Knott's Scary Farm Reveals All for 2022 Season

Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA

For weeks, Knott’s Scary Farm has been releasing video announcements online confirming what’s returning to this year’s event, but today, they finally completed their announcements on everything to expect for the 49th Halloween Haunt, including two brand new mazes coming to the fog this year!

Bloodline 1842 mixes Special Ops: Infected with Lore of the Vampire (or any number of Knott’s past vampire mazes) in a new, interactive experience that will pit guests on the side of good vampires hunting evil creatures of the night. Meanwhile, The Grimoire builds upon last year’s Invitation to Terror show, the hokey, 1980’s-set program that introduced the mysterious book of evil that is at the heart of this year’s maze. Bloodline 1842 will be at the backstage Paranormal, Inc. location while The Grimoire will occupy the Mystery Lodge location.

In addition to this, the recent chaperone policy that was introduced at Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday attendance has been confirmed to apply to all Knott’s Scary Farm nights. This was in response to recent and increasing trouble at the park with unsupervised individuals—typically minors—who have instigate large fights and spread mayhem, including an incident that shut the park down early on the night of July 16th. The policy requires that all guests 17 years old or under be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years or older, with at most 4 minors per 1 adult chaperone, and the chaperone required to enter with the minors and be in the park the entire night the kids are in the park. This chaperone policy is welcome, as too many people have dropped off their children at the park to use as a babysitting service, and unfortunately, the bad apples have spoiled it for the rest of the batch.

Less emphasized but impacting a lot more people is a new bag policy that Knott’s has announced. For Knott’s Scary Farm specifically (daytime Berry Farm operations are exempt), all guests will be prohibited from bringing in any type of bag that measure greater than 6.5 x 4.5 x 2 inches in size. This is an exceptionally small size that is more restrictive than even industry live events like concerts and sporting events these days, and if it holds and is enforced, will create a lot of issues for many guests—particularly women, who will be hard pressed to 1) find a bag that even fits these requirements, and 2) be able to actually fit their essentials into such a bag. While men can fit their items into their pants pockets, women’s clothing is typically designed with no or small pockets, requiring the use of a bag. The size in question is barely large enough to fit a smart phone just by itself. Add to that keys, identification, credit cards and/or cash, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, perhaps a battery pack for said phone, and possibly makeup or any number of additional items that women carry with them when out of the house for hours on end, and this policy starts to clearly be very unrealistic.

Make no mistake, the concern here is not with the presence of a bag policy but rather the completely unreasonable and out of touch parameters around it. We recognize that bag policies are the result of a world where we unfortunately have to worry about horrific tragedies like mass shootings and terrorist attacks, and that has limited the flexibility of how we attend events. However, the size specified in this case is smaller than any sporting event or concert or festival that we have seen, and those other events also offer larger clear bag options that Scary Farm is excluding. The result is something that will disproportionately affect women and does not seem very well thought-out. Even in the time since the the Scary Farm announcement was completely revealed today, there has been a significant amount of outcry on social media denouncing the absurdity of this policy’s specifics. We’re hoping that the park and Cedar Fair will rethink this to offer more reasonable accommodations. Otherwise, it will be interesting to see exactly how strictly this will be implemented at the security checkpoints outside of Knott’s and how those guests who do not pay attention online (or clearly read their ticket purchasing agreements) will respond when they are denied entry.

Lastly, as tickets went on sale today on the Knott’s Scary Farm web site, it was confirmed that the Scary Farm Season Pass is once again not available. Those season passholders who were quick enough to purchase it as an add-on to their season pass renewal last year or at the start of this year were able to get the KSF pass, but for all others and for regular guests looking to go multiple times, they’ll have to pay by the night, just like everyone used to have to do.

One other observation: the price for Fright Lane has gone significantly up this year compared to last year—a well over 50% increase. If you can’t quite stomach such inflation, either visit Haunt on a Thursday or Sunday (or that random Wednesday, October 19th) to take advantage of much shorter lines compared to Friday and especially Saturdays; or purchase a pre-scare Boofet and gain access to the 4 backstage mazes—The Depths, Wax Works, Dark Entities, and Bloodline 1842—one hour before the 7:00pm Scary Farm opening.

Keep reading for the recap of the rest of what Knott’s Scary Farm will offer for 2022!

From the press release:

The 49th Season of Knott’s Scary Farm Turns Nightmares into Reality with New Signature Scares

Select Dates September 22nd – October 31st

BUENA PARK, CA – The most immersive Halloween experience in Southern California, Knott's Scary Farm, returns with unimaginable new scares and terrifying twists for its 49th frightful year. Every inch of the park transforms into everyone’s worst nightmare as the most horrendous monsters await around every corner ready to turn you into their next victim. This year, guests will come face to face with their most horrifying fears as they brave through the park’s 17 haunted experiences, including five spine-chilling scare zones, nine monstrous mazes, and three sinister shows. Knott's Scary Farm is back for 26 terrifying nights from September 22 – October 31.

There is nowhere to hide as hair-raising scares are looming around every turn, with the debut of our newest mysterious mazes and a gruesome lineup of new shows. These new haunting experiences add to the original scares that can’t be found anywhere else.

New Offerings

Bloodline 1842 (Maze) – Armed with the latest Bellatorian weaponry, you can choose to heed the call to action and embark on a perilous journey with the immortal Daybreakers. Travel through the busy city streets of Valdonia while hunting the bloodthirsty Valhymphri in an all-out war. Bring light into the darkness, survive the vicious onslaught of vampires, and bring honor to your order!

The Grimoire (Maze) – Turn the page and enter the world of an ancient relic whose dark stories exist purely to turn your greatest nightmares into a reality. Enter the world of a mysterious spell book and escape the demonic creatures inside or be eternally trapped within!

(Image courtesy of Knott’s Berry Farm.)

Beyond the Fog: A behind-the-scenes tour of Knott’s Scary Farm

Behind the scenes of Knott's Scary Farm, an army of talented builders and creators work hard to make California's original and most haunting Halloween event a success. For the first time, you can pull back the veil for a Lights On, Frights Off Tour. Join us for a 3-hour behind-the-scenes look at Knott's Scary Farm where you’ll learn the history of Scary Farm and take part in a walking tour of multiple Knott's Scary Farm mazes with the lights on! Grab your walking shoes for a one-of-a-kind opportunity to go Beyond the Fog.

Le Magnifique Carnaval du Grotesque (Show) – Calico Mine Stage

Step right up and walk into the mystique and darkness of the malevolent Le Magnifique Carnaval Du Grotesque. This reimagined show features a collection of death-defying feats and dangerous carnival acts to delight your darkest desires and fill your senses with terror.

Conjurers: Dark Magic (Show) – Bird Cage Theater

The fog in Calico is thick. The screams of the denizens of the night echo all around. The only safe place to take refuge is in The Bird Cage Theatre with this newest evolution of the Conjurers magic show. You know the place, right next to the Undertaker. It seems that with death no longer the end, the Undertaker has nearly been run out of business. Fortunately, in all his dealings with death and the afterlife, he's got a few tricks up his sleeve. Tricks will come in handy as he crosses over to the other side to show our still-living guests what he's learned.

Returning Mazes

Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind – Within the canvas tent lies the secret of the most potent force in the universe: the human mind. Give in and succumb to the hypnotist Mesmer and his sinister sideshow, as it preys on your hidden fears. Release your inner thoughts and descend into a world of madness, torture, and eerie enlightenment. There you will uncover the grotesque secrets hidden as you brave through the most terrifying show ever created.

Wax Works – Mysterious lights and strange noises have begun to emanate from the eerie abandoned wax museum. It's rumored that blood-curdling screams can be heard echoing through the halls of Wax Works as victims are horrifyingly submerged into a scorching hot cauldron of bubbling wax. The once prominent plastic surgeon, Dr. Augustus Scratch, has been seen tinkering at night and is now ready to show off his beautiful yet terrifying life-like masterpieces of hot molten wax and bloody flesh. Take a closer look at his gruesome works of art and try to escape his deadly grip or become the newest masterpiece to add to his collection.

Origins: The Curse of Calico – Pierce the veil of time and discover the secret of the evil fog that hangs over Knott's Scary Farm in Origins: The Curse of Calico. Unearth the sinister paranormal activity that plagues the town as Sarah Marshall is put on trial for her suspected crimes of witchcraft. All will be unveiled when the Green Witch rises and curses the townsfolk, transforming all who have accused her into a wicked horde of malicious creatures with an eternal quench for the living.

Pumpkin Eater – Watch your head as you navigate the twisted passages as you come face to face with the pumpkin monsters that lurk in the dark of the Pumpkin Eater maze. The notorious creature is on the prowl, hidden within the dark confines of the haunted town he once terrorized. To escape the sinister Pumpkin Eater's wrath, all who enter must go on a quest through the silent town of victims, face a cave of crawling insects and solve the labyrinth of thorns that blocks the way out. Enjoy one last slice of terror as this legendary journey through a colonial nightmare comes to a horrific end.

Dark Ride – Pull down that lap bar for one final spin through an abandoned carnival ride where cruel carnie folk still linger in the shadows in Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos. The carnival has become a refuge for freaks and carnies. Now those shunned performers have created a dark world of terror which they plan to unleash on those who enter. Dark Ride will lead brave visitors through a treacherous path and into the bowels of a long-neglected attraction, as sinister shadows and horrifying scenes cast the gloom over the once pleasant ride. It's everyone's worst nightmare, being helplessly trapped inside an abandoned carnival ride without a way out. Escape quickly, as the ol’ carnival ride is about to be shut down for good and with it any chance of ever getting out alive.

The Depths – A heavy fog drapes over an abandoned port village where ancient creatures lurk inside the pitch-black underground caves hidden below the seaside shores. The Nightwatch Mining Crew has mysteriously disappeared, and village rumors point to the eerie tunnels the town sits upon. But be warned, all who have entered have never resurfaced. Myths of the terrifying horrors that lurk within the cave have often been whispered but never confirmed. Did the crew meet their demise at the hand of vicious creatures that live within the cave? Journey into the ominous caverns to discover if the superstitions revolving around the cave are true or not.

Dark Entities – Teleport beyond earth into a realm where the darkness is absolute. In the depths of space, a lone station faces terror beyond all imagination. An extraterrestrial mutation has invaded the station, and it's on the prowl for new hosts. The unearthly inhabitants' force increases as it feeds on its unwilling victims. Escape the dark entities before their deadly force eliminates all living forms aboard the station. There's nowhere to escape when time is running out!

Returning Scare Zones

Knott's Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions. Every night monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world-famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there's nowhere to hide in Knott's Scary Farm.

Step back into the dark decadence of a by-gone era as the scare zone The Gore-ing 20's terrorizes even the bravest and most brutal souls. Here gangsters run illicit hooch for the ghostly revelers as the otherworldly musicians play the music of the damned. Tell the Bouncer the secret password, and you'll have the time of your life for as long as it lasts.

Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, and beware the notoriously stunning sliders, who lunge from fog-filled corners of the land.

On the Boardwalk, deviant clowns crave your undying attention in the CARNEVIL scare zone.

Saddle up for one final ride through the bramble filled passageways of The Hollow scare zone. The treacherous Witches of the Hollow, and their armies of creatures have risen once again to battle with the Witch Hunter.

The Lake underneath Silver Bullet recedes to reveal the Forsaken Lake scare zone, where gothic creatures ravaged by the dark and murky waters wander from their crypts preying on unsuspecting visitors, looking for victims to drag back to their watery graves.

Returning Favorites

Puppet Up! Uncensored – Walter Knott Theatre

Returning nightly to Knott's Scary Farm for the 2022 season, Puppet Up! Uncensored is an outrageous, off-the-cuff live show featuring a combination of improvisational comedy and the magic of puppetry performed by a cast of world-class comedian puppeteers from The Jim Henson Company. Created by legendary puppeteer and award-winning director Brian Henson and directed by Patrick Bristow (Ellen, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Puppet Up! - Uncensored is no ordinary puppet show. The content is driven by audience suggestions and participation in proper uncensored form, topped with the zany antics and naughty shenanigans of the colorful and brazen puppet cast. Puppet Up! – Uncensored will be performed three times each night at Knott's Scary Farm and is intended for mature audiences.

Timber Mountain Log Ride: Halloween Hootenanny (Attraction Overlay) – The Timber Mountain Log Ride residents celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a seasonal twist to a park favorite. Mysterious creatures of Timber Mountain that live out in the woods and caverns join the citizens as they honor the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The Ride's interior features surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town's green witch, and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns all set to an original soundtrack by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.

Into The Fog: A Scary Farm Tribute Art Show – The Factory Store

Into the Fog is an art show specially curated for the discerning Scary Farm fan. The show is home to a collection of original art by unique and talented artists from across the country. These artists have drawn inspiration from Knott's Scary Farm's rich 49-year history, and you're sure to find an original or print you'll want to take home with you. Along with the Scary Farm art show, you can find all sorts of souvenirs any Halloween fan will be dying to get their hands on.

Knott's Scary Farm Admission

Single night tickets - Buy tickets at KnottsScaryFarm.com and save up to $50 off the regular main gate price of $109. Knott's Season Passholders receive a discount on single-night tickets. Applicable taxes and fees apply to online orders.

Fright & Fast Lane – Ride and scream all night long with unlimited priority access to all mazes plus priority boarding on all Fast Lane rides. Fright & Fast Lane starts at $135 and varies by night. Separate Scary Farm park admission required and not included.

Knott's Scary Farm Boo-Fet - Offered at Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant and Spurs Chophouse. Meals include a 2022 souvenir bottle, which gives unlimited refills on the night of your first visit plus only $5 all-day refills each additional visit through 2022.”. After dinner, enjoy early entry into select areas of Knott's Scary Farm a few minutes before it opens to other mortals. Boo-fet early entry will be to the newest maze Bloodline 1942, Dark Entities, The Depths and Wax Works, and exclusive photo opportunities with the monsters. The Knott's Scary Farm Boo-fet dinner is $45 + applicable taxes and fees when purchased online. Separate theme park admission is required and not included.

All Season Long Parking is valid for Knott's Scary Farm nights. Knott's Scary Farm General parking is $30 per vehicle and can be purchased online or at the parking booth upon arrival. Applicable taxes and fees apply to online orders.

Knott's Scary Farm has welcomed millions of visitors for over 48 years and has become an institution in the Southern California theme park landscape. This year, the event returns September 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, October 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Knott's Scary Farm is open 7:00 pm – 1:00 am, excluding Fridays and Saturdays, where the event will run 7:00 pm – 2:00 am. Due to the explicit and frightening nature of the event, it is not recommended for children under 13.

A chaperone policy is being implemented for all Knott's Scary Farm event nights. Under the policy, all general park guests ages 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to be admitted to the park. The chaperone must present a valid photo ID with date of birth. One chaperone may accompany no more than four guests ages 17 or younger per day. Chaperones must accompany their party during entry, remain inside the park during their visit, and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests ages 17 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection.

In addition, a bag policy will be implemented for Knott’s Scary Farm. Guests will not be permitted to bring bags larger than 6.5” x 4.5” x 2” into the park, including purses, backpacks, or diaper bags during Scary Farm operation. All bags will be searched prior to entry.

For more information on Knott's Scary Farm, including admission, park hours, and events, visit knottsscaryfarm.com or download the Knott's Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the scary conversation by using #ScaryFarm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.