Knott’s Scary Farm is back with new thrills and chills for its 53rd season, unleashing 26 nights of Halloween tricks and treats from September 17 to October 31st. This year, the fog thickens with two all-new mazes, three shows, and a new scare zone that are sure to chill your bones. Single-night tickets start at $65 online, or $55 for Knott’s Berry Farm passholders, and the cheapest nights go first. Prepare yourself for another spine-tingling season at the original Halloween Haunt!
Below, we share a comprehensive guide to Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt 2026, where the creatures of the night lurk behind every corner. All the haunted mazes, scare zones, entertainment, food & merchandise you need to know about before you enter the fog…
Knott’s Scary Farm New Mazes, Shows, and Scare Zones For 2026
Every year, Knott’s unveils their plans for the Halloween Haunt at a special event called “Nightmares Revealed.” It’s a wonderful kickoff to the season and a great way to get buzz going on social media and fan sites like MiceChat.
Jeff Tucker was joined by a few guests, including the Boulet Brothers and the Green Witch. While the Boulet Brothers had a live podcast later in the evening, we’re surprised that the two spooky performers haven’t been more integrated into the Scary Farm lineup.
With this being the final season of Origins: The Curse of Calico, it was only fitting to have Sarah Marshall herself present the new mazes…
There are 10 mazes for the 2026 season of Scary Farm, including 2 new mazes, Inked and Unearthed. That’s ten doors to walk through in a single night, if your nerves hold out that long.
NEW — Inked
Frustrated with his failures, the former head of Morbid Studios, Mortimer Morbid, struggles to pen his final animated Halloween special. Trading blood for ink, he accidentally brings his characters to life and unwittingly unleashes a horde of murderous toons. A play on early 20th-century cartoons, Inked looks to make a lot of tongue-in-cheek references to the classic age of animation. We were treated to a riff on The Skeleton Dance on stage, although with a lot more stabbing.
Some of the costumes were on display, with a mix of dark mysterious blob monsters and bright cartoon characters.
NEW — Unearthed
Following a distress signal, journey into the heart of the excavation site to discover it ransacked by an ancient evil. Ancient tablets have awoken long-sleeping malevolent forces… Some of Unearthed’s costumes were on display at the event, with many battle-worn armors and lots of tattered rags.
It was interesting to see how many different processes are used for the props. These gauntlets are 3D-printed, but in the dark you only see the beautiful rusty paint jobs.
Meanwhile, some of the smaller jewelry was still being finished. These are made from hot glue forced into molds!
In addition to the new mazes, there are three new shows and a new, but familiar scare zone.
NEW — Occultum
Replacing Conjurers in the Bird Cage Theatre is a new magic act, this time curated by the infamous Magic Castle. The show promises dark magic, mind-bending illusions, and impossible sleight-of-hand. We chatted with magician Rudy Coby, who is returning, as he did a show right here at Knott’s Scary Farm many years ago!
NEW — Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge
One of history’s most famous voodoo queens, Marie Laveau, takes over the Calico Mine Stage. She promises to guide you past the gate into the court of Baron Samedi, Lwa of the dead.
NEW — The Hanging: Noose Maxxxing
The wild, raunchy, and sidesplitting spectacle of “The Hanging” is back, with a new tagline that’s sure to “piss everyone off,” as Jeff Tucker put it. This year’s show, “Noose Maxxxing,” promises a relentless barrage of irreverent pop-culture satire and high-octane action, although Tucker is apparently “too old” to know what it means.
NEW — CarnEvil
Following Mesmer’s maze closure at the end of the haunt season last year, the hypnotist has moved his sideshow onto the main stage of the Boardwalk. A new twist on the classic scare zone— what will Mesmer’s freaks have in store?
Knott’s Scary Farm Returning Mazes For 2026
Eight mazes claw their way back out of the dirt this year, and two of them won’t be crawling back out again after October.
Mary – The Haunting of Worth Home
Tragedy follows Mary— Bloody Mary, as she’s colloquially known. Following her family’s mysterious death, Mary was violently murdered and buried alive by jealous townsfolk. Speaking her name three times— Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary— summons her from the grave to aimlessly search for her family.
In the decades after Mary’s murder, her home has since become a Group Home for wayward teens. Hearing her name spoken, she follows, believing she has found her long-lost family.
Instead, she becomes enraged after finding her house inhabited by a group of teens.
While Mary – The Haunting of Worth Home feels like a return to the archetypal haunted house, this is the definitive modern version. The maze is filled with devious little details that tell both Mary’s story and those who now live here.
Magic mirrors are a motif throughout; Mary is rarely far behind when you find one.
The Knott’s team really outdid themselves with just how much variety is present in this maze. It winds all around the house, the backyard, the greenhouse— each environment different from the last.
As you pass through the assortment of areas, Mary’s power grows into a crescendo of terror. She’s really not happy that you’re in her house, and the mirrors are not going to hold her back.
This is an absolutely gorgeous, can’t-miss maze of classic macabre nightmare-fuel. Jon and the Knott’s team have created a story worthy of the urban myth that it takes direct inspiration from. We’re sure you’ll be running screaming bloody mary…
Check out our teaser:
The Zoo
Secret government experimentation has turned the once exotic zoo into a terrifying laboratory of animal/human hybrids. The creatures have turned on their creators, taking over the compound and exacting their bloodthirsty revenge.
This is a monster maze. While Mary’s environments were varied, the focus here is on the dizzying assortment of demented hybrid creatures. What sort of wacko scientists would create such grisly abominations?
In standard Daniel Miller fashion, there’s blood, there’s gore, there are body parts in places they really don’t belong, and there are nightmarish monsters that look like they belong in a John Carpenter movie. If you’re sad that the body horror of Wax Works retired last year, you won’t be disappointed in The Zoo.
The maze often feels like a grotesque representation of its title. It’s a zoo, with distinct areas for different animals. Two that are especially intriguing in their peculiar displays are the Aviary and the Aquarium.
The Zoo is a can’t-miss freak show that pushes the envelope for what makes Knott’s Scary Farm so truly special— the scare actors. It’s exquisite in its twisted presentation of sci-fi body horror in a way that we’re sure will keep you coming back for more… particularly because it’s a two-for-one! After 11pm, the monsters chew through the power cables and plunge the entire facility into darkness, necessitating a provided flashlight to light your way.
Check out our teaser, which includes a look at both the evening lighting and the lights-out variant:
Widows
Designed by the master of gore, Daniel Miller, Widows immerses you in a world where black widows have infested a convalescent home and the decaying bodies of the elderly residents. Don’t let them find you—avoid becoming their mate, or you’ll become the vessel for their evil brood. Can you avoid being bitten and trapped in the nest of widows? Creepy!
Widows is a prime example of how the creative team at Knott’s can take a seemingly absurd premise—giant spiders possessing elderly women—and turn it into something unexpectedly chilling. The maze is an unnervingly eerie experience, filled with sweet old ladies who are just so happy you came to visit.
The pacing and progression of the story are masterfully executed. What begins as an unsettling stroll through the nursing home’s halls gradually descends into the heart of the spider’s lair. Along the way, you’re treated to ominous vignettes, hinting that these spiders are doing far more than merely inhabiting the elderly…
Check out our deep dive into the spider’s lair of Widows:
Explore the Spider’s Lair: The Dark Secrets of Knott’s Widows!
During Nightmares Revealed, we also had a chance to take a lights-on tour:
Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman
Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman is an original concept by Gus Krueger set in an 18th-century idyllic colonial town where an unimaginable horror waits for your slumber to feast…on you. The evil being has a sick propensity for fingers, and his bite, causing sleep paralysis, leaves you vulnerable to this bucolic boogeyman, so ‘Beware the dark!’
The boogeyman is a timeless cautionary tale told to children to discourage bad behavior, existing in various forms throughout history. Eight Fingers Nine taps into these age-old fears with its masterful use of nightmare-inducing imagery and eerily poetic narration.
Even when he isn’t physically present, Eight Fingers Nine seems to haunt every room. Many scenes evoke the sensation of stepping into a living nightmare—like entering a terrifying sleep paralysis episode—filled with horrific imagery that lingers long after you’ve left.
What begins as a descent into nightmares gradually shifts into a dark fantasy— this haunted house is rich with unexpected twists and layers.
Venture into your darkest nightmares with our deep dive into Eight Fingers Nine:
The Secrets Behind Knott’s Twisted Fairytale: Eight Fingers Nine
Cinema Slasher
Enter the mystical Midnight Theater, venture into the silver screen, and become the cast of a trilogy of horror films in Cinema Slasher. This maze is not only an homage to classic slasher horror films, but also three former Scary Farm mazes: Slaughterhouse, Trick or Treat, and Camp Gonnagetcha. It’s thrilling to see so much Scary Farm history presented in exciting new ways.
Let’s all go to the lobby… and buy ourselves a snack…
Just watch out for not only the slasher, but also other monsters like fan-favorite Stabby, the killer popcorn bucket. He’s so popular that he’s now adorning a whole merchandise line.
Check out our teaser:
Room 13
A mysterious beverage, the Devil’s Elixir, has taken over the Prohibition-era Memory Lane. Violent murders at the local speakeasy, the Blind Tiger, have put the green drink into the spotlight. This maze is a direct tie-in to the popular Gore-ing 20’s scare zone that’s taken over Memory Lane for the last few years.
Where did this dreadful green aperitif come from? Why does it turn those who partake into hideous creatures? Find your way through the extravagant Argile Hotel, where the answer lies inside Room 13.
Check out our short video for a quick taste of the Devil’s Elixir:
During Nightmares Revealed, we had the chance to see Room 13 with the lights on:
Making their final fright at Knott’s Scary Farm are The Chilling Chambers and Origins: The Curse of Calico. Be sure to pay your final respects to these two beloved ghastly beauties.
FINAL YEAR — The Chilling Chambers
Inside a towering cathedral, The Keeper maintains chambers of familiar horrors of Scary Farm’s past. Enter the keyhole portals, transporting you to each chamber filled to bursting with 50+ years of nostalgia. It’s a conservatory where Scary Farm mazes go to die… and now, live again!
The Chilling Chambers features four former mazes: The Asylum, Doll Factory, The Underground, and Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns, all wrapped up in a neat package and delivered by way of keyhole portals.
Departing mazes have a tendency to resurface in The Chilling Chambers.
During Nightmares Revealed, we had a chance to visit The Chilling Chambers with the lights on. We already recognized this as one of the most detailed mazes Knott’s has ever created, but it truly is incredibly packed with Halloween Haunt history. Here’s a gallery of some highlights from the lights-on tour:
They could potentially keep and update the Keeper’s crypt forever… and we hope they do! Take a look at our teaser:
FINAL YEAR — Origins: The Curse of Calico
Put on trial for her evil witchcraft, Sarah Marshall seeks to curse all those who accused her. Origins seeks to tie the mythology of Ghost Town and Scary Farm together, including Ghost Town Streets, The Hanging, Grimoire, and 2021’s Invitation to Terror. It all culminates into a cohesive story that begins with the Green Witch and her cursed book, the Grimoire.
During Nightmares Revealed, we had a chance to check out Origins: The Curse of Calico with the LIGHTS ON. It’s another one that is filled with details that are easily missed in the dark. Enjoy this full gallery of the experience:
Origins is now the oldest maze in the Scary Farm lineup, even outlasting its follow-up, The Grimoire. Its iconic status has made it integral to the Scary Farm storyline and remains one of our all-time favorites.
Knott’s Scary Farm Scare Zones
The Haunted Houses get all of the attention, but the scares spill out into the streets and dark corners of Knott’s Halloween Haunt as the “Scare Zones” provide the ambiance that makes Knott’s Scary Farm truly unique. The fog does half the work here, and the things moving around inside it do the rest.
The Gauntlet
A reimagined version of a classic fan favorite, this scare zone loosely ties into the gothic motif of the nearby Chilling Chambers maze. The Gauntlet returns the King and Queen of the realm, as well as a cast of maniacal jesters, brutal barbarians, wicked wizards, and lawless peasants with an enthusiasm for terror.
Ghost Town Streets
The original scare zone returns to terrify all those who enter the fog-shrouded Ghost Town. Cursed by the Green Witch, bands of tortured and monstrous beings roam the evil fog of Calico, seeking their next victims. Beware the notoriously startling Sliders who lunge from every fog-filled corner of the land. This is a nightmare we hope never ends.
While the entire Haunt belongs to the Green Witch, she has a particular soft spot for terrorizing the monsters around Ghost Town Streets.
Ghost Town Streets and Knott’s Scary Farm’s history are intertwined and inseparable. For a deep dive into the terrifying story, check out our Ghost Town Streets article:
The Original Fright: The Legacy of Ghost Town Streets at Knott’s Scary Farm
Forsaken Lake
Dredged from beneath Reflection Lake, gothic creatures emerge from the dark and murky waters to prey on unsuspecting visitors. This scare zone is unique due to its impromptu funeral procession march. We recommend grabbing some food from the revived Fiesta Village and taking time to enjoy it in Forsaken Lake to soak up the ambiance and performances.
Gore-ing 20’s
Take a trip back in time to the bloody streets of Prohibition-era Memory Lane. The Gore-ing 20’s fill the street with those with a drink in hand versus the protestors against the Devil’s Elixir. This scare zone is less scary and more atmospheric, complete with a live band and dancing on the second level of the Walter Knott Theater.
This is a really photogenic scare zone…
Knott’s Scary Farm Entertainment
What?! The haunted houses and scare zones aren’t enough for you? Well, never fear (or do) because Knott’s packs its stages with unique Scary Farm entertainment as well. All three of this year’s shows are brand new, and we covered them up above: Occultum in the Bird Cage Theatre, Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge on the Calico Mine Stage, and The Hanging: Noose Maxxxing.
Knott’s Scary Farm Attraction Overlays
A couple of the daytime rides catch whatever it is that’s going around, and they don’t get better until November.
Calico Candy Mountain Mine Ride
A saccharine-sweet ride through the Calico Candy Mountain turns sinister during Scary Farm. During the last few years, the attraction has had a candy theme by day, and a more wicked version at night. Check out what the Pink Fairy really has going on in the mine:
Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny
The kooky monsters of Timber Mountain have come together for a quirky Halloween Hootenanny. Jam out to the Krazy Kirk and Hillbillies soundtrack and see just what the monsters have planned.
Knott’s Scary Farm Merchandise/Legacy Haunt Store & Museum
Nestled into the California Marketplace outside the park, Knott’s has returned the huge Legacy Haunt Store and Museum (where the Emporium normally resides). The space is filled with homages to previous Scary Farm mazes in an experience that you don’t need a ticket to the Haunt to experience.
Knott’s, of course, has a completely new lineup of merchandise, so you can smuggle a little piece of the haunt home with you. Looks like a focus on cute, cuddly, and plushie items this year.
I mean, just look at these cute little bat slippers to keep you warm during those frightful fall evenings.
The clear Loungefly bag returns this year; a very helpful addition considering the strict bag policy. Stabby, the late addition breakout hit of Cinema Slasher, is once again a fan favorite…and he’s also cute and plushie!
The interactive lanterns continue to be upgraded. This year, there’s a companion shoulder skull that interacts with the lantern.
Of course, the classic Spirit Jersey is always a big seller as well.
Check out our full article (with video!) of the shop from previous years:
Knott’s Scary Farm 50th Anniversary: Legacy Haunt Store & Museum!
Knott’s Scary Farm Food
While the monsters may find you tasty, there’s always something tasty to find around Knott’s Berry Farm’s various restaurants. Here are a few that caught our eye.
Here’s a gallery of all the food coming to Knott’s for the Halloween season:
Reminder: Scary Farm Chaperone, Bag, and Filming Policy
Knott’s Berry Farm has implemented a strict chaperone policy in an attempt to curb unruly behavior.
- Guests aged 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone of at least 21 years old (after 4 pm).
- Chaperones must have a valid government-issued photo ID.
- 1 chaperone may accompany no more than 10 guests.
- Chaperones must accompany their party during the entire length of the visit.
- Guests aged 15 years old or younger will not be admitted without a chaperone. Any found without one will be subject to ejection.
Unaccompanied guests under 15 will be turned away.
In addition, Scary Farm is bringing back the strict bag policy, but allows transparent bags of a certain size. Here are the size limits:
- Clear plastic bags – 12” x 12” x 6”
- Non-clear wristlets or clutches – 5”x 8”x 2”
Make sure you pay attention to the rules so you don’t have to make the long walk of shame back to the car to stow your bag! Additionally, Knott’s announced a no-filming policy inside the mazes. Monsters typically aren’t allowed to pose for photos in the scare zones, either.
Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-Fet
Each Scary Farm event night, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant offers a special buffet dinner attended by monsters! Along with a hearty meal, you’ll receive a 2026 souvenir bottle and a digital download of your photo with one of the ghoulish characters. After dinner, enjoy early access to select areas of Scary Farm, including the two brand-new mazes! The Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet starts at $49, with separate Scary Farm admission required.
The Midnight Breakfast Buffet is also returning. It’s a great way to cap off the evening with some delicious breakfast food—for only $25!
Knott’s Scary Farm Season Pass
With how much there is to see, the Knott’s Scary Farm season pass may be a good value for you. Scary Farm Season Passes are $155 for Knott’s Berry Farm passholders and $164 for standalone passes. At $65 a night for single-night tickets, the pass pays for itself on your third visit. Knott’s may increase the price at the start of the season. They’re in limited quantity, so get yours before they sell out!
Let’s Hear From You
We’d love to hear what you think of this year’s lineup for Knott’s Scary Farm’s 53rd season. Lots of new this year. Which are you most excited about: the mazes, the shows, or a new twist on a scare zone? How does Knott’s Scary Farm compare to other theme park Halloween offerings? Share your thoughts with us below.
See you in the fog…
Bring on the fog! Eric and I were at Nightmares Revealed and had a great time. love the way they tease the event and also open experiences for guests to explore, as well as have the monsters out in Ghost Town streets. The perfect taste of Halloween.
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Once again, no stage show inside the Walter Knott Theatre. A prime opportunity for KSF and the powers that be to create something spooky and fun with live singers and dancers. I just don’t get it. What a loss, and a total disappointment, as well. FAIL!!