One of Los Angeles’ most eagerly awaited haunted attractions is already selling tickets for the 2026 Halloween season: Knott’s Scary Farm, the massive theme park event that has been delivering chills for more than 53 terrifying years.
L.A.’s deep well of film-industry talent shows up across many local Halloween experiences, but Knott’s Scary Farm raises the bar with a sprawling, fully immersive production that stretches across all 160 acres of the Knott’s Berry Farm property.
For roughly six weeks each fall, the theme park is completely reimagined as a nightmarish landscape of Halloween entertainment, typically featuring multiple haunted mazes, several expansive scare zones, sinister live shows, and more than 1,000 costumed performers prowling the grounds as monsters and other terrifying creatures.
If you’re bold enough to face Knott’s Scary Farm this year, you can already reserve tickets for select nights from Sept. 17 to Oct. 31, 2026.
A full-park Halloween transformation
The Knott’s Scary Farm experience is known for its intensity. Actors in full costume roam freely, interacting with guests and creating unpredictable moments around every corner. Fog-filled streets, detailed set design, and original storylines help blur the line between theme park and horror production.
Although the exact themes of the mazes and scare zones for 2026 are still under wraps, longtime fans can expect a mix of returning concepts and new creative additions. The event consistently evolves year to year, introducing fresh narratives while maintaining classic elements that have become staples over its five-decade run.
From local haunt to industry pioneer
Knott’s Scary Farm began in 1973 as a modest three-night event called “Knott’s Halloween Haunt,” featuring costumed employees in the park’s Ghost Town area. What started as a simple seasonal experiment quickly grew into a phenomenon.
Over the years, it expanded into a full-scale production with dedicated mazes, themed zones, and professional performers. Today, it is widely recognized as the longest-running Halloween theme park event in Southern California—and one of the first of its kind anywhere.
Its influence can be seen across the theme park industry, helping inspire the now-common concept of large-scale Halloween takeovers at major parks.
Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 at a glance
📍 Location: Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA
📅 Dates: Sept. 17 – Oct. 31, 2026
🌐 Website: Knott’s Scary Farm
