When we think of Halloween, we often think of kids dressing up in costume to go trick-or-treating. Yet, for 50 years now, Knott’s Scary Farm has been terrifying people young and old— anyone who dares enter the fog. It’s always been a celebration of the more grown-up side of Halloween, filled with grotesque monsters, violence, and risqué humor. With Scary Farm’s 50th Anniversary, Knott’s has pulled out all the stops for live entertainment— but definitely not for kids.
For added fun, I’ve included a few photos I shot on 35mm film, which may excite feelings of nostalgia for that original Halloween Haunt in 1973. Let’s take a look at four of the most hilariously horrifying shows to ever emerge from the Scary Farm fog.
Knott’s Scary Farm 50th Anniversary Entertainment
Music, Monsters & Mayhem
Celebrate 50 years of Scary Farm in this Vegas-style musical revue! Inside the Walter Knott Theater, various scenes from throughout Scary Farm history come alive while popular hosts returned from the dead (well… not all of them are dead).
This nearly 45-minute show is jam-packed with production value. One part horror musical, another part rowdy satirical comedy show, Music, Monsters, and Mayhem is the sleeper hit of Scary Farm 50.
Musical acts are broken up into some of Scary Farm’s most popular horror concepts: Ghost Town, serial killers, toys, voodoo, and a cheeky ending in Hell! Each set is gorgeously designed, utilizing the theater’s recent installation of hybrid digital and physical set design.
In between each act, the host is ceremoniously sacrificed by the Green Witch, only to be brought back to life as another familiar host from Scary Farm’s past. This includes the original Seymour, The Master of the Macabre, Wolfman Jack, Dr. Cleaver (who ironically is also performing in the Bird Cage Theater in “Dr. Cleaver Returns”), and finally, ELVIRA!
Even the host himself has been a big part of Scary Farm history, as evidenced by the slideshow gag that was added to the show.
KC Gussler was the show director for Music, Monsters, and Mayhem, but he’s also directed quite a few of our favorite Knott’s Berry Farm shows. That includes the incredible final Elvira, Mistress of the Dark show in 2017. Check out our interview with KC:
You may find quite a lot of DNA between Elvira and Music, Monsters, and Mayhem— they’re quite similar indeed. KC described this new show as a “sexy music revue,” something he obviously already knew how to do.
Even the water curtain is running again.
Knott’s two biggest shows this year— Music, Monsters, and Mayhem and The Hanging: Uncancelled— are purposefully over the top. Knott’s warns guests that these shows aren’t for kids. In fact, all of Knott’s Scary Farm is made for adults and not kids. Since the early days of Knott’s big Halloween shows, they have always leaned into raunchy and/or violent themes. But that doesn’t stop people from bringing their children anyway. So, be prepared for some parental ridicule from the show’s host if he sees your kids in the audience. The host will even point out wayward parents with the jab, “And me without a parent of the year award.”
The Burlesque in Hell finale sequence has gone viral this year with guests either loving or hating it. Most of the complaints are by those who don’t want to see adults have a good time if it’s not also appropriate for kids. But it’s no more sexy or suggestive than the productions that Knott’s has been producing for decades. That’s what made Elvira, and Knott’s Scary Farm, infamous.
Warning in the front row… you might get wet…
There are plenty of complaints online from people who haven’t even been to the Haunt, and whom Haunt isn’t intended for anyway. We’d like to remind them… This is a show for grown-ups and only those adults who aren’t overly sensitive. The show listing states “This show is for mature audiences and not intended for young audiences.” A similar warning is also given on signs leading into the theater as well as an announcement before showtime. As a reminder, the entire event isn’t recommended for anyone under 13, either. If you don’t like it… DON’T GO! Stop trying to ruin the fun for the folks who do enjoy a night out without kids. Take the little ones to Knott’s Spooky Farm, which runs Thursdays-Sundays during the day and has family-friendly shows like the Bob Baker Marionette show:
Music, Monsters, and Mayhem is performed three times a night with performances varying depending on the day. The entrance is obscured a bit in the middle of the Gore-ing 20’s scare zone, underneath the Walter Knott Theater queue. The normal theater ramp is a queue for a maze this year, so be sure to ask for the theater entry if you can’t find it. Check the Knott’s Berry Farm app for showtimes (and don’t forget to change the date to the following day for any performances after midnight). As long as you aren’t the overly sensitive type, this is a show not-to-be-missed!
The Hanging: Uncancelled
Crawling out from Scary Farm’s forgotten graveyard, the filthiest, dirtiest, and most depraved show from throughout Knott’s history returns for the 50th year of Haunt. The Hanging: Uncancelled digs up its cast from their resting place among canceled experiences to round up the vilest offender of the past year and hang them by the neck until they are dead!
This revival rendition of The Hanging essentially picks up where the show left off after it was canceled in 2019. That means it’s the quintessential Hanging show, but also not a major departure from the classic formula.
Yet the Hanging: Uncancelled also revives the story-driven 2019 version. In between various lampoons of just about everything— there are quite a lot of jokes about whiners, complainers, being offended, and a general lack of sense of humor— the show is structured around chasing “the Evil One.”
Unsurprisingly, The Hanging: Uncancelled also spends much of its parody moments referencing itself and the 50 years of history it has to draw from. It’s definitely an easy way to massage the overall tastelessness that created the complaints that got the show canceled in the past.
Of course, the Hanging isn’t complete with parodies of current pop culture like adult subscription websites, influencers like Mr. Beast, Karens, and current events like the writers’ and actors’ strikes— all of which are absolutely filthy and filled with violence. This is a show for grown-ups for a reason.
The writers also can’t help but make fun of the other SoCal theme parks.
Of course, Disneyland’s Fantasmic Dragon is lampooned.
Ultimately, the Hangman has his hands full in picking the right person to hang, but I think the audience knows who the writers of The Hanging: Uncancelled dislike the most.
Surprisingly, the satirical Knott’s private security team has become popular with the audience. Never thought I’d hear the audience cheer for a metal detector wanding.
The Hanging: Uncancelled is performed three times a night with performances varying depending on the day. Check the Knott’s Berry Farm app for showtimes (and don’t forget to change the date to the following day for any performances after midnight). Also, make sure to show up 30-45 minutes before the show because it does fill up! Additionally, there are a handful of seats that aren’t a good view and the Knott’s team hasn’t been filling them (so don’t sit in the very front row).
Dr. Cleaver Returns
A Scary Farm classic returns to the Bird Cage Theater this year, filled with the kind of campy charm we’ve come to expect. Dr. Cleaver has quite the legacy with Scary Farm, so it’s delightful to see the character return to the stage.
This is also yet another show not suitable for the younger crowd as there are plenty of spicy jokes.
I’ve come to love this show, which simultaneously balances a classic crazed doctor and modern jokes with snappy execution. The team has also left room for the cast to improvise based on the audience as well as a nifty interactive lantern effect. For example, every time Dr. Cleaver does the running gag “THE SPEEEEELLLLL,” the lanterns join in with the on-stage green strobing.
Dr. Cleaver Returns also has a nifty magic show act where one cast member sits in a box while penetrated with swords and the like.
Dr. Cleaver Returns also has a clever set of alternate endings, depending on which showing you visit, where the doctor and Wolfgang are sent to a Halloween event at a different theme park around SoCal.
Dr. Cleaver Returns is performed four times a night with performances varying depending on the day. Unlike the previous two shows, this one is much shorter (about 15 minutes) and less difficult to find seating for! Check the Knott’s Berry Farm app for showtimes (and don’t forget to change the date to the following day for any performances after midnight).
Le Magnifique Carnaval Du Grotesque
The only returning show this year, Le Magnifique Carnaval Du Grotesque promises to once again astound you with intense, death-defying stunts! Between choreographed dance sequences from the Carnies of the Crypt, the acts this year include an aerial acrobat, a fire performer, and a dangerous gyre performer!
In addition, there’s a light side story with the carnival’s very lovable old clown.
These are professional circus acts, all of which are quite dangerous (and equally fun to watch).
Ultimately, the gyre performer gets a lot of attention due to just how precarious his act is. Next to the stage is a huge wheel he’s running, jumping, and climbing on!
Le Magnifique Carnaval Du Grotesque is performed three times a night with performances varying depending on the day. Check the Knott’s Berry Farm app for showtimes.
Let’s Hear From You
The Knott’s Scary Farm entertainment this year has been nothing short of incredible. They’ve pulled off four of the best shows we’ve ever seen, each of which is plenty worth going to see multiple times if possible. That’s especially true with how much the cast of each is allowed to improvise new jokes. If you haven’t been out to Scary Farm this year and checked out the new shows for the 50th anniversary, there’s still time left!
Have you visited the 50th season of Knott’s Scary Farm? Which show do you think is the best? Let us know in the comments below.
And for our coverage of the incredible mazes and scare zones, don’t miss this…
https://www.micechat.com/365380-knotts-scary-farm-guide-2023/