Knott’s Scary Farm 2021: Wander Through The Fog At This Massive Haunt
Corresponding for Dread Central, actress Sarah Nicklin (The Retaliators) attended the opening of SoCal’s much-beloved Knott’s Scary Farm. This year marks the event’s 48th season, and we brought back an exclusive look. So, what can you expect? Succinctly, a whole lot of spooky fun.
The first, largest and longest-running Halloween haunt held in a theme park, Knott’s Scary Farm (hosted at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California) is back after a 2020 pandemic pause. It’s returned with 15 haunted attractions, which includes five scare zones, eight mazes and two seasonal ride overlays.
Running through October 31, the haunt debuts some new offerings for park visitors this year. This includes their fresh haunted maze “Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind” (a sinister and grotesque carnival) and the scare zone “The Gore-ing 20’s” (in which century-old apparitions terrorize guests).
Related: Event Report: KNOTT’S SCARY FARM 2019 Delivers the Scares!
Of the returning mazes, Knott’s covers the horror spectrum, with “Wax Works” (in which a plastic surgeon shows off masterpieces of hot molten wax and bloody flesh); “Origins: The Curse of Calico” (The Green Witch returns!); “Pumpkin Eater” (in which the seven-foot-tall eponymous creature stalks); “Dark Ride” (an abandoned carnival ride inhabited by sinister circus folk); “The Depths” (aquatic terrors await), “Dark Entities” (in which guests step into a haunted space station); and “PARANORMAL, INC.” (a long-standing park favorite, sadly in its final run).
A staple of the California Halloween season, Knott’s Scary Farm has stayed true to its roots, even during a pandemic. The haunt delivers its signature sense of nostalgia via concept and execution, while also serving up some updates to fan favorites. With no licensed intellectual properties, it’s all about their creativity, and it’s a department in which Knott’s excels. They emphasize quality set design, frights and storytelling. The mazes are longer, and more labyrinthine than most, and the park’s vast array of jaw-dropping animatronics assist in delivering the frights. Scare actors within also provide substantial thrills (at a distance, given the pandemic).
(Knott’s Scary Farm is not recommended for children under 13 due to the explicit and frightening nature of the haunt.)
Add to this Knott’s world-class roller coasters, live shows, a multitude of carnival games and spooky food, Knott’s Scary Farm warrants more than a single visit to fully experience the park. Given the low cost of entry, it’s entirely feasible. General admission is $50 and the Fright & Fast Lane Passes are $109.
We know we’ll be returning. Knott’s Scary Farm 2021 simply isn’t to be missed.
For more information, including admission, park hours, and events, visit knottsscaryfarm.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the scary conversation by using #ScaryFarm on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
