The Insider’s Guide to Knott’s Scary Farm

Knott’s Scary Farm is back in Buena Park, for another season of screams, with 10 haunted mazes, five scare zones, live entertainment and plenty of spooky food and drinks to discover throughout the night. Running select nights from Sept. 17 through Oct. 31, 2026, the Halloween SoCal event transforms Knott’s Berry Farm into a fright-filled experience where there’s something new to encounter around every corner.

1 of 4

Get Your Tickets Early
Knott’s Scary Farm tickets are on sale now, and guests can save by purchasing discounted tickets online instead of paying full price at the front gate. Prices vary by date, and certain nights can sell out, so purchasing your tickets in advance is the best way to secure your preferred night. For an even bigger night of scares, upgrade your experience with Fright & Fast Lane, which offers priority access to the haunted mazes and select rides throughout the evening.

Map Out Your Mazes
With 10 mazes to conquer, having a game plan can help you make the most of your night. Two new mazes join the 2026 lineup: Inked and Unearthed. In Inked, a forgotten 1930s cartoon studio becomes a living nightmare when a washed-up cartoonist discovers that blood can become ink and bring his creations to life. His attempt to create one final Halloween special unleashes a world of murderous cartoon characters. Unearthed takes guests to an excavation site where a search-and-rescue mission quickly turns into a fight for survival. After an ancient discovery awakens a forgotten evil, the expedition becomes anything but routine. Returning mazes include Mary – The Haunting of Worth Home, The Zoo, Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman, Widows, Room 13, Cinema Slasher, The Chilling Chambers and Origins: The Curse of Calico.

Feast on Scary Farm Eats
A night of screams calls for spooky bites, and Knott’s Scary Farm delivers with over-the-top eats, desserts and drinks. Try Zoo Tots, Stabbed Cheddar topped with cheese and Hot Cheetos, or Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken served in a sourdough bread bowl. For dessert, grab a Brownie Witch, Ghost Brownie or Black Chocolate and Raspberry Skull topped with white chocolate. Wash it all down with the infamous Blood Bags, including the new Ectoplasm Elixir, made with tequila, sweet and sour and pineapple flavor.

1 of 4

Experience the Scare Zones
The scares don’t stop when you leave a maze. Five scare zones take over the park, putting monsters directly in your path as you make your way between attractions. Wander through Ghost Town Streets, the original Scary Farm scare zone, or step into The Gore-ing ’20s, where sinister gangsters and ghostly revelers bring the era to life. Forsaken Lake unleashes gothic creatures from the dark waters beneath Silver Bullet, while The Gauntlet is filled with wicked wizards, brutal barbarians and maniacal jesters. Returning to the Boardwalk, CarnEVIL has been reimagined for 2026 with sinister clowns, eerie performers and sideshow horrors under the watchful eye of Mesmer.

Catch the New Shows
Take a break from the mazes and step into two new shows making their Scary Farm debut this year. At the Calico Mine Stage, Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge brings the world of Marie Laveau and Baron Samedi to life with music, dancing, flames and supernatural storytelling. Over at the Bird Cage Theatre, Occultum Curated by Magic Castle brings magicians from the world-famous Magic Castle to the stage for an evening of illusions, surprises and mystery. And for a dose of dark comedy, The Hanging – Noose Maxxxing returns to Wagon Camp with its signature mix of pop culture, laughs and mayhem.

Take a Ride on a Halloween Classic
The scares extend beyond the haunted mazes. Hop aboard the Timber Mountain Log Ride, which receives its seasonal Halloween Hootenanny overlay.

1 of 3

Plan Your Transportation
If you’re driving, plan ahead for parking and traffic around Beach Boulevard. Scary Farm admission does not include parking. One way to avoid the traffic is to stay at one of the many hotels on Beach Boulevard that are within walking distance to the park. The Knott’s Hotel itself offers several hotel packages that includes Scary Farm admission, hotel stay, and other offerings

Know the Rules Before You Go
A little preparation can help you get through the gates faster. Knott’s Scary Farm has a specific bag policy, allowing clear plastic bags smaller than 12” x 12” x 6” and non-clear wristlets or clutches no larger than 5” x 8” x 2”. All bags are subject to search before entry. A chaperone policy is also in effect. Guests ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to enter or remain in the park. Guests 16 and older may be asked to provide valid government-issued identification to verify their age. Scary Farm is not recommended for children under 13.

Make It a Halloween Getaway
Turn your Scary Farm visit into a full Buena Park getaway. Keep the scares going at the extreme haunted house, The 17th Door, where guests must sign a waiver before entering. For more spooky things to do, check out our full guide to Halloween Happenings in SoCal’s Halloween Spooky City.

Get to Know More About Buena Park, CA!

Guest room at DoubleTree by Hilton in Buena Park, CA

Explore Hotels

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

The Insider’s Guide to Knott’s Scary Farm

Get to Know More About Buena Park, CA!

Explore Hotels

Ticket Deals