Knott’s Scary Farm is open for 2026, with 26 select nights through Halloween at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. Gates open at 7 p.m., and the event runs until 1 a.m. on Thursdays and Sundays and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. This year has 10 mazes, two of them new (Inked and Unearthed), five scare zones, The Hanging, and two new shows. Tickets start at $69 online, and the event is not recommended for children under 13.
Watch my full 2026 walkthrough below, then use the event map and my maze rankings to plan your night. For every other Halloween event in the region, see my guides to haunted houses in Los Angeles and haunted houses in California.
Watch: Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 Full Walkthrough
HAN filmed every 2026 maze in 4K POV and ranked all 10. The full walkthrough is above, and each maze below links to its own video.
Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 at a Glance
| Dates | 26 select nights, September 17 through October 31, 2026. Thursdays through Sundays, except Sunday, September 20. |
| Hours | 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursdays and Sundays. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. |
| Daytime park on event days | Knott’s Berry Farm runs 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Scary Farm needs its own ticket. |
| Where | Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620 |
| Mazes | 10. New: Inked and Unearthed. Returning: Mary, The Zoo, Eight Fingers Nine, Widows, Room 13, Cinema Slasher, The Chilling Chambers, Origins |
| My top maze | Inked, then Unearthed. Full ranking |
| Scare zones | 5. CarnEVIL (reimagined), Ghost Town Streets, The Gore-ing ’20s, Forsaken Lake, The Gauntlet |
| Shows | Occultum Curated by Magic Castle (new), Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge (new), The Hanging: Noose Maxxxing |
| Tickets | Single night from $69 online. Scary Farm Pass $164. Fright & Fast Lane from $139 (admission not included). Groups of 15 to 99 from $60. Military and first responders from $65. |
| Ages | Not recommended under 13. Guests 15 and younger must be with a chaperone 21 or older. |
| Bags | Clear bags under 12 x 12 x 6 inches, or non-clear wristlets and clutches under 5 x 8 x 2 inches. All bags searched. |
| Costumes | Costumes that conceal identity are prohibited. |
| Map and showtimes | Event map below. Showtimes are on the Knott’s calendar and in the Six Flags app. |
Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 Map
The 2026 event map numbers every maze, scare zone, show, and food stop. Knott’s links it as a two-page PDF from the “View Guide” button on its event page. Here it is on one page.
Mazes are the yellow skulls, scare zones are the red cleavers, shows and experiences are the numbered white icons, and the 26 purple circles are seasonal food and drink stops. Inside the park, the Six Flags app has an interactive version of the map.
- Mazes: 1 Mary: The Haunting of Worth Home, 2 Widows, 3 The Zoo, 4 Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman, 5 Unearthed (new), 6 Origins: The Curse of Calico, 7 Room 13, 8 Cinema Slasher, 9 Inked (new), 10 The Chilling Chambers.
- Scare zones: 1 Ghost Town Streets, 2 Forsaken Lake, 3 CarnEVIL, 4 The Gauntlet, 5 The Gore-ing ’20s.
- Shows and experiences: 1 Meet the Creep, 2 The Hanging, 3 Occultum (new), 4 Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge (new), 5 Into the Fog, 6 Legacy Haunt Store and Museum.
The two new mazes are at opposite ends of the park. Unearthed (5) sits by the Mystery Lodge in Ghost Town, and Inked (9) is out on the Boardwalk.
When Does Knott’s Scary Farm Start? The 2026 Dates and Hours
Knott’s Scary Farm opened Thursday, September 17, and runs Thursdays through Sundays for the rest of September and all of October, skipping only Sunday, September 20. It closes on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31. That is 26 nights:
- September: 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27
- October: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31
Gates and mazes open at 7 p.m. every event night. Thursdays and Sundays close at 1 a.m., and Fridays and Saturdays run until 2 a.m. The event runs only on select nights, so check the Knott’s calendar before you drive.
What time does Knott’s Berry Farm open on Scary Farm days?
On event days, the daytime park runs 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, per the Knott’s calendar. Scary Farm is a separately ticketed night event, so a daytime ticket or season pass does not get you in at 7 p.m.
For kids too young for Scary Farm, Knott’s runs Knott’s Spooky Farm during the day, Thursdays through Sundays from September 24 through October 31, plus Columbus Day.
Knott’s Scary Farm Tickets and Prices for 2026
Tickets are sold online only, on Knott’s Scary Farm ticket page at sixflags.com, and prices vary by night. As of September 23, a single night starts at $69, up from $65 earlier in September. Knott’s Season Passholders get a discount on single-night tickets, and all guests, regardless of age, need their own paid ticket. Payment plans are available on select orders of $49 or more.
| Ticket | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Single-night admission | From $69 | Admission for one night, with all mazes, scare zones, and shows. Passholder discount applies. |
| Military and first responder | From $65 | One night of admission. |
| Scary Farm Pass | $164 ($155 for Knott’s passholders) | Unlimited visits on all event nights. Knott’s says limited quantities remain. |
| Fright & Fast Lane | From $139 | Unlimited priority access to every maze plus priority boarding on Fast Lane rides, for one visit. Admission is separate and required. |
| Scary Farm Experiences | Prices vary | The Boo-Fet dinner, the Very Important Monster Tour, and the Midnight Breakfast Buffet, each sold separately from admission. |
| Group tickets | From $60 | Groups of 15 to 99, one visit. |
| Knott’s Hotel Rest in Peace Packages | Varies by package | An overnight stay at Knott’s Hotel with Scary Farm admission, a collectible key card, and hotel parking. Bigger packages add daytime Knott’s Berry Farm admission, an exclusive Scary Farm t-shirt, Fright & Fast Lane, a Pre-Scare Dinner Experience with early entry into select areas, and the breakfast buffet. |
Are there discount Knott’s Scary Farm tickets?
Knott’s discounts are the passholder price, the military and first responder ticket, and the group rate. Outside Knott’s, FunEx, a discount-ticket site that says it is an authorized seller, lists one-night admission at $60.51 with what it calls member pricing. Knott’s official page starts at $69.
Other ways to pay less: pick a Thursday or Sunday, which are the cheaper nights. If you hold a Knott’s Season Pass, the single-night discount and the $155 Scary Farm Pass price both apply. The Scary Farm Pass pays for itself on the third visit, and groups of 15 or more get the $60 rate.
What Is New at Knott’s Scary Farm 2026
- Inked (maze). A 1930s cartoonist’s murderous toons come to life. It is on the Boardwalk, in the former Mesmer site.
- Unearthed (maze). A search-and-rescue mission into an excavation site that woke something ancient. It is by the Mystery Lodge, in the former Grimoire space.
- CarnEVIL (scare zone, reimagined). The hypnotist Mesmer now runs the Boardwalk circus.
- Occultum Curated by Magic Castle (show). Magicians from the Magic Castle in the Bird Cage Theatre.
- Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge (show). Marie Laveau and the court of Baron Samedi on the Calico Mine Stage.
- Color Collect. Carry an Interactive Lantern to light up Color Collect pillars around the park and find all six colors. The lantern unlocks interactions and effects at 100+ locations.
Returning mazes are Mary: The Haunting of Worth Home, The Zoo, Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman, Widows, Room 13, Cinema Slasher, The Chilling Chambers, and Origins: The Curse of Calico. Knott’s said at Midsummer Scream that Origins and The Chilling Chambers are in their final season. The Grimoire and Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind retired after 2025.
The 10 Knott’s Scary Farm Mazes, Ranked
I walked and filmed all 10 mazes for 2026, and this is my ranking. Overall, the two new mazes set a new bar for Knott’s, and they complement each other. Every maze is included with admission, and every maze takes Fright & Fast Lane. The number in each heading is the maze’s spot on the event map.
1. Inked (new, map 9)
Inked is a pure delight, and it starts in the line, where a cartoon plays the backstory before you enter. The local team drew all the original characters, and they went above and beyond to make an actual cartoon that sets up the story and is also the cartoon you walk into. There are Easter eggs all over, including a dead-on Steamboat Willie front before you enter.
The technology is impressive too. At the start, you see the 2D characters interacting with the 3D humans, and once you enter the tunnel worlds, the fire scene impressed everyone. I don’t want to give too much away, but this maze is extraordinary and novel.
Mortimer Morbid, “a washed-up 1930s cartoonist and former head of Morbid Studios,” discovers “that when blood becomes ink, imagination becomes reality.” Determined to make one final Halloween special, he brings his cartoon characters to life “only to unleash a legion of murderous toons hellbent on pulling viewers into their twisted world.” Cartoon horror is a 2026 theme beyond Buena Park: in Central Florida, A Petrified Forest’s new Drawn to Death trail sends Saturday-morning characters off the screen and into the nightmare.
2. Unearthed (new, map 5)
Unearthed is a good complement. If Inked is about the surreal cartoon world, Unearthed is about the real Egyptian past. It is a classic mummy-style maze with everything you would expect. What takes it above some of the other mazes is that the story begins in the queue line, and an archaeologist character shows up at multiple points along the way. The scenery is exceptionally done, along with the lighting and effects. It is a very solid maze, and I can see it being a favorite for many people.
Guests and their search-and-rescue team “arrive at a ravaged base of the summit days after receiving a distress signal.” The dig has turned up ancient tablets that “awakened a malevolent force from a forgotten age,” and, in Knott’s words, “an ancient evil has been unearthed.”
Watch my Unearthed walkthrough.
3. The Zoo (map 3)
Debuted 2025. An abandoned zoo has become “a terrifying laboratory of animal/human experiments,” where “hybrid creatures have turned on their creators and the compound is crawling with mutant soldiers thirsty for revenge.” Watch my walkthrough of The Zoo.
4. Widows (map 2)
Debuted 2024. A web-covered nursing home “where demonic, eight-legged black widows emerge from their silken tunnels to possess the withered bodies of the elderly residence,” with one goal: “to secure a mate and hatch a clutch of eggs before sunrise.” Watch my Widows walkthrough.
5. Mary: The Haunting of Worth Home (map 1)
Debuted 2025. After the death of her family, Mary “was violently murdered and buried alive by jealous townsfolk who were envious of her perfect family and home.” She returns from the grave searching for her family, and she and “her legion of nightmarish creatures will do anything to exact revenge on anyone that steps inside her once beautiful home.” Watch my Mary walkthrough.
6. Cinema Slasher (map 8)
Debuted 2023. Through the Midnight Theater and into “a trilogy of slasher movies,” where guests “become the movie characters who try to escape the wrath of the dangerous Slasher.” Watch my Cinema Slasher walkthrough.
7. The Chilling Chambers (map 10)
Debuted 2023, final season. The Crimson Lord guides “a collection of the most infamous monsters and themes from Knott’s Scary Farm’s horrific history,” a room-by-room tribute to the event’s past decades. Watch my walkthrough of The Chilling Chambers.
8. Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman (map 4)
Debuted 2024. An 18th-century colonial township is under siege by “an inhuman monster who has a sick penchant for eating fingers.” His bite “penetrates deep, causing sleep paralysis which holds his victim in sway while he slowly consumes their flesh.” Watch my Eight Fingers Nine walkthrough.
9. Origins: The Curse of Calico (map 6)
Debuted 2019, final season. The maze that explains the evil fog over Knott’s Scary Farm, as Sarah Marshall “is put on trial for her suspected crimes of witchcraft.” It has the earliest debut year in the current lineup. Watch my Origins walkthrough.
10. Room 13 (map 7)
Debuted 2023. Murders interrupt Prohibition-era revelry at The Blind Tiger on Memory Lane, and a new cocktail called The Devil’s Elixir seems to be at the root of it. The answers “may lie at the heart of the extravagant Argive Hotel, where many have checked in to Room 13… but none have checked out.” Watch my Room 13 walkthrough.
The Five Scare Zones
Scare zones are free-roaming and included with admission. Knott’s says more than 1,000 monsters hide in the fog, and they cannot follow you into stores, restaurants, or ride queues.
- CarnEVIL (reimagined), Boardwalk, map 3. The hypnotist Mesmer now runs the circus, “where the sideshow is the main event and countless deviant clowns, cutthroats, and curiosities will vie for your attention… and your ounce of flesh.” Mesmer moved here from the retired Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind maze, joined by two new characters Knott’s introduced at Midsummer Scream, The Barker and the Clown Maker.
- Ghost Town Streets, map 1. The original zone, running since 1973. “Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog,” along with the Sliders “who lunge from every fog-filled corner of the land.”
- The Gore-ing ’20s, map 5. Gangsters “run illicit hooch for the ghostly revelers as the otherworldly musicians play the music of the damned.” Tell the Bouncer the password.
- Forsaken Lake, map 2. The lake beneath Silver Bullet releases “gothic creatures, which have been ravaged by the dark and murky waters,” looking for victims to drag back down.
- The Gauntlet, map 4. Classic characters return to invade Camp Snoopy: “The King and Queen of the realm, maniacal jesters, brutal barbarians, wicked wizards and lawless peasants.”
Shows and Experiences
Showtimes are on the Knott’s calendar at sixflags.com and in the Six Flags app, and they can change. On the calendar for September 24 through 27, each show runs about 30 minutes:
- The Hanging (Wagon Camp): 8:15 p.m., 10:15 p.m., and midnight.
- Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge (Calico Mine Stage): 8:30, 10, and 11:30 p.m.
- Occultum (Bird Cage Theatre): 7:45, 9, and 10:45 p.m. and midnight on Thursdays and Sundays, and 8:15, 9:30, and 11:15 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Hanging: Noose Maxxxing (map 2)
The long-running satire is back at Wagon Camp. The Lawman and the Hangman battle “the vilest villains of the past year” in what Knott’s calls “the ultimate skewering of pop culture,” promising “gore and laughs to the maxx.” It contains adult themes and is not suitable for children. It runs September 17 through October 31.
Occultum Curated by Magic Castle (new, map 3)
Inside the restored Bird Cage Theatre, magicians from the Magic Castle perform what Knott’s calls “an evening of wonder” of surprise, delight, and mystery.
Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge (new, map 4)
On the Calico Mine Stage, Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen, guides the audience past the gate into the court of Baron Samedi, Lwa of the dead. “Dancers drift through the mist, flames rise, tombs drum and the cemetery wakes.”
Meet the Creep, Into the Fog, and the Legacy Haunt Store
- Meet the Creep (map 1): a photo op with the event’s monsters.
- Into the Fog (map 5): an art show of original pieces inspired by Scary Farm’s history, with originals and prints for sale.
- Legacy Haunt Store and Museum (map 6): exclusive merchandise plus historic exhibits from the event’s past.
Knott’s Scary Farm Wait Times and How to Beat the Lines
Arrive for the 7 p.m. opening. Lines are shortest in the first hour. Go straight to Inked and Unearthed, then work back through the returning mazes. Because the two new mazes are at opposite ends of the park, use the map to plan the walk between them.
Lines close before the night ends. Knott’s cuts off maze lines ahead of the 1 or 2 a.m. close and does not let you jump in at the last minute, the opposite of Halloween Horror Nights, so save nothing you care about for the final half hour. The two new mazes hold the longest lines all night, which is the other reason to do them first.
Fright & Fast Lane is worth it on Fridays and Saturdays, when standby lines build. It gives unlimited priority access to every maze plus priority boarding on Fast Lane rides. Buy it online, or inside the park at the General Store, Cordy’s Corner, Fiesta Mercado, or Guest Services, while it lasts. Knott’s sells a limited quantity. Line jumping, including leaving and re-entering a line or holding a place for someone, is prohibited and can get you removed from the park.
Add the Boo-Fet if you can. The pre-event dinner gets you into the park before the general opening for a head start on select mazes. Knott’s has been known for its food since it started as a boysenberry stand.
Time Ghost Town Streets around the shows. The zone thins out when a show starts, which is when you get the longest encounters with the monsters.
Knott’s Scary Farm Bag Policy, Costumes, and Rules
Bag policy. Clear plastic bags smaller than 12 by 12 by 6 inches are allowed, along with non-clear wristlets or clutches no larger than 5 by 8 by 2 inches, and all bags are searched before entry. Lockers are available near Guest Services, and single-use ride lockers sit at GhostRider, HangTime, and Silver Bullet.
Costumes. Costumes and face coverings that conceal identity are prohibited, and Knott’s says themed outfits may be prohibited during its evening Halloween events. Leave the mask at home.
Other rules. There are no refunds or re-entry, and guests may not touch the monsters. Photography and filming inside the mazes are not permitted. Smoking and vaping are allowed only in designated smoking areas. Special lighting effects, artificial fog, and theatrical makeup are used throughout the event.
Age Limit and Chaperone Policy
Knott’s does not recommend Scary Farm for children under 13. Every guest 15 or younger must arrive with a chaperone who is at least 21, who shows a government-issued photo ID with date of birth at the ticket entry, stays inside the park for the visit, and is reachable by phone. One chaperone may cover no more than ten guests 15 or younger. Guests 16 and older may be asked for ID, and anyone who cannot prove their age may be turned away. Guests 15 or younger found inside without a chaperone are subject to ejection.
The Knott’s Berry Farm App
Knott’s now points guests to the Six Flags app, available for iOS and Android. For Scary Farm, it carries the interactive map, the full list of shows and showtimes, and directions around the park.
Knott’s Scary Farm Food and Drinks 2026
The 2026 event guide lists 26 seasonal food and drink stops, and each one is a purple circle on the map. I have not tasted the 2026 menu, so this is the menu itself, from Knott’s event guide and food page.
Can you use the Knott’s dining plan at Scary Farm?
Yes. Knott’s staff confirmed to HAN that the dining plan works during Scary Farm, and the event guide marks which Scary Farm items it covers. On the 2026 menu, those are:
- The Zoo Tots and The Creatures Pizza at Calico Tater Bites. The Creatures Pizza is also at Grizzly Creek Lodge.
- Birria Flautas in a Cup at Baja Taqueria, on select nights.
- The Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken Loaded Potato or Mac and Cheese Bowl at Miner’s Mac & Spuds.
- Pollo Con Salsa Colorada at Casa California.
What the Scary Farm food looks like
The full Scary Farm menu, by stop
The number is the stop’s purple circle on the map. Menu items and locations can change.
| # | Stop | Menu |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boogeyman Bar (select nights) | Modelo Modelo Chelada Limon Pacifico Corona Beat Box Blood Bags: Ectoplasm, Transfusion or Zombie Juice Jell-O Syringe: Tequila Lime or Strawberry Vodka Assorted Chips |
| 2 | Gold Mine Trail Booth | Santa Fe Egg Rolls with Chipotle Ranch Juarez Style Burrito: Cheese & Poblano Pepper or Chorizo & Cheese Cherry Chocolate Parfait Monster Fuel Gourmet Cookie Spirit Cocktails in a Skull Cup: The Inferno Margarita, Stake Through the Heart Blood Bags: Ectoplasm, Transfusion or Zombie Juice Jell-O Syringe: Tequila Lime, Strawberry Vodka Select Beers |
| 3 | Miner’s Mac & Spuds | Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken Loaded Potato or Mac and Cheese Bowl (dining plan) Chocolate Chunk Teeth Cookie |
| 4 | Ghost Town Bakery | Prosciutto Baguette with Arugula, Mozzarella, and Balsamic Glaze Cherry Chocolate Parfait Ghost Brownie Alien Bundt Monster Fuel Gourmet Cookie Bat Decorated Cookie Black Chocolate & Raspberry Skull Tart Enchanted Elixir Mocktail |
| 5 | Mrs. Murphy’s (select nights) | Pepperoni, Jalapeño, and Cheese Panini Toxic Waste Cocktail in a Skull Cup UNEARTHED Tiki Mug with choice of Cocktail or Beer Blood Bags: Ectoplasm, Transfusion or Zombie Juice Select Beer |
| 6 | Calico Tater Bites | The Zoo Tots: Ground Beef, American Cheese Sauce, Grilled Onions, and Thousand Island (dining plan) The Creatures Pizza: Ground Beef, American Cheese Sauce, Grilled Onions, and Thousand Island (dining plan) |
| 7 | Sutter’s Grill | Jalapeño Popper Burger: Cheeseburger with a Jalapeño Popper Spread and Bacon Bits |
| 8 | Sutter’s Funnel | Midnight Blueberry Cheesecake Funnel Cake: Funnel Cake with Cheesecake Filling, Fresh Blueberries, Graham Crackers, and Vanilla Soft Serve |
| 9 | Ghost Town Grub (select nights) | Poison Apple Funnel Cake: Funnel Cake with Apple Mousse, Fresh Apples, and Caramel Sauce |
| 10 | Wilderness Dogs and Drinks (select nights) | Pastrami Fries with Spicy Thousand Island, Grilled Onions, Cheese Sauce and Banana Peppers |
| 11 | Gourmet Churro Factory | Cemetery Churro Bites: Cinnamon Sugar Churros with Green Apple Frosting, Gummy Worms, Oreo Crumbs, and Halloween Sprinkles |
| 12 | Chow House Ice Cream | Brownie Witch |
| 13 | Calico Saloon | Spirit Cocktails in a Skull Cup: From the Grave, Toxic Waste Select Beers |
| 14 | Judge Roy Bean (select nights) | Pickle Me: Pickle Beer with a Whiskey Sidecar Pickle Hitchin’: Whiskey and Pickle Juice in a Cored-Out Pickle From the Grave |
| 15 | Dr. Dillard Marsh Medicine Wagon (select nights) | Spirit Cocktail in an Event Cup: Stake Through the Heart Black Magic Mocktail Blood Bags: Ectoplasm, Transfusion or Zombie Juice Youngster Blood Bag: Pixie Potion or Vampire Kiss |
| 16 | Log Ride Funnel Cake | Zombie Brain Funnel Cake: Green Funnel Cake with Strawberry Mousse and Raspberry Sauce |
| 17 | Strictly-on-a-Stick | The Stabbed Cheddar: Deep Fried Cheddar Stick smothered in Nacho Cheese and rolled in Hot Cheeto Crumbs |
| 18 | Charleston Circle Coffee | Vampire Frappuccino Black Chocolate & Raspberry Skull Tart |
| 19 | Prop Shop Pizzeria | Ghosteroni Pizza: Spicy Alfredo Sauce, Pepperoni, and Mozzarella Vampire Antidote Sauce: Garlic Sundried Tomato Alfredo Sauce Toxic Waste Cocktail Select Beers |
| 20 | Coasters Diner | CarnEvil Shake: Chocolate Shake with Raspberry Sauce |
| 21 | Boardwalk BBQ | Korean BBQ Short Rib Hot Honey Glazed Peewee Potato |
| 22 | Casa California | Pollo Con Salsa Colorada (dining plan) Frijoles Charros Pumpkin Flan Carlota de Limon |
| 23 | Papas Mexicanas | Voodoo Fries: Andouille Sausage, Monterey and Cheddar Cheese Blend, Jalapeños, with a Voodoo Sauce |
| 24 | Cantina del Sur | Spirit Cocktail in an Event Cup: The Inferno Margarita |
| 25 | Baja Taqueria (select nights) | Birria Flautas in a Cup (dining plan) Esquite Negro: Kernel Corn with a Charred Vegetable Blend, Mayo, Butter, and Cotija Cheese |
| 26 | Grizzly Creek Lodge | The Creatures Pizza: Ground Beef, American Cheese Sauce, Grilled Onions, and Thousand Island (dining plan) |
Scary Farm cocktails and mocktails
You must be 21 or older with a valid ID to buy alcohol.
- The Inferno Margarita: watermelon, lime juice, habanero, jalapeño, and tequila.
- Stake Through the Heart: tart cherry, blue curaçao, lime juice, lemonade, and vodka.
- Toxic Waste: Midori, lemonade, and vodka.
- From the Grave: Irish whiskey with apple syrup, Sprite, and gummy worms.
- Blood Bags: Ectoplasm (tequila, sweet and sour, pineapple, yuzu, and triple sec), Transfusion (vodka, cranberry juice, grenadine, and lemonade), and Zombie Juice (vodka, Granny Smith apple syrup, and lemonade).
- Without alcohol: the Black Magic Mocktail (grape, cranberry, and lime juice with edible glitter), the Pixie Potion and Vampire’s Kiss blood bags, and the Enchanted Elixir, a color-changing blend of blue curaçao, lemon, and Sprite.
Collectibles sold online include the event T-shirt, a No-BOO necklace, and the Interactive Lantern.
Nightmares Revealed 2026: What Was Announced
Knott’s named the full lineup at Nightmares Revealed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, a ticketed preview night at Knott’s Berry Farm with a creative-team panel, a lights-on maze walkthrough, costume and makeup demonstrations, monster encounters in Ghost Town, night rides on Silver Bullet and Sierra Sidewinder, and the Legacy Store. Tickets sold out within an hour of going on sale June 19, and the presentation was livestreamed on Knott’s Berry Farm’s YouTube channel. The two new mazes, the two new shows, and the reimagined CarnEVIL were all announced there and confirmed in Knott’s August 20 press release. Ten days earlier, at Midsummer Scream on August 8, Knott’s had already said Origins and The Chilling Chambers were entering their final season and previewed Mesmer’s move to CarnEVIL.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Knott’s Scary Farm start in 2026? It opened Thursday, September 17, 2026, and runs 26 select nights through Saturday, October 31.
What are the Knott’s Scary Farm hours? 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
How much are Knott’s Scary Farm tickets? Single nights start at $69 online as of September 23, with prices varying by night. The Scary Farm Pass is $164, or $155 for Knott’s passholders. Fright & Fast Lane is a separate add-on from $139.
Where can I find the Knott’s Scary Farm map? The full 2026 event map is on this page. Knott’s also links it as a PDF from its event page, and the Six Flags app has an interactive version.
What is the Knott’s Scary Farm bag policy? Clear bags under 12 by 12 by 6 inches, or non-clear wristlets and clutches under 5 by 8 by 2 inches. Every bag is searched.
Can I wear a costume to Knott’s Scary Farm? Costumes that conceal identity are prohibited, and Knott’s says themed outfits may be prohibited during evening Halloween events.
What is the best maze at Knott’s Scary Farm 2026? My pick is Inked, followed by Unearthed. See my full ranking.
Can you use the Knott’s dining plan during Scary Farm? Yes. Knott’s staff confirmed to HAN that it works during Scary Farm, and the event guide marks the covered items, including The Zoo Tots, The Creatures Pizza, and the Birria Flautas in a Cup.
How many mazes does Knott’s Scary Farm have in 2026? Ten: two new (Inked and Unearthed) and eight returning. There are also five scare zones and three shows.
How long are the lines? The new mazes run the longest. Arrive at 7 p.m. and do Inked and Unearthed first, and know that maze lines close before the event does. Fright & Fast Lane skips the standby line at every maze.
Where is The Hanging, and when is it? The Hanging plays at Wagon Camp. On the Knott’s calendar for September 24 through 27, it runs at 8:15 p.m., 10:15 p.m., and midnight. It has adult themes and is not suitable for children.
Is there an age limit? It is not recommended for children under 13, and anyone 15 or younger needs a chaperone who is 21 or older.
Do I need a separate ticket from Knott’s Berry Farm? Yes. Scary Farm is a separately ticketed night event. Daytime admission, season passes, and daily parking do not include it, though passholders get discounts.
Knott’s Scary Farm or Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood? Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood runs September 3 through November 1 with a house lineup built on licensed films. Knott’s runs September 17 through October 31 with 10 original mazes, five scare zones, and a 2 a.m. close on Fridays and Saturdays.
Event Details
- Event: Knott’s Scary Farm 2026
- Location: Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
- Dates: 26 select nights, September 17 through October 31, 2026
- Hours: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Ages: Not recommended under 13. Chaperone 21 or older required for guests 15 or younger
- Tickets: From $69 online. Scary Farm Pass $164
HAN’s Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 Videos
Watch the full walkthrough at the top of this page, or go maze by maze:
- Inked (new)
- Unearthed (new)
- Mary: The Haunting of Worth Home
- Widows
- The Zoo
- Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman
- Room 13
- Cinema Slasher
- The Chilling Chambers
- Origins: The Curse of Calico
More from HAN: Knott’s Scary Farm 2024: Two New Mazes Unveiled and Knott’s Scary Farm Celebrates 50 Years of Never-Ending Nightmares. If you want to work the maze next year instead of walking it, see how to become a scare actor.
Last updated September 23, 2026. Hours, prices, and policies are from Knott’s Scary Farm’s pages and its 2026 event guide, and prices vary by night. This event is part of my Haunted Houses in California 2026 guide.
