Knott’s Merry Farm: Know Before You Go

There’s no better place to truly immerse yourself in the joy of the holiday season than Knott’s Merry Farm in Buena Park, CA. During the winter months, Knott’s Berry Farm theme park will transform into a Christmas town reminiscent of a story book. Specialty treats, handcrafted gifts, stage productions, nightly tree lighting, snowfall, and so much more can be found throughout the park. With so much to see and do, we put together this list of things to know before you go.

Discounts on Discounts
Save and purchase discounted tickets ahead of time to Knott's Merry Farm. Single day tickets purchased in advance online saves you up to $30 off of main gate pricing. Knott’s Hotel also offers packages that include park tickets, hotel stays, and dining options.

Stage Productions Throughout the Park
You could spend hours at Merry Farm watching just their entertainment alone. Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas Ice Show at the Walter Knott Theatre is a visual display of the classic poem, ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ put on by the entire PEANUTS gang. This is one of the most popular events at Merry Farm, so we recommend arriving early because seating is limited. Over on the Calico Mine Stage, you’ll find Home for the Holidays, a musical filled with the classics like “There’s No Place Like Home for The Holidays,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Jingle Bells,” “Here We Come A-Caroling,” and many others.

Calico Carolers at Knott's Merry Farm in Buena Park, CA

Entertainment at Every Corner
Knott’s Merry Farm goes above and beyond with other entertainment to be found throughout the park. As you’re strolling through Ghost Town, keep an eye out for the Calico Carolers that can be seen spreading holiday cheer in their festive ensembles. The Boardwalk Ballroom will transform into Tinsel Top Club, where you can dance the night away to live swing band music.While hanging out with the little ones in Camp Snoopy, a Christmas light show can be found that is sure to awe-inspire. Remember to check the Knott’s Berry Farm mobile app for show times of various musical performances from groups like The Sleigh Bells, the Rockin' Reindeer, Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies, and the Bluegrass Duo.

Nightly Park-Wide Lighting Moment
Every night at sunset, Knott’s Merry Farm becomes a winter wonderland of stunning lights. The best place to be is Calico Square, where you’ll be able to witness the lighting of the Christmas tree, along with the voices of the Merry Farm carolers. To get the perfect view, head over 20-30 minutes before sunset to claim your spot.

Snow and Glow at Knott's Merry Farm in Buena Park, CA

Snow in the OC
After the sun has gone down and the Christmas lights are aglow, the Snow and Glow spectacular brings snowfall to the streets of Ghost Town. This festive experience occurs several times throughout the night and varies dependent on park closure time, so this is another one of those offerings that is key to check on the day of your visit. The Knott’s Berry Farm mobile app will have the show times of the day listed for your convenience.

Festive Photo Opportunities
Perfect for those holiday cards to send home, Santa and friends are available for photos in Santa’s Christmas Cabin. After Christmas, Santa will return back home to the North Pole to prep for next holiday season and Santa Snoopy will step in for meet-and-greets.

Shopping Opportunities without Park Admission
With over two dozen vendors, the Christmas Crafts Village at Knott’s Merry Farm is a prime destination for holiday shopping. While enjoying the festivities, you can also find the perfect gift for all of your loved ones – from wood carvings done before your very eyes to glass-blown ornaments. Should you need some extra time outside of your park day to go back and look through all the handcrafted goodies, the village will be open to the public on select dates with no theme park admission required. You can also enjoy all of the Christmas merchandise and gifts in the Marketplace Emporium at the California Marketplace, just steps outside the park.

Christmas treats at Knott's Merry Farm in Buena Park, CA

Seasonal Eats and Treats
Various seasonal treats will be available throughout the park. Be sure to check back for the 2024 food guide, which will be revealed ahead of the park's Christmas transformation.

Rides on Rides on Rides
In between all the holiday festivities, check out HangTime, a standout coaster with California's steepest dive at a breathtaking 96 degrees, combining a vertical lift and inversions for an exhilarating ride. For wooden coaster fans, GhostRider delivers over 4,500 feet of smooth track featuring sharp turns and heart-pounding drops. Families will enjoy the Timber Mountain Log Ride, a scenic flume adventure that immerses riders in a picturesque mountain landscape, culminating in an exciting drop. The Calico Mine Train offers a gentle yet whimsical experience through the hills of Calico, complete with engaging animatronics and surprises along the way. Lastly, Silver Bullet provides a thrilling suspended coaster experience, allowing riders to twist and loop above the ground, making it a must-try for adrenaline seekers. The park also recently unveiled the newly imagined Camp Snoopy, where families can enjoy attractions like Sierra Sidewinder, a spinning coaster that takes riders on a whirlwind journey through the woods, and Snoopy's Tenderpaw Twister Coaster, designed specifically for younger guests, offering gentle twists and turns for a fun-filled experience.

Silver Bullet roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA

Maximize Your Time
Skip the line all day long with a Fast Lane Pass, which gives you priority access to all your favorite attractions like HangTime, GhostRider, Silver Bullet, Supreme Scream, and more. Be sure to view the Fast Lane Availability Calendar to ensure it will be offered the day of your visit.

Leave Cash at Home
Knott’s Berry Farm is a cashless theme park, meaning that all cashiers throughout the park will only accept credit, debit, or a smart device with Apple Pay or Google Pay in place of cash. If for any reason you only have cash or forgot your card at home, no need to fret, there are cash-to-card kiosks where you can load cash onto a card with any amount between $1 to $500.

After a long day of excitement, choose from over a dozen comfortable and affordable hotels in Buena Park. Check out our ‘suite’ hotel and ticket deals. To start planning your SoCal vacation, order your FREE Buena Park Travel Guide.

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Riders on Hangtime ride at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA

Knott’s Merry Farm: Know Before You Go

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