Step into the Holiday Magic at Knott’s Berry Farm
On December 22, 2025, Knott’s Berry Farm sparkles under crisp winter skies as Knott’s Merry Farm (running through January 4, 2026) transforms Buena Park into a storybook village of lights, shows and seasonal flavors. Whether you’re planning a last-minute holiday outing or an end-of-year getaway, here’s your insider’s guide to making the most of every minute.
Current Park Highlights & Operations
Holiday Closures & Ride Status
- Montezooma’s Revenge remains closed, with a targeted reopening in Summer 2026.
- Silver Bullet returned to service on December 6, and Calico River Rapids reopened December 13 after a week-long refurb.
- Flying Ace Aerial Chase is in light maintenance but expected back by December 24—check the app at entry.
- All other major coasters—GhostRider, HangTime, Sierra Sidewinder, Pony Express, Jaguar!, and Xcelerator—are operating normally.
December 22 Weather & Operations
The forecast for December 22 calls for mostly sunshine, with a high of 69°F and an evening low of 47°F. Wind speeds remain under 10 mph, and rain chances are nil—ideal for evening strolls through Calico Square’s glowing canopy.
Dining Guide: Seasonal & Boysenberry Delights
Knott’s chefs debuted several Merry Farm menus the week of December 15. These crowd-pleasers have already earned buzz on Yelp and Reddit threads:
- Frosted Boysenberry Gelato — $6.49 at Ghost Town Ice Cream. A creamy swirl of tart boysenberry in a frosted waffle cone; available now through January 4.
- Holiday Ham & Swiss Croissant — $8.99 at Grizzly Creek Lodge. Flaky pastry stuffed with smoked ham, gooey Swiss and a smear of boysenberry jam; debuting December 18.
- Peppermint Mocha Hot Chocolate — $5.49 from Calico Square Cocoa Stands. Topped with crushed candy canes and extra marshmallows, perfect for sipping between rides.
- Braised Beef Mac & Cheese — $12.99 at Whittlesey’s Tavern (Boardwalk). Guest-favorite cheddar-ale sauce folded with tender beef; best enjoyed at lunch to beat the dinner line.
Dining Hacks:
- Mobile Order on the Knott’s app is live at Boardwalk BBQ and Grizzly Creek Lodge—reserve your slot 30 minutes in advance to skip queues.
- Bring refillable bottles—complimentary water stations are at Calico Square and in Fiesta Village.
- For allergy-friendly options, visit Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant; gluten-free boysenberry muffins are available at select markets.
Insider Experience Tips
Rope-Drop Route: Arrive by 9:45 AM, enter through Main Gate, then head straight to Ghost Town. Ride GhostRider first, follow with HangTime (single-rider line open), then loop back to Silver Bullet in Fiesta Village.
Fast Lane Strategy: Fast Lane passes start at $139 (peak) when purchased online by midnight; includes one-time priority boarding on all major coasters and unlimited access to Silver Bullet and Timber Mountain Log Ride. Purchase day-of at the ticket booth before rope-drop for savings on off-peak dates ($119).
Rider Switch & Accessibility: Available at Jaguar!, HangTime, GhostRider and Xcelerator—ask any ride attendant. Single-rider lines currently operate on HangTime and Jaguar! only.
Photo & Character Stops:
- Under the Calico Mine Ride sign at dusk for festive lantern backdrops.
- Camp Snoopy’s Holiday Cabin—Snoopy in winter gear appears every 30 minutes.
- Catch the “Snow and Glow” light show at Calico Square nightly at 6:30 PM (plan for a 10-minute showtime queue).
Savings, Tickets & Packages
- SoCal Resident Deal: Single-day admission for $62 (Mon–Thurs) with proof of ZIP code.
- AAA Members: 10% off dining and merchandise—present your card at checkout.
- Military & Veterans: 15% off Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel rates—book direct with ID.
- Season Passes:
- Gold Pass ($149) includes unlimited visits through February 28, 2026, plus Early Ride Time on Sundays (10–11 AM).
- Platinum Pass ($199) adds Soak City admission and discounts on parking, dining and merchandise.
14-Day Crowd Forecast (Dec 22 – Jan 4)
- Dec 22 (Mon): 4/10 — best rope-drop window 10–11 AM near Boardwalk.
- Dec 23 (Tue): 6/10 — moderate waits by afternoon; plan lunch at 11 AM.
- Dec 24–25 (Wed–Thu): 8/10 — peak holiday crowds; use Fast Lane for must-rides.
- Dec 26–28 (Fri–Sun): 9/10 — expect fluctuating waits; catch shows during rush hours.
- Dec 29 (Mon): 5/10 — ideal off-peak; rope-drop Sierra Sidewinder.
- Dec 30 (Tue): 4/10 — minimal midday lines; recommended for families.
- Dec 31 (Wed): 9/10 — New Year’s Eve party; buy event tickets in advance.
- Jan 1 (Thu): 7/10 — moderate with late-morning surges.
- Jan 2–3 (Fri–Sat): 6–7/10 — steady crowds; prioritize coasters early.
- Jan 4 (Sun): 5/10 — last day of Merry Farm; photo ops at Birdcage Theater.
Attraction & Queue Strategy by Ride
- GhostRider: Rope-drop or Fast Lane; ride switch at platform.
- HangTime: Single Rider open; midday lines spike to 45 min.
- Silver Bullet: Covered queue—ideal midday if weather cools.
- Sierra Sidewinder: Back of park pick; wait <15 min before noon.
- Pony Express: Best early; avoid after 2 PM rush.
- Calico Mine Ride & Timber Mountain Log Ride: Fast Lane only; photo-ops at log ride tunnel.
- Jaguar!: Single Rider lane; expect 10 min waits.
- Xcelerator: Peaks mid-afternoon; rope-drop for sub-minute lines.
Must-See Shows & Entertainment
- “Merry Christmas, Snoopy!” at Camp Snoopy Theater
- Showtimes: 11 AM, 1 PM & 3 PM. Ideal for families with kids under 8.
- “Snow and Glow Light Show” at Calico Square
- Nightly at 6:30 PM. Arrive 15 minutes early for prime viewing.
- Ghost Town Streetmosphere: Holiday Edition
- Live carolers and roaming characters from 12–5 PM; great spur-of-the-moment photo ops.
With merry menus, glowing parades and expertly timed ride runs, December 22 at Knott’s Berry Farm promises a seamless balance of thrills and holiday cheer. Lace up your boots, grab that boysenberry gelato, and let the insider tips guide you through a stress-free, festive adventure.