The scariest time of year has suddenly become the merriest at Knott’s Berry Farm. Yes, all of the monsters have gone home for the season and now Santa’s elves are getting everything ready for a fun-filled Christmas time hoedown with all of the trimmings. Today we fill you in on all the work that is being done to get ready for Christmas at Knott’s along with what is planned for Thanksgiving. Then, of course, we have the usual pictures from around the resort including the refurbishment of Bigfoot Rapids and the removal of some trees near the Timber Mountain Log Ride. Another burning question is this; What are they doing up in the old Kingdom of the Dinosaurs spot? We bring you the pics here. Let’s get started.
Christmas
Knott’s Berry Farm transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm on November 22nd and rings in a whole new year of cheer. In what we feel is the perfect counterpart to the glitzy, polished version of the holidays down the 5 freeway, Knott’s offers real down home charm for the holiday season. There really isn’t anything else like strolling Ghost Town, smelling the delicious food, and looking at all of the homemade crafts.
This year they are adding another little bit of holiday magic that is sure to melt the frostiest heart.
When the sun sets on the Farm, the buildings and paths in Ghost Town’s Main Street will be filled with glow and snow! Thousands of sparkling lights will dance to the beat of familiar holiday music while snow gently falls in this spectacular one-of-a-kind moment each night.
That’s right, snow in Ghost Town. This will be wonderful. We are a little concerned about the music and sparkling lights though. We really hope they keep the Christmas music more or less themed for the period and don’t just pump in upbeat modern songs. Let Ghost Town be Ghost Town.
Merry Christmas Snoopy!
There will also be a brand new ice show at the Charles Schultz Theatre this year. These shows are another staple that simply cannot be missed at Knott’s during the holidays. The new show is called Merry Christmas Snoopy!
No visit to Knott’s Merry Farm is complete without catching a performance by the world famous beagle, Snoopy as he performs a brand new ice spectacular, Merry Christmas, Snoopy! inside of the 2,100 Charles M. Schulz Theatre. In this exciting new show filled with whimsy and spectacular skating, Snoopy enjoys all of the best parts of the season, including trimming the Christmas tree, awaiting Santa’s arrival, and attending the festive Christmas Ball!
Christmas on Engine 41
One of our favorite additions from last year returns for another go ’round the tracks. Christmas on Engine 41 turns the ride on the Calico Railroad through Ghost Town into a lovely interactive holiday treat. Citizens on their way to Ghost Town for Christmas involve fellow passengers by sharing stories of heading home for the holidays. It’s clever, simple, and charming.
Introduced in 2013, the Ghost Town and Calico Railroad celebrate Christmas on Engine 41. Climb aboard a vintage railcar and meet an ever-changing group of Ghost Town residents eager to share their Christmas plans and songs with you.
The Birdcage Theatre
The performances of A Christmas Carol and Gift of the Magi return as well. These are wonderful, with consistently fine actors in a wonderfully intimate theatre. Though, we would like to see them stretch a bit and try staging a few new classics, as these have been the two offerings for several years now.
Experience a unique live performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol or O. Henry’s A Gift of the Magi in an intimate setting of the historic Bird Cage Theatre.
Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting
The lavish production to light the tree in Calico Square has returned.
When the sun sets on the Farm, Calico Stage lights up with the celebration of the season in Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting. Join us for a musical, whimsical tree lighting featuring a cast of Toy Soldiers, Snowmen, Elves and America’s most famous beagle, Snoopy!
Lucy’s WIsh List
Over in Camp Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus and Lucy invite you to dance, sing and join in on the holiday fun in the live show, Lucy’s Wish List in the Camp Snoopy Theatre.
The Christmas decorations are already being put up. Thankfully Knott’s gives a little breathing room between Halloween and the holidays. But Jeff Shaddic and his team, that decorate the expansive theme park, are hustling to change the farm over from scary to merry as fast as they can.
We are eager to return to Knott’s this holiday season to take in all that they have to offer. It’s nice to see that they keep adding to it every year. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Bigfoot Rapids
The seasonal downtime for Bigfoot Rapids is happening right now with the ride getting the attention it deserves. We can only hope that the waterfall comes back. We know it won’t happen, but we can dream.
The “Secret” Project
We stopped by the back of the park to check up on what we are hoping is ride progress. The old Knott’s Berry Tales/Kingdom of the Dinosaurs space is seeing a huge amount of work taking place. While we were there, we could hear work being done. Specifically lumber being moved about.
Get Rid of the Swing
Okay, can we just get rid of this awful eyesore now? We’ve never seen a wait for this ugly up-charge attraction. Have any of you paid the $5 bucks to ride it? Is it worth it?
Timber Mountain Log Ride
Knott’s Berry Farm is getting its own population of ducks going it seems. These ones were perfectly content just hanging out on a log near the drop of the flume ride.
On our recent ride through the attraction we are very happy to report that every figure was operating, including the animals. The only bummer was that the exterior animatronic was covered again in white residue.ddd
Off Season
If you have ever wanted to experience what a real off season is, go to Knott’s between now and the opening of Merry Farm. The entire park is open and operating, aside from Bigfoot Rapids and Montezuma’s Revenge of course
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving lands on Thursday the 27th this year and Knotts is having their traditional feast at the Chicken Dinner Restaurant from 9am-4pm.
- Adults: $39.99
- Kids: $17.99
- Seniors: $29.99
That about does it for our trip to the farm. Be sure to tune in next week as we cover more of the fun to be had at Southern California Parks. We hope to bring you some info from Universal Studios Hollywood soon and more updates from Disneyland. We will see you soon . . . In The Parks!