We’re just a few days away from the end of 2021, and we figured it was time to head back to Knott’s Berry Farm for one final update of the year. We’ll take one more look at Merry Farm and see the recent operational changes in the park. Christmas festivities last until January 2nd at Knott’s, so it’s still in good taste to play some holiday music while heading to the home of the Boysenberry. So go ahead and press play on the Knott’s Berry Farm holiday playlist below and let’s get started.
Knott’s Merry Farm Update
Knott’s Merry Farm wraps up for the year this Sunday, January 2nd.
Gingerbread Lane
Knott’s is using a new flex space they call “Gingerbread Lane.” This area is located just south of Ghost Rider’s exit and might seem familiar if you frequent Scary Farm, as this area is used to access many of the event’s mazes.
In the Gingerbread Lane area, you can find picnic tables and standing firepits that are perfect to take a break away from the hustle and bustle of your park day.
Across from the tables, there are a couple of food booths, one for Sweets Treats and the other Beer and Cider. You can also find a small selection of merchandise in an adjacent booth as well.
There are also several stilt walkers, a photo wall, and many decorations scattered around the area.
At night, Gingerbread Lane is lit up as well.
Tinsel Top Club
Knott’s has lately been opening the door of the Boardwalk Dance Hall for an evening of Big Band music with the Tinsel Top Club. The band does three sets a night and is really fun to listen to.
Home For the Holidays Canceled
Knott’s last week made an announcement that due to staffing and technical challenges, their big nightly stage show “Home for the Holidays” was canceled for the remainder of the season. We’re beyond disappointed that this happened, especially since this is such a well-produced show, but we hope that it will return next Merry Farm season.
In an effort to fill the entertainment void that Home for the Holidays is leaving behind, Knott’s is moving their a cappella group, The Sleigh Bells, to the Calico Mine Stage for the last few dates of the holidays.
Holiday Fun
Even with one of Knott’s Headline acts down for the last few days of the season, there is still plenty of additional fun to be had around the Farm! Here are a few of our highlights:
A Peanuts Guide To Christmas
Merry Christmas Snoopy
A Christmas Carol
As a recommendation for all these shows, please arrive before showtime to ensure being able to get seats. For Merry Christmas Snoopy, it is now recommended to arrive an hour and a half to two hours before showtime and be willing to wait outside until thirty minutes before showtime as this show is extremely popular and Knott’s is limiting seating to less than half capacity of the theater.
2022 Season of Fun
Knott’s has released their roadmap of all the upcoming events in 2022. Here’s a look at what to expect in the coming year:
Peanuts Celebration
Kicking off in just a few weeks is Knott’s Peanuts Celebration, running daily from January 22nd through March 6th. The entire park is celebrating Charlie Brown and his Peanuts friends. Knott’s pulls out all of the stops with special Peanuts Shows, themed food offerings, and special decor; it one of the best ways to kick off the new year.
Boysenberry Festival
Knott’s Boysenberry Festival returns this upcoming year, running from March 18th through April 24th. Of course, Boysenberries are the star of the show, with many, many delicious Boysenberry-flavored eats at just about every food location around the park. Additionally, Knott’s adds a good mix of entertainment and merchandise offerings to keep you entertained between bites the entire day.
Summer Fun!
Knott’s Berry Farm always has a ton of fun lined up for the summer season. 2022 fun includes Soak City (operating May 28th through September 11th), Ghost Town Alive, and Summer Nights (both of which run May 20th through September 5th)
Scary Season
No one does Halloween like Knott’s and their two Halloween events will be returning for the 2022 season. First off, the main event, Knott’s Scary Farm, happens on select nights from September 22nd through October 31st. On the friendlier side, Knott’s Spooky Farm will run Saturdays and Sundays from October 1st through the 30th. With monsters running amuck ranging from Werewolves, to Zombies, to Beagles there is nowhere to hide in the fog.
Merry Farm
And now coming full circle, Knott’s Merry Farm will return next year from November 18th through January 1st, 2023. There is no place as merry as Knott’s Berry Farm with so much holiday cheer, we cannot wait for it to return all year.
2022 is already shaping up to be a great year.
Around the Farm
We have just a few notes from our last visit.
Xcelerator Repainted
Over the past couple of weeks, Knott’s has been repainting Xcelerator with a brand-new color scheme.
The original Intiman Xcelerator coaster now sports a much more vivid multicolor scheme featuring primarily red on most of the coaster with yellow and orange on helixes, along with black on the flat parts of the track.
Holiday Merger
During the past few weeks, we have seen Knott’s using a more Disney-like merge system on a few of their Fast Lane attractions, mainly Timber Mountain Log Ride and Beary Tales. At these two attractions, Fast Lane is not being sent through their usual entrances but instead are being merged into the regular queue while a park employee holds the standby queue further back. There doesn’t appear to be a ratio that queue is fed but more a visual check of how long the queue ahead appears to be.
Passholder Ornaments
Those lucky enough to get tickets for the Season Passholder Holiday Preview Night also received a voucher for the 2021 Season Passholder Ornament. The ornaments were unavailable at the party but can now be picked up at shops in the Market Place with the barcode provided with your Party Tickets until January 31st.
Photos Around the Farm
And to round out today’s trip to Knott’s, I’ll end with some favorite shots from my visit. I hope you enjoy them!
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Let’s Hear From You
That’s it for this romp around the Farm. As 2021 comes to a close, we hope you have a happy and healthy New Year! And we cannot wait for Peanuts Celebration to start in just a few weeks! How did you find Merry Farm this year? What is your favorite holiday down on at Knott’s? Are you looking forward to something in 2022? Let us know in the comments below.
