Step Into the Fog at Knott’s Scary Farm 2026: New Mazes, Scare Zones, Shows & Everything You Need to Know

By Erin

If you think Halloween is just about pumpkin patches, costume parties and spooky decorations, Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 is here to remind you that Halloween can get a whole lot darker.

Every fall, Knott’s Berry Farm transforms from a Southern California theme park into a fog-filled nightmare packed with haunted mazes, scare zones, live entertainment and monsters waiting around every corner. And for 2026, Knott’s Scary Farm is bringing back some fan-favorite nightmares while introducing two brand-new mazes, two new shows and a reimagined scare zone.

Knott’s Scary Farm returns on select nights from September 17 through October 31, 2026, at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The event features 10 haunted mazes, five scare zones, live shows and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking throughout the park.

Whether you’re a longtime Scary Farm fan or you’re planning your first visit, here’s everything you need to know about Knott’s Scary Farm 2026, including the new mazes, returning favorites, scare zones, shows, tickets and tips for planning your night. I attended opening night on the 17th, and you DON’T want to miss all the spooky fun in store this spooky season!

When Is Knott’s Scary Farm 2026?

Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 runs September 17 through October 31, 2026, on select nights.

The event takes place at:

Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620

Knott’s Scary Farm is the longest-running Halloween theme park event in Southern California, with more than five decades of nightmares, monsters and Halloween scares.

The 2026 event dates are primarily Thursdays through Sundays, with additional October dates leading up to Halloween. The event does not operate every night, so it’s important to check the official calendar when choosing your visit date.

What Is Knott’s Scary Farm?

Knott’s Scary Farm is an annual Halloween event at Knott’s Berry Farm where the entire theme park transforms after dark into a giant horror experience.

Instead of simply walking through a haunted house, guests can explore multiple themed haunted mazes, scare zones and live shows, while monsters roam throughout the park.

The fog is one of the most recognizable parts of the experience. You never quite know what—or who—you’ll encounter as you move from one area of the park to another.

And that’s part of what makes Scary Farm different from a traditional haunted house.

The entire park becomes part of the experience.

What’s New at Knott’s Scary Farm 2026?

There are two major new haunted mazes debuting at Knott’s Scary Farm in 2026: Inked and Unearthed.

There are also two new shows, Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge and Occultum Curated by Magic Castle, plus a reimagined version of the popular CarnEVIL scare zone.

NEW MAZE: Inked

One of the most intriguing additions to Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 is Inked, a twisted animated nightmare where cartoons aren’t nearly as cute as they look. This was my FAVORITE maze for this year.

The story follows Mortimer Morbid, a washed-up 1930s cartoonist and former head of Morbid Studios.

Mortimer discovers that when blood becomes ink, imagination can become reality.

Determined to create one final Halloween special, he brings his infamous cartoon characters to life.

Unfortunately, his creations aren’t exactly interested in following the script.

Instead, the murderous toons turn on their creator and begin pulling victims into their twisted animated world.

Inked blends classic cartoon imagery with horror, creating a completely different kind of haunted maze experience.

If creepy cartoons are your thing, this one should be high on your list.

NEW MAZE: Unearthed

Prefer ancient mysteries and archaeological nightmares?

Unearthed takes guests on a terrifying expedition to an excavation site where something ancient has gone very, very wrong.

You and your search-and-rescue team arrive at the base of a summit days after receiving a distress signal.

What you discover is far worse than expected.

Ancient tablets have been uncovered—and whatever was awakened by their discovery isn’t exactly happy to see you.

Unearthed combines exploration, ancient evil and supernatural horror as guests venture deeper into an excavation site where an ancient force has been unleashed.

The Returning Knott’s Scary Farm Mazes for 2026

The two new mazes aren’t the only reason to visit Scary Farm this year.

Several returning haunted mazes are back for another season of screams.

Mary – The Haunting of Worth Home

Mary’s story is one of tragedy, betrayal and revenge.

After the tragic death of her family, Mary is violently murdered and buried alive by jealous townspeople who coveted her seemingly perfect family and home.

Now she has returned from the grave.

But Mary isn’t alone.

Her haunted home is filled with nightmarish creatures, and anyone who enters risks becoming part of her quest for revenge.

If you’re looking for a classic haunted-house-style experience filled with ghosts, revenge and disturbing imagery, Mary – The Haunting of Worth Home belongs on your list.

The Zoo

The Zoo takes the idea of an abandoned zoo and turns it into something much more terrifying.

Something has taken over the facility.

What was once a showcase of exotic animals has become a horrifying laboratory where humans and animals have been transformed into terrifying hybrids.

The creatures have turned against their creators, and mutant soldiers now roam the compound.

Expect plenty of strange creatures and some seriously unsettling animal encounters.

Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman

If the idea of being hunted by the Boogeyman wasn’t already scary enough, imagine living inside a dark 18th-century colonial fairy tale where the monster has a taste for human fingers.

That’s the world of Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman.

The maze takes guests into a colonial township under siege by an inhuman creature.

And this isn’t a Boogeyman who simply hides under the bed.

He hunts.

His bite causes sleep paralysis, leaving his victims helpless as he slowly consumes them.

Needless to say, you may want to watch where you’re stepping.

Widows

Arachnophobes, consider yourself warned.

Widows transports guests into a web-covered nursing home where demonic black widow spiders emerge from their tunnels and possess the bodies of the elderly residents.

Their mission?

Find a mate and hatch their eggs before sunrise.

The result is a disturbing spider-filled nightmare where the walls—and possibly the residents—aren’t what they appear to be.

Room 13

Step into the Prohibition era at Room 13, where a mysterious green cocktail may be connected to a series of violent murders.

The Blind Tiger is supposed to be a place for revelry, but something much darker is happening.

The mystery leads toward the extravagant Argive Hotel and its infamous Room 13.

There is just one problem.

Many guests have checked in.

None have checked out.

Cinema Slasher

If you love classic slasher movies, Cinema Slasher puts you directly inside one.

Guests enter the Midnight Theater and are transported through the silver screen into a trilogy of horror films.

But instead of sitting safely in the audience, you’re suddenly part of the movie.

And the Slasher is coming for you.

The Chilling Chambers

For longtime Knott’s Scary Farm fans, The Chilling Chambers is essentially a terrifying trip through Scary Farm history.

Guests follow the Crimson Lord through a series of rooms inspired by infamous monsters and themes from the event’s past.

Each chamber offers a different style of horror, creating a twisted tribute to decades of Knott’s Scary Farm nightmares.

Origins: The Curse of Calico

The fog surrounding Knott’s Scary Farm has a story.

Origins: The Curse of Calico takes guests back through time to uncover the mysterious paranormal activity haunting the town.

Sarah Marshall is accused of witchcraft and put on trial, while the evil surrounding Calico begins to reveal itself.

For fans who enjoy the lore and storytelling behind Knott’s Scary Farm, Origins is one maze worth slowing down for.

Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 Scare Zones

The scares don’t stop when you leave a maze.

One of the things that makes Knott’s Scary Farm so immersive is the number of monsters roaming the park.

There are five scare zones in 2026, including the reimagined CarnEVIL.

Reimagined CarnEVIL

The Boardwalk gets a new dose of madness in 2026 with a reimagined version of CarnEVIL.

Under the control of the hypnotist Mesmer, the circus has become even more sinister.

Expect deviant clowns, cutthroats, bizarre sideshow characters and plenty of reasons to question whether you should have walked into the circus in the first place.

The sideshow isn’t just part of the attraction.

You are the main event.

Ghost Town Streets

If you’re a longtime Scary Farm fan, you probably already know about Ghost Town Streets.

This is the original Knott’s Scary Farm scare zone and one of the experiences that helped define the event.

The fog rolls through Ghost Town while half-human, half-animal monsters roam the streets.

And then there are the infamous Sliders.

They have a habit of appearing out of nowhere, so don’t assume that empty patch of fog is actually empty.

The Gore-ing ’20s

Step into the dark decadence of the 1920s in The Gore-ing ’20s.

Gangsters run illicit hooch while ghostly revelers and supernatural musicians bring the era back to life.

There is even a secret password.

Just remember: getting inside may be the easy part.

Forsaken Lake

Something sinister has been hiding beneath Silver Bullet.

In Forsaken Lake, gothic creatures emerge from the dark waters and wander through their crypts searching for unsuspecting victims.

The creatures have been ravaged by the murky waters—and they’re looking for people to drag back into their watery graves.

The Gauntlet

Enter a dark medieval realm in The Gauntlet, where kings, queens, jesters, barbarians, wizards and lawless peasants create a chaotic world of fantasy horror.

It’s less “once upon a time” and more “hopefully you make it out alive.”

New Shows at Knott’s Scary Farm 2026

Not every terrifying experience at Scary Farm involves walking through a maze.

Two new shows are joining the 2026 lineup.

Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge

At the Calico Mine Stage, Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge brings the atmosphere of a haunted Louisiana cemetery to life.

Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen, guides guests into the court of Baron Samedi, the Lwa of the dead.

Expect dancers, drums, flames, fog and a cemetery that seems to wake up around you.

Occultum Curated by Magic Castle

For something completely different, head to the Bird Cage Theatre for Occultum Curated by Magic Castle.

This experience features magicians from the world-famous Magic Castle.

Instead of monsters jumping out of the darkness, you’ll experience an evening of magic, mystery and illusion inside the beautifully restored theater.

It’s a great option if you need a break from the screaming—but still want something mysterious.

The Hanging: Noose Maxxxing Returns

One of Knott’s Scary Farm’s most recognizable shows is back for 2026.

The Hanging – Noose Maxxxing returns to Wagon Camp.

The show once again brings the town of Calico under siege as the Lawman and Hangman battle a collection of villains in an over-the-top production filled with gore, comedy and pop-culture references.

If you’ve never experienced The Hanging, it’s one of the classic Scary Farm traditions worth checking out.

Just keep in mind that the show contains adult themes and is not suitable for children.

How Much Are Knott’s Scary Farm Tickets in 2026?

Single-night Knott’s Scary Farm tickets currently start at $65, with pricing varying by date and taxes potentially applying.

For people planning to visit multiple times, the 2026 Scary Farm Pass is currently $164 and provides admission to the event all season long, while limited quantities remain.

Knott’s also offers Fright & Fast Lane, which starts at $139 and provides priority access to haunted mazes and select rides. Event admission is sold separately.

Knott’s Scary Farm Ticket Options at a Glance

Single-night ticket: From $65
Scary Farm 2026 Pass: $164
Fright & Fast Lane: From $139
Group tickets: Available for groups of 15 or more
Hotel packages: Available at Knott’s Hotel

Prices can change, so check the official Knott’s Scary Farm ticket page before purchasing.

Is Knott’s Scary Farm Fright & Fast Lane Worth It?

If your main goal is to experience as many mazes as possible in one night, Fright & Fast Lane can be worth considering.

Knott’s Scary Farm has 10 mazes in 2026, along with five scare zones and multiple shows. With so much happening throughout the park, waiting in long maze lines can eat up a significant portion of your night.

Fright & Fast Lane provides priority access to the haunted mazes and select rides, allowing you to spend more time experiencing attractions rather than standing in queues.

If you’re visiting on a particularly busy Friday or Saturday in October—or you only have one night to experience Scary Farm—it’s an option worth looking into.

Is Knott’s Scary Farm Good for Kids?

Knott’s Scary Farm is not recommended for children under 13 because of the event’s frightening and explicit nature.

This is very different from Knott’s Spooky Farm, which is the park’s separate family-friendly Halloween experience.

Parents and families should also be aware that a chaperone policy is in effect during Scary Farm nights. Guests 15 and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old.

If you’re looking for a Halloween event for younger children, Scary Farm probably isn’t the experience you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for a genuinely scary Halloween night, however, that’s exactly the point.

What Should You Do First at Knott’s Scary Farm?

If you’re trying to maximize your night, don’t simply wander into the park without a plan.

Here are a few strategies that can help:

1. Arrive early

Being near the front of the park when the event begins can give you a head start on popular mazes.

2. Prioritize the new mazes

If you’ve never been to Scary Farm before, or you’re a returning fan, start with Inked and Unearthed.

They’re the newest experiences of 2026 and are likely to be high on many guests’ must-do lists.

3. Don’t ignore the scare zones

The mazes get most of the attention, but the scare zones are a huge part of what makes Scary Farm unique.

Give yourself time to walk through Ghost Town Streets, CarnEVIL, The Gore-ing ’20s, Forsaken Lake and The Gauntlet.

4. Make time for at least one show

If you need a break from the mazes, check out one of the live shows. I highly recommend seeing the Voodoo show!

Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge and Occultum Curated by Magic Castle give you completely different experiences.

5. Consider Fright & Fast Lane

If you’re visiting on a busy night and want to experience as many mazes as possible, the priority-access option can make a big difference.

Can You Stay Overnight for Knott’s Scary Farm?

Yes!

If you’re traveling to Buena Park for Scary Farm, Knott’s Hotel offers special Scary Farm overnight packages during the event.

Packages include an overnight stay, Knott’s Scary Farm admission, a collectible hotel key card and hotel parking. Select packages can also include perks such as early entry, a pre-scare dinner, breakfast, a Scary Farm T-shirt and Fright & Fast Lane.

For visitors traveling from Los Angeles, San Diego or farther away, staying overnight can turn Scary Farm into a full Halloween getaway rather than a single evening at the park.

Why Knott’s Scary Farm Is One of Southern California’s Best Halloween Events

There are plenty of Halloween attractions throughout Los Angeles and Orange County, but Knott’s Scary Farm has something that is difficult for smaller haunted attractions to replicate.

The entire theme park becomes the haunted attraction.

You’re not simply walking through one haunted house.

You’re walking through a full theme park after dark while fog fills the streets, monsters roam between attractions, scare zones surround you and haunted mazes transport you into completely different worlds.

One minute you’re walking through Ghost Town.

The next, you’re surrounded by monsters.

Then you’re watching a magic show inside the Bird Cage Theatre or trying to figure out how you’re going to survive the latest haunted maze.

And just when you think you’ve gotten comfortable…

Someone probably jumps out of the fog.

Knott’s Scary Farm 2026: What You Need to Know

Event: Knott’s Scary Farm
Location: Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
2026 dates: September 17–October 31, select nights
Mazes: 10
Scare zones: 5
New mazes: Inked and Unearthed
New shows: Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge and Occultum Curated by Magic Castle
Returning show: The Hanging – Noose Maxxxing
Single-night tickets: From $65
2026 Scary Farm Pass: $164
Fright & Fast Lane: From $139, admission not included
Recommended age: Not recommended for children under 13

Ticket prices and event information can change, so check the official Knott’s Scary Farm website before your visit.

Final Thoughts: Are You Ready to Step Into the Fog?

Knott’s Scary Farm 2026 is shaping up to be another massive Halloween season in Southern California.

With two new haunted mazes, two new shows, five scare zones, returning favorites and thousands of opportunities to get scared, there’s plenty to experience between September and Halloween.

Whether you’re a hardcore horror fan looking to conquer every maze, a Halloween lover looking for a fun night out with friends, or someone who simply wants to see what all the fog and screaming is about, Knott’s Scary Farm offers a Halloween experience that’s hard to ignore.

Just remember one thing:

Once you step into the fog, you never really know what’s waiting for you.