The holiday season is upon us once more, and again we make the pilgrimage to Knott’s Merry Farm to checkout their seasonal offerings. Knott’s Merry Farm, for those of you unaware, is the holiday season makeover undertaken by Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. It runs from now until January 7, 2018 and costs no added charge on top of the standard ticket price. For not paying anything more, however, you are certainly getting a lot extra! I should note that, in the past, Knott’s offered a special, reduced-price ticket to visit just the crafting village. However, I do not see that option available this year – call the park for clarification.
First, you get access to the craft village setup in the Calico Ghost Town area of the park. There, you will find a plethora of vendors hawking their wares – wares such as hand-made soaps, ornaments, and a whole lot more. Also, the park designers have done an excellent job of decorating Calico Ghost Town for the holiday season. There are boughs of holly, ornaments, trees, and a lot more gracing the usually-Spartan, grizzled Western town. Even the Calico Railroad has been made up some for the holiday season and you may not run into your usual train bandits during the excursion around the park.
Further down the road into Calico Ghost Town you’ll find Santa’s Christmas Cabin, where the big man himself waits to take photographs with guests and their families. Also in the cabin is a delightful array of holiday treats. There are freshly-dipped caramel apples, hot cocoa, tamales, wine selections, popcorn, and a host of other offerings that you owe it to yourself to sample upon your visit, so don’t fill up elsewhere! Even the Calico Railroad has been made up some for the holiday season and you may not run into your usual train bandits during the excursion around the park.
Also taking place during Knott’s Merry Farm is the award-winning Merry Christmas Snoopy! ice show with an impressive cadre of skaters as well as Peanuts characters on the ice. Unfortunately, while the skaters and dancers are very skilled, the ice show hasn’t changed much in the last few years and I hope they update it for the 2018 Knott’s Merry Farm event. Also returning this season are A Christmas Carol and Gift of the Magi in the Birdcage Theatre. These short format plays are a lot of fun and a must-see during your visit. At night, you can enjoy the lighting of the very impressive Calico Christmas tree across the way from the new Calico Main Stage. Speaking of which, you can also watch the It’s The Merriest Christmas Show Ever, Charlie Brown stage show there. This show is well produced and features many memorable moments. Also roaming the ghost town are the Calico Carolers, a vocal quartet that bump up their impressive singing with equally-impressive bell work!
Of course, you have access to all the standard Knott’s Berry Farm rides and attractions during the Merry Farm, and you can even see the progression of the parks upcoming Hang Time roller coaster as it is being constructed! The Calico Mine Ride and Timber Mountain Log Ride are operational and it is always a treat to ride these classic attractions. They really don’t make them like that anymore and the two fit right in with the old thyme holiday theme.
Overall, Knott’s Merry Farm is a Southern California holiday tradition that is not to be missed. It is fun for all ages and a delightful place to visit. Knott’s Merry Farm runs from now until January 7, 2018 during normal park operating hours. You can find out more about Knott’s Merry Farm such as ticket information and hours at the park’s official website.
