and possibly an alien encounter) on this family-friendly, splashtastic classic ride.
Costumes at Knott's Spooky Farm
The whole family can dress up for Knott's Spooky Farm! Since it is a daytime event, be sure your costume works with the weather so you don't get too hot or you might get some cranky boils and ghouls in your skeleton crew. Choose family-friendly costumes that are not too scary for the tadpoles.
Show off your costumes in the Town Costume Cavalcade. Join the Calico Mayor and Cameo Kate as you show off your costume in the colossal cavalcade led by costumed Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus and Lucy. It takes place at 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Trick-or-Treating in Ghost Town at Knott's Spooky Farm
You just might spot some actual pretend ghosts in Ghost Town this time of year. Don't worry! They are friendly and hand out candy. Head down to the Gold Mine Trail, where guests can find an additional place to trick-or-treat, play carnival games (for a fee) and taste ghoulishly delightful treats.
We can never get enough trick-or-treating. But it’s extra fun to collect candy from friendly scarecrows and neighborhood ghouls on Schoolhouse Rd. and Ghost Town Main St. We received Airheads, Twizzlers, M&Ms, Skittles, Charleston Chews and more. Kids 12 and under receive an orange treat bag upon entering the park and do not need to bring their own.
Knott's Spooky Farm Food
Knott’s always has all of the yummy, good stuff! You can stuff your face with special Halloween treats (see more pics in our Knott's Scary Farm guide) and more. You can find the menu in the Knott's Berry Farm app. Scary Farm menu items are also available to eat during the day.
Keep in mind that food lines get scary long. Hop in line early for lunch before you become a hangry mummy! Grizzly Creek Lodge in Camp Snoopy, I mean Camp Spooky, opens earlier than other restaurants and has all the tadpole faves. Boardwalk BBQ and Panda Express have faster lines than some other options. We also love the Ghost Town Grill table-service restaurant. It's not much more expensive than the quick-service locations and is a lot more relaxing (and not to mention yummy!).
Here's a look at all the fun 2023 Halloween foods. This year introduces some rather interesting and unusual meat choices. These festive foods are available during both Knott's Spooky Farm and Knott's Scary Farm.
Hop back for a complete list of frightful foods and where to find them this season. Here's a sneak peek at the 2023 items we tried at a media preview:
- Camel Stew in a Bread Bowl (It's really good and has a curry base.)
- Spicy Swamp Gator Sausage
- Spookghetti Pie
- A la Diabla Fries
- The Gauntlet Garlic Overload Burger (It's tasty and may help you ward off vampires.)
- Witch's Green Bean Fries
- Mesmer's Midnight Salad
- The "Bat" "Shhhh" Crazy Pasta Salad (has rabbit tenderloin on it).
- Ostrich Hoagie
- Elk burger
- Mutant Turtle Philly Cheese Steak Pizza featuring turtle meat, sliced Philly meat, nacho cheese, mozzarella and peppers
- Mac and Cheese Pepperoni Pizza
- Terrifying Teriyaki Meatballs
- French Onion Bagel Burger
- Fingers and Toes Tater Tots
- Halloween Cake Pops, Cupcakes, Crispies and Cookies
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Jack O'Lantern Brownie
- Raspberry Beignets
- Halloween Snoopy Cookie
- Spider Cookie
- Nightmare Oreo Cheesecake Bar
- Graveyard Mousse Cup
- Black Whoopie Pie
Fun Funnel Cakes:
- Cinema Slasher
- Ginger Snap
- Cereal Killer
Knott's Spooky Farm Tips
Here's our advice to make your day at Knott's Spooky Farm terrific instead of terrifying:
- Choose a costume that is comfortable for walking around the park and rides.
- Check the weather to dress appropriately.
- Visit on a Thursday or Friday for the lowest crowds and food lines.
- Arrive early. The early frog gets the flies (and shortest lines). We recommend being there at the opening time.
- Hit as many rides as you can before the crowds thicken by noon.
- Arrive with a full belly. Food lines can get scary long.
- Bring water and refillable bottles to stay hydrated.
- Find showtimes, foods and characters in the app.
- Be sure to visit the new Fiesta Village and try the food there!
Keep in mind that Knott's Berry Farm has a chaperone policy in effect. You can find the most up-to-date information on Knott's Code of Conduct page.
Will you be heading to Knott's Spooky Farm this year? What is your favorite part? Don't pay scary prices to visit. Save with discount Knott's Berry Farm tickets from Undercover Tourist.
Related: The Full Lineup of Beary-Good Knott's Berry Farm Events
Hoppy planning!
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