On Thursday, September 17, fans descended on Knott’s Berry Farm as it eerily transformed into the fan-favorite Knott’s Scary Farm for the 2026 season. The Halloween tradition, which has now run for over 50 years, has become a true beginning to the spooky season for many Southern California haunt fans. While guests can always expect creepy mazes and bone-chilling frights, there were some exciting additions this year that I truly believe you can’t miss.
Opening Ceremony
In previous years, the event has kicked off with a quick opening moment just beyond the entrance of the park. This year, citizens of Calico take to the balcony of Gold Trails Hotel to warn guests of the dangers that lie in the fog. They urge guests to seek shelter in Calico Park, where Sarah Marshall, her sisters, and her horde of the undead make their grand appearance.
I absolutely loved this opening moment because it was an incredible blend of the daytime ghost town and the horrors of Knott’s Scary Farm. I loved the story that the regular citizens of Calico fear the autumn season because the monsters aren’t just there to haunt us; they’re there to haunt the town as well.
This ceremony does what only Knott’s Scary Farm can do: dive into the history of the park and draw from the history of the ghost town that most guests already know and love. This show moment also allows even more guests to experience the frightening fun that is the kickoff to Knott’s Scary Farm. Even if you don’t typically make it for the opening, I truly cannot recommend the experience enough.
Blind Tiger Balcony Soiree
I have been a huge fan of the GORE-ing 20’s since the scare zone debuted. I think that the vibe of the whole area brings such a fun life (or afterlife?) to Knott’s Scary Farm. This zone brings guests back to a Prohibition era where the Devil’s Elixir has taken hold of the flappers, newsboys, and mobsters in the streets.
What is a speakeasy without a jazz band? The Blind Tiger Balcony Soiree brings a band and dancers to the balcony of The Walter Knott Theater a few times a night and truly sets the tone for the entire area. While the performances are absolutely incredible, it is equally fun to watch the monsters engage with the band while dancing or incorporating the rhythm into their scares on unsuspecting guests. At one point, I even found myself dancing the Charleston with monsters as I made my way through the park. This show is one of those experiences that takes a scare zone into a true, immersive experience, and I cannot recommend it enough!
Inked
Of course, the maze on everyone’s minds this year is Inked, and for good reason! Inked tells the story of a cartoon studio and an artist who will stop at nothing to ensure he’s a success, even if it means swapping ink for blood. The maze takes you from snippets of Morbid Studios cartoons in the queue to the cartoons themselves as you step into the studio walls. While it nods to another famous cartoon studio, this maze builds a world much bigger than that.
As I stepped into this maze, I was in awe of the effects, the story, and the sound effects that surrounded me. While the maze is clearly dark, there is an element of childhood innocence that makes the whole experience even more eerie. Each scene brings something new and terrifying as you head further into the world of toons that love to terrorize. As I think back, this is the maze I would love to go through time and time again, just so I can pick up on all the small details and easter eggs that are hidden throughout the maze.
Overall, Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 is yet another incredible addition to the legacy of Halloween Haunt. While there’s so much to see and do, my top three barely scratch the surface of how many incredible and chilling experiences lurk around every corner at Knott’s Scary Farm.
While these are my top three, I would love to hear what your top three at Knott’s Scary Farm have been so far! Be sure to drop what you’ve been loving in the comments. I can’t wait to hear our similarities or differences!
