Knott’s Scary Farm is delivering some fantastic thrills this year, keeping the classic haunt traditions alive while introducing fresh, creative experiences. With two new mazes, three brand new shows, a reimagined scare zone, and two beloved mazes in their final season, 2026 is one of the strongest lineups yet, and it is all happening at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park on select nights through Halloween.
Inked was easily my favorite maze of the event because it tapped into my love for nostalgic, black-and-white cartoons. The character outside reminded me of Steamboat Willie, which felt like a fun, playful dig at our neighbors at Disneyland. The costumes and bright lighting made everything visually striking, and that backstory video in the line gave such great context. The puppet moment was genuinely silly and fun, and seeing the innovative LED fire tunnel was incredible. I also loved the clever reference to the former maze with a nod to Mr. Zoetrope.
Unearthed was a standout for its incredibly moody set design. Stepping down into that excavation site, especially with the fog swamp section, felt like being thrust straight into a search-and-rescue mission with a deep sense of dread. The Anunnaki army emerging from the shadows was chilling, and the clever staging of the archer above really made me feel like I was dodging arrows. I loved the little details like the moving stakes in the ground, the impressive stilt walkers, and that giant wolf character that was just so creepy and fascinating to watch.
Shout out to all the returning mazes for doing a fantastic job. I will always hold a special place in my heart for The Chilling Chambers, especially with it being its final year, as it was incredible to see all those different props and classic scenes from past mazes come back to life. Origins: The Curse of Calico is also in its final season, so if either of those is on your list, this is the year to see them.
Exploring Mary The Haunting of Worth Home was easily the most chilling experience of the night. Because we hit this maze when the crowds were focused on the new attractions, my partner and I went through it entirely alone. This felt like having a private show, and the actors were brilliant at capitalizing on us being isolated. They waited until our backs were turned to strike, and every scare felt incredibly personal.
The scare zones are carrying their weight this year too. The reimagined CarnEVIL on the Boardwalk, now under the watchful eye of Mesmer, was filled with beautiful costumes and impressive scares. The lighting package, combined with the incredibly talented performers, brings that demented circus atmosphere to life, making the streets feel chaotic and wonderfully immersive. The Gauntlet in Camp Snoopy is pure chaos with its towering figures and brutal barbarians. The energy here is relentless, and the sliders bring an incredible level of adrenaline as they lunge right into the fog. What really stood out to me this year was the physicality and chemistry among the actors. I witnessed a mini-show where three characters staged a dramatic fight that I initially feared was real, but it turned out to be a brilliant staged interaction that became one of my favorite memories of the entire event. Ghost Town Streets, Forsaken Lake, and the Gore-ing ’20s all return as well, so there is no shortage of monsters or fog on the walkways between mazes.
The shows this season are top notch. Occultum in the historic Bird Cage Theatre is a collaboration with the Magic Castle, and it was magical in every sense. Dark magic and mind-bending illusions with a different magician taking the stage every weekend. It was the show I was most excited about this season and it did not disappoint. Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge on the Calico Mine Stage is a musical celebration hosted by Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. And while I did not have time to catch The Hanging this year, I have to appreciate a show that paid homage to both Tim Curry and Dolly Parton.
My biggest tip for anyone attending is to skip the long lines at the opening rush for the new mazes and hit the returning haunts first. It gives you the real, immersive magic of the design, and if you are lucky, a maze all to yourself. If you go, budget for the whole night. Ten mazes, five scare zones, and three brand new shows is a full evening or if you can invest in the season pass for multiple nights that’s even better.
*Thank you Knott’s for inviting me to media night to cover the event.