The original theme park haunt, Knott’s Scary Farm, has revealed its full onslaught of frights for the 2022 haunt season. Unimaginable new scares await for its 49th frightful year. Sporting 17 haunted experiences, including five spine-chilling scare zones, nine monstrous mazes that include two new walkthroughs and 7 returning, and three sinister shows.  Knott’s Scary Farm will run for 26 terrifying nights from September 22 – October 31.

NEW STUFF

Knott’s Scary Farm appears to have been hard at work on a handful of new offerings for their 49th year.

Bloodline 1842 (Maze)

Armed with the latest Bellatorian weaponry, you can choose to heed the call to action and embark on a perilous journey with the immortal Daybreakers. Travel through the busy city streets of Valdonia while hunting the bloodthirsty Valhymphri in an all-out war. Bring light into the darkness, survive the vicious onslaught of vampires, and bring honor to your order!

Bloodline 1842 - NEW MAZE Knott's Scary Farm 2022

The Grimoire (Maze)

Turn the page and enter the world of an ancient relic whose dark stories exist purely to turn your greatest nightmares into a reality. Enter the world of a mysterious spell book and escape the demonic creatures inside or be eternally trapped within!

The Grimoire - ALL NEW Maze - Knott's Scary Farm 2022

Beyond the Fog: A behind-the-scenes tour of Knott’s Scary Farm

Behind the scenes of Knott’s Scary Farm, an army of talented builders and creators work hard to make California’s original and most haunting Halloween event a success. Similar to what HorrorBuzz has offered in the past during the popular Passport to Fear Fan Events, Knott’s is now inviting guests to come backstage for a 3-hour behind-the-scenes look at Knott’s Scary Farm where you’ll learn the history of Scary Farm and take part in a walking tour of multiple Knott’s Scary Farm mazes with the lights on! Grab your walking shoes for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to go Beyond the Fog.

Le Magnifique Carnaval du Grotesque (Show) – Calico Mine Stage

One of the bigger disappointments of last year’s event was the entertainment from the Calico stage. For 2022, the Knott’s team is offering the reimagined Le Magnifique Carnaval du Grotesque.  The show promises to feature a collection of death-defying feats and dangerous carnival acts to delight your darkest desires and fill your senses with terror.

Conjurers: Dark Magic (Show) – Bird Cage Theater

Magic is back at The Bird Cage Theatre and this time things are getting darker. It seems that with death no longer the end, the Undertaker has nearly been run out of business. Fortunately, in all his dealings with death and the afterlife, he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. Tricks will come in handy as he crosses over to the other side to show our still-living guests what he’s learned.

Returning Mazes

Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind – Within the canvas tent lies the secret of the most potent force in the universe: the human mind. Give in and succumb to the hypnotist Mesmer and his sinister sideshow, as it preys on your hidden fears. Release your inner thoughts and descend into a world of madness, torture, and eerie enlightenment. There you will uncover the grotesque secrets hidden as you brave through the most terrifying show ever created.

Wax Works – Mysterious lights and strange noises have begun to emanate from the eerie abandoned wax museum. 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. The once prominent plastic surgeon, Dr. Augustus Scratch, has been seen tinkering at night and is now ready to show off his beautiful yet terrifying life-like masterpieces of hot molten wax and bloody flesh. Take a closer look at his gruesome works of art and try to escape his deadly grip or become the newest masterpiece to add to his collection.

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 unveiled when the Green Witch rises and curses the townsfolk, transforming all who have accused her into a wicked horde of malicious creatures with an eternal quench for the living.

Pumpkin Eater – Watch your head as you navigate the twisted passages as you come face to face with the pumpkin monsters that lurk in the dark of the Pumpkin Eater maze. The notorious creature is on the prowl, hidden within the dark confines of the haunted town he once terrorized. To escape the sinister Pumpkin Eater’s wrath, all who enter must go on a quest through the silent town of victims, face a cave of crawling insects and solve the labyrinth of thorns that blocks the way out. Enjoy one last slice of terror as this legendary journey through a colonial nightmare comes to a horrific end.

Dark Ride – Pull down that lap bar for one final spin through an abandoned carnival ride where cruel carnie folk still linger in the shadows in Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos. The carnival has become a refuge for freaks and carnies. Now those shunned performers have created a dark world of terror which they plan to unleash on those who enter. Dark Ride will lead brave visitors through a treacherous path and into the bowels of a long-neglected attraction, as sinister shadows and horrifying scenes cast the gloom over the once pleasant ride. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare, being helplessly trapped inside an abandoned carnival ride without a way out. Escape quickly, as the ol’ carnival ride is about to be shut down for good and with it any chance of ever getting out alive.

The Depths – A heavy fog drapes over an abandoned port village where ancient creatures lurk inside the pitch-black underground caves hidden below the seaside shores. The Nightwatch Mining Crew has mysteriously disappeared, and village rumors point to the eerie tunnels the town sits upon. But be warned, all who have entered have never resurfaced. Myths of the terrifying horrors that lurk within the cave have often been whispered but never confirmed. Did the crew meet their demise at the hand of vicious creatures that live within the cave? Journey into the ominous caverns to discover if the superstitions revolving around the cave are true or not.

Dark Entities – Teleport beyond earth into a realm where the darkness is absolute. In the depths of space, a lone station faces terror beyond all imagination. An extraterrestrial mutation has invaded the station, and it’s on the prowl for new hosts. The unearthly inhabitants’ force increases as it feeds on its unwilling victims. Escape the dark entities before their deadly force eliminates all living forms aboard the station. There’s nowhere to escape when time is running out!

Returning Scare Zones

In between the mazes, shows, and attractions, there are 5 richly themed scare zones to enjoy throughout the park. While there are no new additions to the scare zones for 2022, it’s still a brilliant lineup.

Gore-ing 20’s – Step back into the dark decadence of a by-gone era as the scare zone The Gore-ing 20’s terrorizes even the bravest and most brutal souls. Here gangsters run illicit hooch for the ghostly revelers as the otherworldly musicians play the music of the damned. Tell the Bouncer the secret password, and you’ll have the time of your life for as long as it lasts.

Ghost Town Streets  – Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, and beware the notoriously stunning sliders, who lunge from fog-filled corners of the land.

CARNEVIL – On the Boardwalk, deviant clowns crave your undying attention in the CARNEVIL scare zone.

The Hollow – Saddle up for one final ride through the bramble-filled passageways of The Hollow scare zone. The treacherous Witches of the Hollow, and their armies of creatures have risen once again to battle with the Witch Hunter.

Forsaken Lake – The Lake underneath Silver Bullet recedes to reveal the Forsaken Lake scare zone, where gothic creatures ravaged by the dark and murky waters wander from their crypts preying on unsuspecting visitors, looking for victims to drag back to their watery graves.

Returning Stuff

Puppet Up! Uncensored – Walter Knott Theatre
No, it’s not scary, but we are firmly in the Puppet Up! camp. Returning nightly to Knott’s Scary Farm for the 2022 season, Puppet Up! Uncensored is an outrageous, off-the-cuff live show featuring a combination of improvisational comedy and the magic of puppetry performed by a cast of world-class comedian puppeteers from The Jim Henson Company. Created by legendary puppeteer and award-winning director Brian Henson and directed by Patrick Bristow (Ellen, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Puppet Up! – Uncensored is no ordinary puppet show. The content is driven by audience suggestions and participation in proper uncensored form, topped with the zany antics and naughty shenanigans of the colorful and brazen puppet cast. Puppet Up! – Uncensored will be performed three times each night at Knott’s Scary Farm and is intended for mature audiences.

Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny (Attraction Overlay) 

A sucker for a good water ride, we always make The Timber Mountain Log Ride a must do. The popular Halloween overlay returns as Timber Mountain residents celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a seasonal twist to a park favorite. Mysterious creatures of Timber Mountain that live out in the woods and caverns join the citizens as they honor the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The Ride’s interior features surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch, and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns all set to an original soundtrack by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.

Into The Fog: A Scary Farm Tribute Art Show – The Factory Store

Into the Fog is an art show specially curated for the discerning Scary Farm fan. The show is home to a collection of original art by unique and talented artists from across the country. These artists have drawn inspiration from Knott’s Scary Farm’s rich 49-year history, and you’re sure to find an original or print you’ll want to take home with you. Along with the Scary Farm art show, you can find all sorts of souvenirs any Halloween fan will be dying to get their hands on.

Knott’s Scary Farm Prices

Now here is where things get interesting. Tickets went on sale today and there is a marked increase in price across the board, save for the Boo-fet. Be prepared to pay.

Single night tickets 

Single Night tickets have gone from $89 in 2021 to a whopping $109 each night of Knott’s Scary Farm. However, if you purchase ahead online, you can get tickets priced as low as $59 on certain nights. The lesson here? BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME. Knott’s Season Passholders can receive a slight discount on single-night tickets ranging anywhere from $2-$5.

Fright & Fast Lane

The Fright & Fast Lane is a necessity on crowded nights and they have jumped in price from a starting $99 in 2021 to an eye-popping $135-$175 and varies by night. No, that does NOT include admission. Separate Scary Farm park admission is required and not included.

 

Beyond the Fog: A behind-the-scenes tour of Knott’s Scary Farm

This new offering is being sold for $79.99 and lasts three hours.

Very Important Monster Tour

Scary Farm’s new Very Important Monster Tour is a rather decadent option. Starting at $549 and going up to $625, this ticket offers Admission, the Boo-fet Dinner, and a private guide for up to 6 hours that gives you priority access to select rides and shows. This is a per-person price with a minimum 2-person order.  Currently, Knott’s website indicates that this does NOT include Priority entrance to mazes, nor does it include the Beyond the Fog Tour.

This begs comparison to Universal Halloween Horror Night’s R.I.P. tour that ranges in price from $319 – $449 that package includes…

  • Halloween Horror Nights. Ticket includes a guided walking tour of the event; one-time R.I.P. entry to each haunted house as well as select rides and attractions (based on tour itinerary), reserved seating at a live show (based on tour itinerary) while on the tour with R.I.P. Tour Guide and Universal Express Unlimited access (with R.I.P. credential) at select houses, rides, and attractions for the night of your tour. Daytime admission to the Park is not included.
  • Valid on your selected date and time only.
  • Exclusive Universal Backlot Halloween experience with a private VIP trolley transportation.
  • Gourmet dinner in the private VIP dining room (alcoholic beverages excluded).
  • Special interactive themed photo opportunities with a scareactor.
  • Reserved VIP seating at a live show (while on tour with R.I.P. Tour Guide).
  • Complimentary valet parking (one vehicle).
  • Special VIP entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood where you will receive your commemorative “R.I.P.” credentials and lanyard.

Just sayin’.

Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-Fet

Staying at $45, the Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet is a solid way to start the night and get into the park early. This option is offered at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant and Spurs Chophouse. Meals include a 2022 souvenir bottle, which gives unlimited refills on the night of your first visit plus only $5 all-day refills each additional visit through 2022.”. After dinner, enjoy early entry into select areas of Knott’s Scary Farm a few minutes before it opens to other mortals. Boo-fet early entry will be to the newest maze Bloodline 1942, Dark Entities, The Depths and Wax Works, and exclusive photo opportunities with the monsters. The Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet dinner is $45 + applicable taxes and fees when purchased online. Separate theme park admission is required and not included.

Parking

Knott’s Scary Farm General parking has gone up $5 to $30 per vehicle. Again we advise that you purchase online ahead of time. One thing to remember is that if you have parking on your Knott’s Season Pass, that will work too.

Dates

Knott’s Scary Farm will be running September 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, October 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Knott’s Scary Farm is open 7:00 pm – 1:00 am, excluding Fridays and Saturdays, where the event will run 7:00 pm – 2:00 am.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

CHAPERONE POLICY – A chaperone policy is being implemented for all Knott’s Scary Farm event nights. Under the policy, all general park 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 four guests ages 17 or younger per day. Chaperones must accompany their party during entry, remain inside the park during their visit, 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.

BAG POLICY – In addition, a bag policy will be implemented for Knott’s Scary Farm. Guests will not be permitted to bring bags larger than 6.5” x 4.5” x 2” into the park, including purses, backpacks, or diaper bags during Scary Farm operation. All bags will be searched prior to entry.

There you have it, folks. Of course, we ALWAYS advise you to check for up-to-the-minute information directly from the knottsscaryfarm.com website or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the scary conversation by using #ScaryFarm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

About the Author

Norman Gidney is a nearly lifelong horror fan. Beginning his love for the scare at the age of 5 by watching John Carpenter's Halloween, he set out on a quest to share his passion for all things spooky with the rest of the world.