Knott’s Scary Farm opened its ghoulish gates, kicking off its 49th year of Halloween frights at the beloved theme park. The birthplace of the theme park haunts, Knott’s Scary Farm first opened in 1973 for a scant three days. Now the event runs on select nights from September 22nd to October 31st. We were there on opening night and we are here to bring you highlights from each of the shows, scare zones, and mazes. We will share our thoughts, and offer insight on how to enjoy the event in the most affordable, enjoyable way.
We will also be pointing out what we think is a Do Not Miss*.
SHOWS
Hands down the winner this year are the entertainment offerings at Knott’s Scary Farm. The three shows deliver a range of spooky, raucous fun that is just right.
INTO THE FOG
In the top end of the park, amidst the GORE-ing 20’s Scare Zone and under the adorably charming Beary Tales: Return to the Fair attraction is the wonderful INTO THE FOG art exhibit. Here fans of Scary Farm pay homage to the event with a collection of brilliant pieces of art. You can browse and enjoy, or you can choose to take something home with you.
Carnival Du Grotesque
Knott’s Entertainment department seems to have taken notes from last year’s abysmal offering on this stage to come back with an entertaining, at times jaw-dropping spectacle. Carnival Du Grotesque is a collection of acts that thrill and amaze led by a pair of skeevy ringleaders and it is worth your time.
The talented dance troupe from last year’s Fiesta Village show has been moved here as the opening act of hip hop roustabouts kicking off the garish proceedings. Included are a flame performer, a balance artist, and a HAIRialist (she literally hangs from her hair to perform ariel choreography).
Complimented by a clever set design, this Calico Stage performance is worth seeing. Not only will it offer you a respite from the terror, but it’s actually good.
Conjurers – Dark Magic
A hidden gem in Ghost Town’s Birdcage Theatre, Conjurers – Dark Magic is another solid piece of fun. Clocking in at about 20-25 minutes we are treated to a glib Master of ceremonies who leads us through a host of silly puns, jokes, and illusions. In all honesty, we were really hoping that, with the title, the show would really get dark and deliver some gag-inducing Gran Guignol action or at least something macabre. Alas. Still, this was great. After you hit the Boofet Dinner, the early entry, Bloodline, and Grimoire head back to the Bird Cage Theatre and catch this if you can.
PUPPET UP! Uncensored *
What is there to say? Everyone knows it’s Windy. Puppet Up! Uncensored is back to command laughter and induce all prudes to clutch their pearls as they collapse onto their fainting couch. We caught the final performance of the night on September 22nd and, to be honest, it didn’t rise to the dizzying heights of comedy that we were used to but the talent was there. But even the worst Puppet UP! show is still gut-busting entertainment.
To explain, Puppet UP! Uncensored is a puppet improv show that utilizes the talents of improv puppeteers and audience suggestions. The results are hilarious and always a lot of fun. We get the classics; The Bond Title sequence, Everyone Know’s It’s Windy, but we also get some new wonderfully twisted segments that make even the most loyal, regular fan gasp. Again, to be totally clear, this is fully UNCENSORED. No level of depravity is off limits and no language is verboten. You have been warned. A Do Not Miss.
SCARE ZONES
Throughout the park are 5 distinctly themed scare zones where monsters roam and terrorize. This is also the final year to enjoy The Hollows scare zone near the front of the park.
CarnEVIL
Year after year the clowns of CarnEVIL strut the midway under the stringed lights of the Boardwalk taunting, engaging, and scaring passersby. It’s another solid year for the hard-working monsters in this zone and there isn’t enough to be said about their inventive terror. Think about it. These are highly noticeable monsters in full light that are required to create a scare. No matter how you feel about clowns, these people work and they work hard to make you as uneasy as possible.
The Hollows
In what is heralded as the final year, the brilliant scare zone The Hollows returns. Situated in the wooded Camp Snoopy section of the park, near the Pumpkin Eater maze, The Hollows plays on New England folklore and rustic witchcraft to confront guests with frights. From day one this has been one of our favorites as it leans into the existing thematic elements while also tying into a maze theme.
This year the talent is strong again, along with the textured lighting and sound design. Take a stroll through The Hollows and say goodbye. It’s worth it.
Foresaken Lake
Situated in the area bridging Silver Bullet’s Ghost Town to Fiesta Village is the atmospheric FORSAKEN LAKE. Playing on the lore of Voodoo and Louisiana Bayou tropes is this riparian scare zone that is populated by a talented troupe of actors ranging from zombies (in the traditional sense), to mourners, to locals.
GOREing 20’s *
The standout hit from last year, GORE-ing 20’s returns as one of the stronger offerings at Knott’s Scary Farm. Enter the seedy world of the 1920’s where gangsters ruled, speakeasies existed, and religious zealots persecuted sinners.
Knott’s has repeated the area almost exactly as it was in 2021 and it is still one of the most vibrant and intense areas of the park. Our advice; Get to this area just after PUPPET UP! gets out and watch the mayhem. A Do Not Miss
Ghost Town Streets *
The original. The classic. Ghost Town Streets. This is one of the core definitions of Halloween for us at HorrorBuzz. Crossing under the lit Ghost Town marquee at the front of the park we enter a prelude to Fog Alley. This is THE iconic Halloween moment. Aging storefronts loom over a fog-shrouded alley. Within the opaque air are the denizens of a cursed town, waiting for you.
MAZES
While the scare zones and shows offer a solid lineup of scares, the collection of 9 mazes this year doesn’t fare so well. There are 7 returning mazes joined by two new creations. To be clear, overall the effort shines like a beacon of earnest Halloween goodness. But the story-heavy motifs and repeated mazes serve up an exhausting collection rather than something fresh and new.
The Grimoire – NEW FOR 2022
Pronounced GRIM•WAR this high-concept maze depicts a supernatural tome that houses a collection of its horrific exploits. Wherever the book has laced itself through time, it has wreaked havoc and collected the frightening tale. Whoever should be so dumb as to open the book and read from it, will be forced to relive its terrors and experience their own.
We are broken up into groups so as to accommodate the show scene that opens the walkthrough. Once cleared we tunnel through a wooden tunnel festooned with dangling roots. Ultimately we arrived at a campsite where a feckless camper is reading aloud from the cursed book. A show moment hits and the curse is released. Our group is ushered through the flaps of a nearby tent and we enter the episodic horrors of The Grimoire.
We travel through various moments where the book has made contact with clueless readers. These include an early American war, World War II, the 50’s, and back out to the modern, 80’s era. This is a maze weighed down by a story that never really takes flight. Established intellectual properties have the advantage of enhanced narrative to set up a scare. Unfortunately, truly original mazes have a lot more heavy lifting to do. Here Knott’s gets weighed down in throughline, leaving the jump scares to the actors in the maze. Try as they might, The Grimoire is not fully rescued by the talent.
Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights has spent years refining the production of the original concept house or maze and even still they don’t always hit the mark even today. That is to say, this is a hard thing to do.
Despite the convoluted setup, this is a visually impressive maze. Take special note of the scenes in black and white where everything is in a tone of grey. This is some great production design. The Grimoire is an admirable effort saddled by a high concept and questionable choices. Hit this second, right after Bloodline.
Mesmer *
Last year, we first encountered MESMER. The use of creepy sideshow tents and supernatural hypnotism wasn’t scary, but it was entrancing. We are happy to say that, in its second year, Mesmer has found its legs, so to speak, and offers a thrilling journey into nightmarish magic.
DARK RIDE *
Billed as the final year of this amazing maze, DARK RIDE again welcomes hapless Boardwalk guests into the seedy recesses of an abandoned dark ride. The locals have taken over and the malfunctioning attraction is littered with psychotic clowns and nefarious monkeys.
Origins: The Legend of Calico *
When Origins debuted in 2019 we were gobsmacked with its perfect marriage of narrative, scares, and fan service. This remarkable walkthrough returns for 2022 to thrill and terrorize with a western motif that weaves a tale of a town that turns against outsider Sarah Marshall. As we enter the attraction, a judge is sentencing Sarah Marshall to death for witchcraft. Of course, Sarah reveals her powers and exacts revenge on the sleepy town of haters.
Dark Entities
Dark Entities returns for another year of galactic terror. The problem is that the maze has yet to deliver consistent scares. The idea is there; We are recruits at a company that is sending us via teleportation to a spaceship under siege. What is besieging this errant vessel and what has attacked its crew? We wander the foggy tunnels and dim-lit passageways in search of a way out only to encounter doom at every turn.
Wax Works
Daniel Miller’s gloriously goopy Wax Works invites us into a dilapidated wax museum once again to explore the horrific creations of a serial killer/artist/creator. Housed in a smoldering wax museum that is struggling to survive a fire, we enter the lobby and box office and cross into the exhibit. Lurching in darkness and springing from corners are the inhabitants and victims of a mastermind bent on murder and rebirth.
The Depths
The Depths is a glorious maritime nightmare. We are escorted into the shoreline tunnels of a cursed town plagued by nefarious subterranean creatures. The further we go into the experience, the deeper we seemingly go into the earth and the past… maybe? Eventually, we pass mine workers and encounter a submarine, mines, and an underground aquatic civilization. That’s followed by the terrors of malicious mermaids, the Kraken, and Davey Jones himself.
Pumpkin Eater
Bloodline: 1842 – NEW FOR 2022
From this point, it seems that our goal is to find the Weaponsmith while defending ourselves from the continuous attacks of bloodsucking freaks waiting around every corner. We rush through detailed sets while flailing our weapons in every direction and come across various sympathizers who guide us. Spoiler alert, we get to the Weaponsmith and we are ready to rid the kingdom of our enemy. Will we find said villain? Where could he be hiding? What the heck does any of this mean?
BLOODLINE: 1842 is a beautiful, highly detailed maze weighed down by impossibly dense world-building, and the unnecessary use of interactive guns. The talent here is top shelf and they do everything they can to push the story while circulating guests through the attraction but they can’t save this peculiar creation. It’s ok. It’s fine. We are sure that they will find their footing during the 2022 run and this will be a marvel for the 50th Anniversary of Knott’s Scary Farm. As of right now, it is just a narrative-heavy shooter maze.
Further on that point; Is it becoming a bit distasteful to hand parkgoers guns to shoot up characters in mazes? What was once a groundbreaking innovation now seems a bit off considering rising gun violence and the increasing security efforts exerted by the park. Not that this stopped us from joining in, but is it time to have that discussion?
Our advice is to hit this maze first, no question. They will be refining operations and working out the kinks on this original maze well through the season and it will only get better.
Knott’s Scary Farm 2022 Final Thoughts
While Knott’s Scary Farm 2022 is enjoyable enough, there seems to be a certain something that is a bit off. The Mazes are all fine for the most. The Scare Zones all hit the mark and feature solid talent. The shows are all wonderful this year. But there is a coldness to the event that hasn’t been there before. Heightened security and price increases aren’t the most inviting welcome mat but some of that is inevitable in light of recent events. Still, if you go, our advice is to avoid the weekends, plan ahead, buy ahead, and hold off on buying front of the line until you get there and see the crowd levels. Most of the mazes have commanded no more than a 20-minute wait on weekends, with the busiest being Bloodline:1842 and The Grimoire peaking at 60 minutes each. Do those two first, then breeze through the rest of the night.
Tickets
Knott’s Scary Farm is a separate-ticketed event from general daytime admission and this year Knott’s has increased prices for the event dramatically. There are still ways to save though. Here are the prices, along with our suggestions on how to get the most for your money depending on your time.
General Admission
For 2022, General Admission tickets start at $59 online and $109 at the front gate depending on the night that you choose to go. In the past, a General Admission Ticket has always been the least economical way to experience Knott’s Scary Farm. However, recent changes in the Chaperone Policy, coupled with the removal of Scary Farm Season Passes and the new Bag Policy have led to decreased crowds. This is a win for consumers who may just want to pop in with a little less planning involved.
If you have flexibility, plan your visit by avoiding Friday or Saturday nights and pick up your tickets online. You can also find some good discounts on Goldstar or other discount ticket sites too.
Fright and Fast Lane
If you are visiting from out of town, or can only visit Scary Farm on a night that could be crowded (Fridays or Saturdays) Fright and Fast Lane is a safe bet. The Fast and Fright Lane wristband DOES NOT include admission and starts at $135. It will get you unlimited priority access to all of the mazes, including select attractions.
Knott’s Scary Farm Parking
This year Knott’s Scary Farm Parking costs $30 with Prefered parking closer to the front gate at $45. We recommend grabbing that ahead of time online.
New ticket options
This year Knott’s has decided to develop their own Behind the Scenes tours through mazes along with a VIP Package. Here is what they are offering.
Beyond The Fog Tour
The Beyond the Fog tour offers guests a 3-hour lights-on tour of select mazes and costs $79.99 per person. This DOES NOT include Admission. The tour takes place during the day, long before Scary Farm begins, hence this would be something that would require a full-day.
Very Important Monster Tour
Scary Farm’s new Very Important Monster Tour is a rather decadent option. Starting at $549 and going up to $625, this ticket offers Admission, the Boo-fet Dinner, and a private guide for up to 6 hours that gives you priority access to select rides and shows. This is a per-person price with a minimum 2-person order. Currently, Knott’s website indicates that this does NOT include Priority entrance to mazes, nor does it include the Beyond the Fog Tour.
This begs comparison to Universal Halloween Horror Night’s R.I.P. tour that ranges in price from $319 – $449 that package includes…
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Halloween Horror Nights. The ticket includes a guided walking tour of the event; one-time R.I.P. entry to each haunted house as well as select rides and attractions (based on tour itinerary), reserved seating at a live show (based on tour itinerary) while on the tour with R.I.P. Tour Guide and Universal Express Unlimited access (with R.I.P. credential) at select houses, rides, and attractions for the night of your tour. Daytime admission to the Park is not included.
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Valid on your selected date and time only.
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Exclusive Universal Backlot Halloween experience with private VIP trolley transportation.
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Gourmet dinner in the private VIP dining room (alcoholic beverages excluded).
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Special interactive themed photo opportunities with a scare actor.
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Reserved VIP seating at a live show (while on tour with R.I.P. Tour Guide).
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Complimentary valet parking (one vehicle).
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Special VIP entrance to Universal Studios Hollywood where you will receive your commemorative “R.I.P.” credentials and lanyard.
Just sayin’.
Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-Fet
Staying at $45, the Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet is a solid way to start the night and get into the park early. This option is 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.
Dates
Knott’s Scary Farm will be running 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.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
CHAPERONE POLICY – An updated 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. One guest, 21 and older, may now chaperone up to 5 guests under the age of 18.
In addition to this chaperone policy change, also effective September 29, 2022, any chaperone who accompanies 5 minors, all with valid paid admission for that evening’s event, will be given one complimentary admission to use for that night only. Limit one complimentary chaperone ticket per 5 minors.
To qualify for complimentary admission, each chaperone must accompany a total of 5 guests under the age of 18. The chaperone must present a valid photo ID with date of birth, and all minors must have a valid admission ticket for that evening’s event. The chaperone’s complimentary ticket will be issued at the Main Entrance turnstiles.
BAG POLICY – 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.
Of course, we ALWAYS advise you to check for up-to-the-minute information directly from the knottsscaryfarm.com website or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the scary conversation by using #ScaryFarm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
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