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Knott’s Scary Farm Guide 2026: Mazes, Scare Zones, Food & Tickets
Sep 18
9 min read
Updated: Sep 21
Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 is back at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, transforming the theme park into one of Southern California’s biggest Halloween events. From haunted mazes and scare zones to Halloween food, live entertainment and roaming monsters, there is a lot to experience in a single night.
If you’re planning a visit to Knott’s Scary Farm 2026, having a game plan can help you spend less time waiting in lines and more time experiencing the event.
This Knott’s Scary Farm Guide covers event dates, all 10 haunted mazes, five scare zones, Halloween food and drinks, Boo-fet early entry, and the Fright & Fast Lane option for guests who want to experience as much as possible in one night.
Knott's Scary Farm Guide Table of Contents
Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 Dates
Knott’s Scary Farm runs on select nights from September 17 through October 31, 2026.
The 2026 dates include:
September: 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 and 27
October: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 and 31.
Because Scary Farm is a separately ticketed Halloween event, guests need a Scary Farm admission ticket for the night they plan to attend.
Knott’s Scary Farm Mazes 2026
Before your visit, take a look at the official 2026 Knott’s Scary Farm event map. Knowing where the mazes, scare zones, food locations and entertainment are located can save valuable time once you enter the park.
One of the biggest reasons people visit Scary Farm is the haunted maze lineup. In 2026, guests can experience 10 haunted mazes, including two new mazes.
TIP: Consider starting Counterclockwise for the fastest route - you may need to accommodate the show times differently but if mazes are your priority you might want to try this. We knocked out 4 mazes in under an hour with the Fright Lane pass by starting with Mary.
1. Inked — New for 2026
Inked is one of the new haunted mazes coming to Knott’s Scary Farm in 2026.
The story follows Mortimer Morbid, a 1930s cartoonist whose blood-infused ink brings his drawings to life. Unfortunately, his creations aren't exactly interested in being friendly.
This new maze takes guests into a twisted cartoon world where the artwork comes alive. This was my favorite new addition!
2. Unearthed — New for 2026
Another new addition to Knott’s Scary Farm 2026, Unearthed takes guests into a terrifying world where something horrifying has been disturbed beneath the surface.
With two new mazes debuting this year, fans may want to prioritize both Inked and Unearthed early in the evening. The freight pass was substantially shorter even at 9 pm. This line opens later than the rest so you might want to zip through the rest before standing here for an hour waiting for them to open.
3. Mary: The Haunting of Worth Home
Mary: The Haunting of Worth Home takes guests inside the terrifying Worth family home.
This returning Scary Farm maze is located in the Ghost Town area and is one of the mazes available during Boo-fet early entry.
4. The Zoo
Things have gone horribly wrong at The Zoo.
Instead of encountering cute animals, guests will encounter terrifying creatures as they make their way through this returning Knott’s Scary Farm maze.
The Zoo is also part of the early-entry maze lineup for Boo-fet guests.
5. Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman
The Boogeyman is back.
Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman takes guests into an 18th-century colonial town where a terrifying creature is searching for its next victims.
It's another maze that can be experienced during the early-entry period with the Boo-fet package.
6. Widows
If you don't like spiders, Widows may be one maze to approach with caution.
The attraction transforms a nursing home into a terrifying environment overrun by giant black widow spiders.
Widows is also one of the four mazes available during Boo-fet early entry.
7. Room 13
Enter the Prohibition-era world of Room 13, where the Blind Tiger and its mysterious Devil's Elixir are connected to a series of terrifying events.
Room 13 is located in the GORE-ing 20s scare zone, making it easy to combine the maze with the surrounding scare zone.
8. Cinema Slasher
Lights. Camera. Scream!
Cinema Slasher brings guests into the Midnight Theater for a horror-filled trip through movie-inspired environments.
Fans of previous Scary Farm attractions may recognize some familiar elements incorporated into the experience.
9. The Chilling Chambers
Prepare yourself for a journey through multiple terrifying environments in The Chilling Chambers.
Give yourself plenty of time for this experience, especially if you are trying to complete all 10 Knott’s Scary Farm mazes in one night.
10. Origins: The Curse of Calico
Origins: The Curse of Calico is one of the signature Scary Farm attractions.
The maze incorporates the history and mythology of Knott's Ghost Town and brings the story of Calico to life in terrifying fashion.
If you're a longtime Knott's fan, this is one maze to put on your list.
Knott’s Scary Farm Scare Zones 2026
The haunted mazes aren't the only places where you'll encounter monsters.
Knott’s Scary Farm also features five scare zones, where creatures roam the streets and interact with guests.
Ghost Town Streets
Perhaps the most iconic Scary Farm experience, Ghost Town Streets transforms Knott's historic Ghost Town into a fog-filled nightmare.
Don't rush through this area on your way to a maze. Take some time to explore and see what creatures emerge from the fog.
The Gauntlet
The Gauntlet brings another collection of monsters and frightening encounters to the park.
It's also an area you'll likely pass through as you travel between attractions.
CarnEvil
Step right up to CarnEvil, where the circus has gone terribly wrong.
Sinister clowns and other creepy characters make this scare zone especially memorable for horror fans—and particularly unsettling for anyone who doesn't like clowns. We loved this zone!
Forsaken Lake
The atmosphere changes dramatically at Forsaken Lake, where fog and darkness create a spooky environment filled with lurking creatures.
GORE-ing 20s
Travel back to the Prohibition era at GORE-ing 20s.
This 1920s-inspired scare zone combines gangsters, music, dancers and supernatural horror.
It's also home to Room 13, making this a natural pairing when planning your evening. This was so unique and a lot of fun! Dancing and live music made it a real MUST SEE!
Knott’s Scary Farm Food 2026
Halloween food has become an attraction of its own at Knott's Scary Farm.
If you're looking for Knott’s Scary Farm food in 2026, there are plenty of creative savory dishes, desserts and specialty drinks to try.
Here are some of the foods that caught our attention:
Stabbed Cheddar
Strictly-On-A-Stick serves a deep-fried cheddar stick topped with nacho cheese and Hot Cheeto crumbs.
Voodoo Fries
Papas Mexicanas serves Voodoo Fries topped with andouille sausage, Monterey and cheddar cheese, jalapeños and Voodoo sauce.
Ghosteroni Pizza
Prop Shop Pizzeria gets into the Halloween spirit with Ghosteroni Pizza, featuring spicy Alfredo sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella.
Birria Flautas in a Cup
Baja Taqueria offers Birria Flautas in a Cup, a convenient savory option for enjoying while exploring the park.
The Zoo Tots
Calico Tater Bites serves The Zoo Tots, featuring ground beef, American cheese sauce, grilled onions and Thousand Island dressing.
Korean BBQ Short Rib
Boardwalk BBQ's Korean BBQ Short Rib comes with a hot honey glazed peewee potato.
Jalapeño Popper Burger
Sutter's Grill serves a Jalapeño Popper Burger topped with jalapeño popper spread and bacon bits.
Pastrami Fries
Wilderness Dogs and Drinks serves Pastrami Fries with spicy Thousand Island dressing, grilled onions, cheese sauce and banana peppers.
Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Desserts
Don't leave without trying at least one Halloween dessert.
Some of the standout options include:
Zombie Brain Funnel Cake — Green funnel cake with strawberry mousse and raspberry sauce.
Midnight Blueberry Cheesecake Funnel Cake — Cheesecake filling, blueberries, graham crackers and vanilla soft serve.
Cemetery Churro Bites — Churro bites with green apple frosting, gummy worms, Oreo crumbs and Halloween sprinkles.
Poison Apple Funnel Cake — Apple mousse, fresh apples and caramel sauce.
Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Drinks
Scary Farm also offers specialty Halloween drinks throughout the park.
Some of the 2026 options include:
Inferno Margarita (Spicy)
Stake Through the Heart
Toxic Waste
From the Grave
Ectoplasm
Transfusion (blood bag)
Zombie Juice (blood bag)
Non-alcoholic options include the Black Magic Mocktail, Pixie Potion Blood Bag, Vampire's Kiss Blood Bag and Enchanted Elixir.
If you're visiting with a group, checking out the specialty beverage menu can be a fun way to add another Halloween-themed element to your night. Just remember they will make you throw out open containers before rides and mazes.
Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet: Get Early Maze Access
If you're trying to maximize your time at Scary Farm, consider adding the Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet to your plans.
The Boo-fet combines dinner with early access to select Scary Farm mazes before the event officially opens to the general public.
That makes it more than just a meal.
Which Mazes Can You Do Early With Boo-fet?
Boo-fet guests can get early access to four mazes:
Mary: The Haunting of Worth Home
The Zoo
Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman
Widows
Early entry can give you a significant head start on your evening.
Can Boo-fet Save You Time?
Yes, that's one of the biggest reasons to consider it.
Instead of using the beginning of your evening to stand in four regular maze lines, you can eat dinner and then use the early-entry period to experience four mazes before the general crowd has access.
If your goal is to experience as much of Knott’s Scary Farm as possible in one night, that head start can be especially valuable.
Can Boo-fet Save You Money?
Potentially.
If you were already planning to purchase dinner inside the park, combining your meal with early maze access can provide additional value compared with buying dinner separately and then waiting in regular maze lines.
It's important to compare the current Boo-fet price with your individual dining plans because pricing and package details can change.
Fright & Fast Lane: The Other Way to Save Time
Another option for guests who want to experience as many mazes as possible is Fright & Fast Lane.
Fright & Fast Lane allows guests to bypass the regular lines for participating haunted attractions and select rides.
This is particularly useful if your goal is:
"I want to see all 10 mazes in one night."
Unlike Boo-fet, which gives you an early start, Fright & Fast Lane helps you save time throughout the evening.
Boo-fet vs. Fright & Fast Lane
Boo-fet
Dinner included
Early entry
Early access to four mazes
Helps you get ahead of the general crowd
Best suited for guests who want to combine dinner with an early start
Fright & Fast Lane
Separate add-on
Skip regular lines at participating attractions
Helps reduce wait times throughout the night
Particularly useful for guests trying to complete all the mazes
For serious maze fans, combining Boo-fet early entry with Fright & Fast Lane can give you both an early head start and shorter waits later in the evening.
How to Do All 10 Knott’s Scary Farm Mazes in One Night
If completing every maze is your goal, don't leave your evening to chance.
1. Arrive Early
Get to Knott's before the event begins so you aren't starting your night already behind schedule.
2. Consider Boo-fet
Use the early-entry benefit to experience:
Mary → The Zoo → Eight Fingers Nine → Widows
3. Prioritize the New Mazes
Once the event opens, consider making Inked and Unearthed priorities.
4. Use the Map
Group attractions by location whenever possible.
Walking back and forth across the park wastes valuable time.
5. Don't Spend Your Peak Hours Eating
Pick the food items you really want to try and plan your food stops around your maze strategy.
6. Consider Fright & Fast Lane
If completing all 10 mazes is your priority, the line-skipping option can dramatically reduce the amount of time spent waiting.
7. Save Time for the Scare Zones
Remember that Scary Farm isn't just about the mazes.
Build in some time to experience Ghost Town Streets, CarnEvil, Forsaken Lake, The Gauntlet and GORE-ing 20s.
Knott’s Scary Farm Tips for First-Time Visitors
Wear comfortable shoes. You're going to do a lot of walking.
Arrive early. Especially if you want to experience multiple mazes.
Study the map before entering. It can help you create an efficient route.
Don't underestimate the scare zones. Some of the best atmospheric experiences happen while you're simply walking through the park. We loved the clowns!
Plan your food stops. The Halloween menu is extensive, and popular locations can get busy.
Check attraction and entertainment times. If you want to see shows as well as mazes, you'll need to account for their schedules. Use the app for times!
Consider your priorities. You probably won't be able to do absolutely everything at a leisurely pace in one night.
Is Knott’s Scary Farm Worth Visiting?
For Halloween fans looking for a full-night Halloween experience in Southern California, Knott’s Scary Farm offers a combination of haunted mazes, scare zones, entertainment, themed food and Halloween atmosphere throughout the park.
The best strategy depends on your goals.
Want a relaxed Halloween night? Take your time, explore the scare zones and enjoy the food.
Want to see as many mazes as possible? Consider Boo-fet early entry and/or Fright & Fast Lane.
Want to experience everything? Arrive early, study the map, plan your route and be prepared to keep moving.
And don't forget to stop occasionally and enjoy the fog.
That's part of what makes Knott's Scary Farm a Southern California Halloween tradition.
Plan Your Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 Visit
Event: Knott's Scary Farm
Location:Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
Dates:September 17–October 31, 2026, select nights
Mazes:10
Scare Zones:5
2026 Event Map: View the Knott's Scary Farm map
For ticket information, current prices, Boo-fet availability and Fright & Fast Lane options, check the official Knott's Scary Farm website before your visit.
More Southern California Halloween Guides
Looking for more Halloween experiences in Southern California? Check out more Halloween coverage from SoCal Travel Blog, including theme parks, haunted attractions, Halloween events, food and things to do throughout Southern California.
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