Knott’s Merry Farm holds a special place in our hearts. The down-home version of a theme park holiday is the very stuff that Christmas is made of. Join us as we take a look at the delicious food, festive entertainment, unique holiday shopping, and jolly decor of Knotts-mas 2022.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year down on the farm, so grab a cup of cider, and let’s take a sleigh ride together through the holiday hits of Knott’s Merry Farm.
Knott’s Merry Farm Guide
Knott’s has created a handy guide for finding all the food, entertainment, and shopping for Merry Farm. We’ll be referencing it, so keep it handy or download the PDF via Knott’s website.
Knott’s Merry Farm Entertainment
There are three wonderful new shows to get excited about this year at Knott’s Merry Farm. I’ve put together a video teaser to give you a taste. It’s a great way to get the general idea of the look and feel of Knott’s Merry Farm.
NEW ICE SHOW: Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas at Knott’s Merry Farm
This is the 40th year of Knott’s holiday ice shows, and it’s receiving a big upgrade this season with “Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas.” This version of the ice show is a retelling of the classic poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas.”
For the most part, this is still the same kind of Snoopy on Ice show we’ve come to know and love, but with a much-improved set, new songs, and stunts.
Many of the physical sets that had to be rolled onto the ice in previous seasons have been replaced by a fancy new set. The gorgeous new digital elements of the set do a lot of heavy lifting and the benefits are shown in the breakneck pace of this new show. With how quickly scenes can change between automated parts and the digital elements, there’s less pausing of the show while new set pieces roll in.
With that pace, it almost feels like you get more show. This also enables the increased focus on fancy new stunts to shine through, like the addition of three aerial acrobatic segments.
The new digital set also allows for several pre-recorded segments with the Peanuts characters to play before and during the show. It works because the screens are so sharp and these digital-only sections are used so sparingly.
It seems that Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas is intending to modernize the show, but still include what made Snoopy on Ice popular in the first place. The previous incarnations had a mix of classic and modern Christmas music; this show carries on the tradition with sections like this hop-hop-inspired one.
Yet, Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas also takes time for long-running traditions, like Linus’ Bible verse reciting (which still receives thunderous applause).
That balance of tradition and newness is what makes Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas shine. Just like the previous 40 years of Snoopy on Ice, this charming new show remains one of the best theme park shows around and is worth coming out to Knott’s to see.
We invite you to scroll through this beautiful gallery of photos from the show:
NEW PEANUTS SHOW: Best Wishes
This year, Lucy has realized the true meaning of Christmas. She spreads the word in this new show at the Camp Snoopy Theater, Best Wishes.
Coming back from a visit with Santa, Lucy finds a family outside the mall holding a sign reading “hungry.” She swears to spend Christmas not being greedy but helping the needy. Enlisting the help of the rest of the Peanuts gang, Lucy gathers up what they can (with permission from their parents) to help those with less.
It’s a cute show with a great message that everyone can appreciate. It’s also a topic that’s tough to execute in a kid’s show. Things have to be laid out pretty plainly for kids to understand. That’s why there are bits of odd dialogue like asking for parents’ permission. The Peanuts gang also decorates their neighborhood to spread the “Christmas spirit,” but never actually delivers their donations to anyone. Lucy does tell the audience that the ushers have a list of charitable organizations to donate to.
The previous fan-favorite show, A Peanuts’ Guide to Christmas suited the Peanuts gang well with plenty of silly hijinks and catchy music. Yet, many of those hijinks were about receiving gifts. Best Wishes probably isn’t what you’d expect from a Peanuts show. It’s much more serious, has few jokes, and is more educational. Regardless, giving is better than receiving and Best Wishes will hopefully be inspirational to all the children visiting Camp Snoopy. It’s also a subtle way for parents to teach their children one of the fundamental lessons of the season without having to say a word.
NEW SHOW: The Gift of the Magi 1885
Over at the Birdcage Theater, Knott’s is hosting two melodramas for the holidays, A Christmas Carol and The Gift of the Magi, 1885. A Christmas Carol is the classic Charles Dickens story that has been offered for years at Knotts.
But there’s a new show as well this season. Just like last year’s “Marley’s Wings,” “The Gift of the Magi, 1885” is intended to be the Knott’s version of a classic Christmas story. It seems that with the switch to this new show, Knott’s is continuing to have one serious show and one that’s more “Knott’s.” The Gift of the Magi, 1885 is the latter.
Despite this, The Gift of the Magi, 1885 is less kooky than Marley’s Wings, putting it squarely in the middle between that and A Christmas Carol.
This is the classic Gift of the Magi story we all know and love, just with a different setting: Calico 1885. Instead of a watch, it’s two revolvers that the husband sells. Instead of buying a chain for his watch, the wife sells her hair and buys a holster from Potts and Colter (the two adventurers from Calico River Rapids). All the changes are indeed references like that.
And of course, the ending is still the irony that both sold their prized possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts. Familiar, but still quintessentially Knott’s.
This clever switch to a Calico version of the show is just enough to freshen up the age-old tale that Knott’s has done for years. It’s wonderful that Knott’s has continued to carry on this tradition of classic melodramas.
Both melodramas rotate throughout the day; make sure to check the times for both shows.
Calico Tree Lighting at Knott’s Merry Farm
Absent last year, the Calico Tree Lighting has returned again. Unfortunately, the cute ceremony where a child is chosen to light the tree for the evening is now gone. Instead, a quick synchronized lighting sequence is played around Ghost Town and the lights turn on for the evening.
FAVORITE: Knott’s Merry Farm Home for the Holidays
One of the most elaborate holiday theme park shows we’ve ever seen, Home for the Holidays, returns again this year. The story follows the Harper family as they put on a good old-fashioned Christmas spectacular.
Full of down-home classic Christmas spirit, this one-of-a-kind show still continues to amaze us with its scope and grandeur. Even in its third year, Home for the Holidays still feels fresh with its incredible set design, catchy age-old songs, and wonderful performances.
Make sure to stop by one of the two showings each night to see this charming show. Our team watched Home for the Holidays and Snoopy’s A Night Before Christmas shows twice — we just loved them that much.
Here’s a full gallery of photos from Home for the Holidays:
Knott’s Merry Farm Snow and Glow Show
Snow? In Southern California?
Snow and Glow brings a white Christmas every hour after dark with snow and synchronized lights and music.
We’re always amazed at how much snow gets pumped out for Snow and Glow. It’s a true snowfall— many guests leave absolutely covered in the artificial snow! Press play and enjoy the snow storm…
Knott’s Merry Farm Musical Acts
In addition to shows, Knott’s has quite a few musical acts around the park to ring in the holiday cheer.
Christmas Clatter – Disguised as Knott’s employees, two drummers are “setting up Christmas” while drumming on all their equipment.
Calico Carolers – A venerable mainstay, the Calico Carolers sing holiday classics around Ghost Town.
Sleigh Bells – The wonderful a cappella group returns to the Calico Park Stage, filling the heart of Knott’s with holiday cheer.
Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies – The park favorites are playing bluegrass versions of your holiday favorites like “Blue Christmas” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
Rockin’ Reindeer – Mixing surf with holiday music, Rockin’ Reindeer is yet another rearrangement of the great band at the Boardwalk BBQ.
Calico Saloon Show – Miss Cameo Kate adds a little yuletide celebration to the Calico Saloon show this time of year.
Tinsel Top Club – The Boardwalk Ballroom is now home to a jolly swing club (this is advertised on the website, but not at the ballroom itself)
Knott’s Merry Farm Food
Knott’s has once again evolved their Merry Farm food offerings. This year, they’ve added Gingerbread Lane, an extension of Ghost Town. This area may seem familiar since it’s used for the Scary Farm mazes and was recently used as Boysenberry Lane during the Boysenberry Festival. It’s also listed as “Gold Mine Trail” on some documentation.
This is a nice out-of-the-way location to enjoy some of the great food, adorable decorations, shopping, photo ops, and Christmas Whittles.
The booth here is serving the fan-favorite turkey bites (you can also buy them at Santa’s Christmas Cabin) and the strangely tasty Mistletoe Meatloaf Footlong Hot Dog.
The park is otherwise filled with locations serving quite a variety of Merry Farm foods, many of which are on the dining plan. The Knott’s team has helpfully labeled those items with an asterisk on the guide above, which makes it rather easy to pick out some potential choices.
Santa’s Christmas Cabin has some of the best-looking food around. We’ll definitely be making a return trip to try some waffles, they were a favorite last year. Oh, and yes, Santa Claus is also here.
For the foodies out there, here’s a gallery of the Merry Farm food items:
Knott’s also included a guide for those with allergies or dietary restrictions:
Knott’s Merry Farm Merchandise
Cinnamon seems to be the theme this year for Knott’s edible merchandise. Unfortunately, we could not find our favorite Christmas Jam from previous years. We asked about it and none of the staff seemed to know if it would be offered this year or not.
Of course, Knott’s also has plenty of other Merry Farm merchandise to check out, a lot of which is winterwear-inspired. Here’s a full gallery of merch:
But the shopping miracle of Knott’s Merry Farm are the vendor craft booths scattered throughout Ghost Town. Support local artisans and crafters and pick up some homespun and unique items this Christmas at Knott’s Merry Farm Christmas Crafts Village.
The Spirit of Christmas at Knott’s Merry Farm
And everywhere you go, it feels like an authentic nostalgic Christmastime.
No need to make reservations, or use an app to schedule meals, rides, or shows. Just wander around and take in the holiday spirit.
Don’t miss Camp Snoopy after dark. It’s a winter wonderland of colorful lights. Stunningly beautiful.
Knott’s Merry Farm LIVE With Dusty Sage
Now, let’s take a walk with Dusty as he shows us how easy and carefree a holiday stroll through Knott’s Merry Farm can be.
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Let’s Hear From You
Knott’s Merry Farm is such a joy to visit. Opening day was not overly crowded. It’s a carefree experience. Wander, enjoy the food and shows, and shop in the vendor booths. Magic. Not only do they have two of the best theme park shows anywhere, but Knott’s has also polished the experience to a shine. It’s the classic Christmas theme park experience with a few modern upgrades and certainly deserves a visit this holiday season. Let’s hear from you, what do you think of the new shows? Will you visit Knott’s Merry Farm this season? Do you enjoy the vibe of Knott’s old-fashioned Christmastime? Let us know in the comments below.
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