Knott’s Merry Farm is the holiday season event at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The 2026 edition runs from Nov. 20, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027, and it takes place during regular park days rather than on select nights. The park has not listed anything as new for 2026 on its event page, so the focus is on the returning headliners.
The event suits families, Southern California locals and anyone who wants a holiday day out with rides included. According to the park, live shows, light displays, select activities and most rides come with park admission. Food, drink, merchandise and select holiday experiences are paid extras.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
- Dates: Nov. 20, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027
- Event nights: Daily operation across the run; check the park calendar for open days and hours
- Highlights: Home for the Holidays revue, Peanuts on Ice, nightly Parkwide Holiday Lighting Moment
- New for 2026: Not announced
- Ticket: Included with park admission (food, drink, merchandise and select experiences extra)
What’s new for 2026
The park’s official Merry Farm page does not name any new houses, shows or zones for 2026 at the time of writing. What it does list is the returning lineup: the Home for the Holidays musical revue, the Peanuts ice skating show, Santa’s Christmas Cabin, the Christmas Crafts Village and the Snow and Glow street experience. If the park adds something for 2026, it will appear on the event page, so check there again closer to opening day.
Lights, shows and holiday entertainment
The park is dressed in winter wonderland decor, with thousands of twinkling lights, miles of themed garland and jumbo snowflakes. Each night the park hosts a Parkwide Holiday Lighting Moment, so plan to be inside the gates by then if you want to see the switch-on.
Home for the Holidays is a musical revue with classic Christmas tunes, dancing toys and snow. The ice show stars the Peanuts Gang alongside professional skaters. Snow and Glow brings holiday music and snow effects to the streets of Calico. Santa’s Christmas Cabin is the place for a Santa meet-and-greet. Show times change by date, so use the park app or the daily schedule when you arrive.
Rides and attractions open
The park says most rides are included with admission during Merry Farm. It does not publish a ride-by-ride list for the event. Which coasters and attractions run on a given day depends on weather, maintenance and crowd levels, so check the app or the park calendar before you go if you have a must-ride in mind.
Beyond the rides, the Christmas Crafts Village is an easy place to browse for one-of-a-kind gifts, and it works well as a warm-up stop between shows.
Holiday food and treats
The park lists seasonal food and drink that is available only during the event. One example on the official page is a meatball hoagie with cranberry gastrique and mashed potatoes. Full menus, prices and any treat passes are not published on the event page, so look at the park’s dining listings or the app for the current lineup. All food and drink is a separate purchase.
Tickets, passes and upgrades
Merry Farm activities are covered by regular park admission, and you buy tickets on the Six Flags website for Knott’s or at the gate. Ticket prices vary by date and are not listed on the event page, so check the ticket calendar for your day. Pass holders should confirm the details for their pass type on the park site. Food, drinks, merchandise and select holiday experiences cost extra.
Tips for your visit
Southern California evenings can turn cool once the sun sets, so bring a light jacket for the lights and the lighting moment. Arrive with enough time to park, get through security and settle in before the nightly lighting. Weekends and the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day tend to draw the biggest crowds, so a weekday earlier in the run is the calmer choice.
Hours vary by date and the park closes at different times through the season, so check the calendar the day before you go. Rain can affect outdoor shows and rides, and the park app is the quickest way to see what is running.
Explore more: every theme park holiday event for 2026, by state.
Knott’s Merry Farm 2026 at Knott’s Berry Farm FAQs
When does Knott’s Merry Farm 2026 start and end?
Knott’s Merry Farm 2026 runs from Nov. 20, 2026 through Jan. 3, 2027. Hours vary by date, so check the park calendar.
Is Knott’s Merry Farm included with park admission?
Yes for most of it. The park says live shows, light displays, select activities and most rides are included with admission. Food, drink, merchandise and select holiday experiences require a separate purchase.
Do rides run during Knott’s Merry Farm?
Most rides are included with admission during the event. The exact list depends on weather and maintenance, so check the park app or calendar on the day of your visit.
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Photo: METRO96 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.