Southern California’s longest-running theme park haunt returns for its 50th year. When you’re celebrating five decades, you’ve gotta go big, and Knott’s Scary Farm is doing just that. We’ve got your rundown of what’s new at Knott’s Scary Farm this year, what’s returning, and what you can expect. By introducing new scares, reviving old favorites, and paying homage to five decades of history, Knott’s Scary Farm is marrying horrors through the decades for a proper and all-encompassing celebration. The Golden Year celebration will feature three new mazes (and seven returning mazes), five scare zones, and four shows. The Knott’s team will also be introducing a new interactive technology in the form of the Conductor’s Lantern. When you purchase one of these, the lantern will unlock various interactions throughout the park, including activations within the mazes. The 50th year of Knott’s Scary Farm starts on September 21 and runs through October 31, for 29 terrifying nights.
What’s new at Knott’s Scary Farm this year?
The three new mazes will be joining this year’s lineup: Cinema Slasher, The Chilling Chamber, and Room 13. Check out a detailed description of each of those new experiences below.
Cinema Slasher (Maze) – Venturing through the mystical Midnight Theater, guests travel through the silver screen and into a trilogy of slasher movies. As they are swallowed into the world of gothic horror, they become the movie characters who try to escape the wrath of the dangerous Slasher. Will everyone survive, or will they become forever ensnared in the decaying reality from a bygone era? The conniving Midnight Theater wickedly opens its doors, daring those brave enough to buy a ticket to Cinema Slasher!
The Chilling Chambers (Maze) – In honor of the first maze in Knott’s Scary Farm’s prestigious history, the “10 Chilling Chambers” is a ghastly new attraction that gives a nostalgic nod to Scary Farm’s past while terrorizing the audience of today. Guided by The Keeper, the sinister caretaker of the conservatory of horrors, guests are thrust beyond the threshold of an ominous towering cathedral that leads to terrifying classic maze themes from Knott’s Scary Farm’s infamous history. Scream from countless fears of seasons gone by as 50 years of terror are unleashed in The Chilling Chambers.
Room 13 (Maze) – Violent murders at The Blind Tiger interrupt the Prohibition-era revelry on Memory Lane. A dangerously delicious new cocktail named The Devil’s Elixir seems to be at the root of the mayhem, but where did the mysterious green aperitif come from? The answers may lie at the heart of the extravagant Argive Hotel, where many have checked in to Room 13… but none have checked out.
Other new offerings this year include The Gauntlet Scare Zone (returning as a re-imagined classic), the return of a revamped Dr. Cleaver show, and a brand new Music, Monsters & Mayhem show.
The Gauntlet (Scare Zone) – In this reimagined version of the fan favorite, classic characters return to invade Camp Snoopy, but with an updated twist. Guests will again encounter the King and Queen of the realm, maniacal jesters, brutal barbarians, wicked wizards, and lawless peasants. They’ve all returned with an onslaught of fresh terror. All Hail the King or suffer the wrath of The Gauntlet!
Dr. Cleaver Returns (Show) – Your favorite demented doctor is back for more Halloween hijinks! Grab a seat at the world-famous Bird Cage Theatre for a wicked journey into the great beyond. The Hanging: Uncancelled (Show) – The Lawman has returned to track down the vilest villains of the past year in this pop culture parody stunt extravaganza. No one is safe when the gates of the Wagon Camp swing open.
Music, Monsters & Mayhem (Show) – “Music, Monsters and Mayhem” takes you on a scintillating and provocative musical journey celebrating 50 years of terror and frights. Featuring a rockin’ score, wild laughs, and a cast of singing and dancing monstrosities bound to get your heart racing with screams of delight!
What’s returning to Knott’s Scary Farm this year?
In addition to new offerings (and re-imagined favorites), we also have a plethora of fan favorites coming back to flesh out this year’s Knott’s Scary Farm lineup. The big announcement on this front was… the return of the ever-popular show— The Hanging! After a hiatus, the signature show is back on the main stage. Here’s a list of seven returning mazes:
Bloodline 1842 – Enter the battlegrounds of the war-torn streets of the city of Valdonia as you take a perilous journey into the heart of a raging war between the immortal Daybreakers and the bloodthirsty Valhymphri. Armed with only your wits and courage, find the remaining Daybreakers and help them destroy the King of the Valhymphri.
The Grimoire – Turn the page and enter the world of an ancient relic whose dark stories exist purely to turn your greatest nightmares into reality. Enter the world of a mysterious spell book and escape the demonic creatures inside or be eternally trapped within!
Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind – Within the canvas tent lies the secret of the most potent force in the universe: the human mind. A hypnotic session with Professor Mesmer can cure all phobias, including snakes, spiders, darkness, claustrophobia and much more! Enter the professor’s dark world of hypnosis and come face to face with what lies beyond.
Wax Works – Buy a ticket and enter the most amazing wax museum the world has ever seen! The figures look so lifelike you’ll swear you saw them move…or scream. It’s rumored that blood-curdling screams can be heard echoing through the halls of Wax Works as victims are horrifyingly submerged into a scorching hot cauldron of bubbling wax.
Origins: The Curse of Calico – Pierce the veil of time and discover the secret of the evil fog that hangs over Knott’s Scary Farm in Origins: The Curse of Calico. Unearth the sinister paranormal activity that plagues the town as Sarah Marshall is put on trial for her suspected crimes of witchcraft. All will be revealed as the Green Witch rises and curses those who have accused her.
The Depths – Follow in the steps of a doomed mining team as you plunge deeper and deeper into the catacombs beneath the sinister seaside town. All who have entered have never resurfaced. Myths of the terrifying horrors that lurk within the cave have often been whispered but never confirmed. But be warned, as this is your last chance to walk this treacherous path through a sunken ship and into the dark unknown that lies beyond.
Dark Entities – Teleport beyond Earth in a shattered space station, launching you through a zero-gravity descent into chaos. Strange forces have taken over, and the crew has been transformed into multidimension mutants. Escape quickly, as the dark entities plan to eliminate all living forms aboard the station for good. There’s nowhere to escape as time is running out.
Don’t forget the Scare Zones:
If you think you’re safe once you make it out of a maze… think again! Monsters are lurking in the streets of Knott’s Scary Farm, and they don’t give you a moment’s rest. Unless you purchase the “No Boo” optional add on which will grant you monster immunity on the streets but not in the mazes, (sorry Mom!) The Ghost Town Streets are filled with fog and all manner of ghouls, evil clown stalk the boardwalk, the Gore-ing ’20s scare zone invites you to venture into the Blind Tiger speakeasy for a taste of the Devil’s Elixir, and the Forsaken Lake offers up dark and murky creatures emerging from their crypts.
Other returning favorites joining the festivities include the Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny , the Calico Candy Mine, Into The Fog: A Scary Farm Tribute Art Show, and Le Magnifique Carnaval du Grotesque. If one night is simply not enough to get your fifty years of haunt fill, you’re in luck.
What’s on the menu?
Knott’s Scary Farm always introduces interesting new menu items for their annual festivities, and as a novelty snack enthusiast this is always one of my favorite parts about the event. But as noted above, this year is extra special, and that calls for an extra special menu. Executive Chef Andre Lane was up for the challenge, and given free range to really play with his food. As he described it, he felt like a “mad scientist” concocting recipes using meats and ingredients we don’t typically find on a Southern California amusement park menu.
From turtle pizza (yes, using actual turtle meat), which is common in the South but not so common on the West Coast (also we really think Cannibal Holocaust pizza would have been a perfect name for this delicacy) to more common (but no less tasty) fare like Sweet Potato Pie. Chef Lane absolutely lights up when walking us through this year’s offerings.
But the menu item Chef is most excited about this year? That unique distinction goes to Camel Stew. Recipes for camel meat were harder to come by and required quite a bit of experimentation, but what mad scientist doesn’t love a challenge? Chef and his team toiled away, finding ways to get the tenderization and textures just right along with the desired flavor, landing on something Chef Lane is truly proud of. So should you find yourself in the park this season, venture out and maybe amuse your bouche with a bowl of Chef’s Camel Stew.
If you’re not feeling quite so adventurous, don’t worry. Amid the more exotic offerings like gator sausages and ostrich hoagies, you’ll still find more run-of-the-mill fare like specially-themed burgers and pastries. And don’t forget an order of famous Knott’s Berry Farm funnel cake, with some additional themed versions to bring it up to par for the celebration. If you’re inclined to partake in some alcoholic libations, blood bags are back with two flavors, and you can find black margaritas scattered throughout the park, along with my personal favorite — the Devil’s Elixir. Do you dare take a swig? Take a peek at the full event menu offerings.
Knott’s Scary Farm Season Pass
Unlimited visits are an option with this upgrade. The pass is $149 (+taxes and fees.) Non-Season 2023 Passholders can purchase standalone Scary Farm Season Passes for $159, plus taxes and fees.
Single-night tickets are available on the official Knott’s Scary Farm page, and you’ll save money purchasing online ahead of time over the main gate price of $109.99. Knott’s Season Passholders receive a discount on single-night tickets.
Fright & Fast Lane lets you skip the lines, and those start at $145 and vary by night. Separate Scary Farm event admission is required and not included.
2023 Knott’s Scary Farm Dates
This year, the event returns on September 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, October 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 31. Knott’s Scary Farm is open 7:00 pm – 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays and 7:00 pm – 1:00 am on select Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Due to the explicit and frightening nature of the event, it is not recommended for children under 13.
A quick heads up regarding Knott’s Scary Farm chaperones and bag policy:
A chaperone policy will remain in effect for all Knott’s Scary Farm event nights. Under this policy, all guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old in order to be admitted into the park.
In addition, an updated bag policy will remain in effect for this year’s Knott’s Scary Farm. Clear plastic bags smaller than 12” x 12” x 6” as well as non-clear wristlets or clutches no larger than 5”x 8”x 2” are allowed at Knott’s Scary Farm. All bags are subject to search prior to entry.
Head to the official Knott’s Scary Farm website for more information on the 50th anniversary of Knott’s Scary Farm, including admission, park hours, and events.
