Welcome to Knott’s Berry Farm’s Merry Magic
On Sunday, November 23, 2025, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park swings open its gates at 10:00 AM and keeps the merriment rolling until 10:00 PM. With Knott’s Merry Farm now through January 4, the park is alive with twinkling lights, festive shows and seasonal cuisine that will have you singing “fa-la-la” all day long.
Plan Your Day: Crowd, Weather & Ride Status
- Crowd Forecast (Nov 23–Dec 6): Expect busy to very busy levels on weekends and evenings. Weekdays (Nov 24–27) dip to moderate, with midweek Tuesday/Wednesday (Nov 25–26) showing the lowest waits. Peak nights are Fri/Sat after dark when the lights hit full glow.
- Weather & Operations: Forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, highs near 72°F, lows around 55°F. Light breeze out of the west should not impact outdoor shows. If a shower drifts by, indoor attractions like Calico Mine Ride and Camp Snoopy’s PEANUTS Sketch School are perfect cover.
- Notable Ride Status:
- GhostRider: Running reliably with average waits of 25–35 minutes midday.
- HangTime: Online; expect 20–30 minute queues before noon, spike to 40+ minutes mid-afternoon.
- Silver Bullet & Sierra Sidewinder: Both operating normally, moderate waits (15–25 minutes).
- Calico Mine Ride & Timber Mountain Log Ride: Fully open—great rainy-day escapes if sprinkles roll in.
- Knott’s Bear-y Tales: Returning for Merry Farm with a 15–20 minute wait; don’t miss the updated holiday overlay.
- Pony Express, Jaguar!, Xcelerator, MonteZOOMa: All confirmed open; single rider lines currently available on Pony Express (10–15 minute wait).
- Fast Lane & Passholder Perks: Fast Lane pricing starts at $45 today; grab it at park entry to skip lines on up to 10 rides. Gold Season Passholders enjoy free Fast Lane on weekdays (Nov 24–27) plus Early Ride Time from 9:00–10:00 AM in Fiesta Village.
Holiday Flavors & Dining Secrets
Merry Farm means boysenberry crafters have outdone themselves. Here’s what to munch—and when:
- Boysenberry Churro: $7.50 at Churro Factory (near entrance), available daily through Jan 4. Topped with festive sugar and a dipping cup of boysenberry sauce.
- Seasonal Boozy Boysenberry Fizz: $14 at Wagon Wheel Ice Cream. Tart, bubbly and photo-worthy; crowd favorite since it launched Nov 17.
- Holiday Turkey Poutine: $12 at Ghost Town Grill. House-made turkey gravy, cranberry compote and cheese curds—perfect comfort fuel.
- Peppermint Berry Crisp Sundae: $9.25 at Beach Bums Ice Cream. Peppermint ice cream layered with boysenberry crumble for a sweet-salty twist.
Mobile order is live at all full-service spots; early lunch between 11:00 AM–12:00 PM or post-parade between 2:30–4:00 PM yields shortest pickup waits. Bring refillable bottles—the park offers free ice water at drink stations near Corkscrew Hill and Fiesta Plaza.
Insider Touring Tips
- Rope-Drop Route: Start at Ghost Town, ride GhostRider → Calico Mine Ride → Sierra Sidewinder. Circulate to Fiesta Village for HangTime by 10:45 AM.
- Single Rider: Pony Express opens its single rider lane daily; ideal between 11:00 AM–1:00 PM.
- Rider Switch: Available at all major coasters—ask in queue to minimize wait for little ones.
- Photo Ops & Characters: Holiday-decorated Main Street gazebo (8:30 AM–9:30 AM) for no-line pictures; Snoopy & peers rotate through Fiesta Stage hourly.
- Shows to Catch:
- “A Christmas Carol” Musical (Calico Mine Stage): Runs at 1:00, 3:00 & 5:00 PM. Dickensian charm—ideal for families.
- Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting (Camp Snoopy): At 6:00 PM, then nightly sing-alongs—perfect for kids.
- Holiday Ice Show (Fiesta Stage): 7:30 PM—live skaters, snow flurries; best for date nights.
Savings, Tickets & Hotel Stays
- SoCal Resident Deal: $49.99 one-day ticket (online only) valid Mon–Thurs through Dec 11. Use code SOCALJOY.
- Military Discount: 15% off any one-day ticket at ticket booths with ID.
- Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel Holiday Package: From $229/night includes 1-day park admission, breakfast buffet, free parking, all-day drink wristbands. Valid check-ins Nov 21–Dec 30.
- Season Pass Highlights: Gold Passholders get 20% off select dining (excludes alcohol) and unlimited Fast Lane weekdays.
2-Week Crowd & Calendar Snapshot
- Nov 23 (Sun): Very busy “gateway” crowds, sunset lines spike 5:00–7:00 PM.
- Nov 24–26 (Mon–Wed): Moderate—ideal for Fast Lane-free weekdays and shorter snack waits.
- Nov 27 (Thu): Rising—holiday travel buildup; skip midday meals in favor of late lunches.
- Nov 28–29 (Fri–Sat): Very busy—peak Merry Farm weekend energy; rope-drop is essential.
- Nov 30–Dec 6: Weekdays stay moderate; weekends high. Dec 1 (Mon) is your best shot for budget-friendly, lower wait times.
When headliners run long, pivot to lesser-known gems: Knott’s Bear-y Tales (10 min wait), Jaguar! (10–15 min) or live shows until crowds thin post-parade.
Wrap-Up
With Knott’s Merry Farm in full swing, now’s the time to savor seasonal eats, nab window-lining Fast Lanes and embrace holiday cheer under the California sky. Early mornings and midweek escapes deliver the smoothest experience—see you at the Farm!