Knott's Spooky Farm 2026: Daytime Halloween Fun for Little Kids!
Is there a Halloween outing that works for a three-year-old who is terrified of the neighbor's inflatable skeleton? We think so. Knott's Spooky Farm is the daytime, not-scary side of Halloween at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, and for 2026 it runs Thursdays through Sundays from September 24 to October 31, plus Columbus Day.
The whole idea is simple: little ghouls trick-or-treat through Ghost Town, meet Snoopy and the Peanuts gang in their Halloween best, and catch a few silly shows, all before the sun goes down. Below, we break down what's included in Knott's Spooky Farm 2026, what it costs, the costume rules, how it differs from Knott's Scary Farm, and a realistic game plan for toddlers and preschoolers.
What Is Knott's Spooky Farm?
Knott's Spooky Farm is a family-friendly daytime Halloween celebration at Knott's Berry Farm. The park's own tagline for it is "All Fun. No Fear," and that is a pretty accurate description. Think pumpkins, cobwebs, candy, and cartoon characters rather than monsters jumping out of fog.
The event is built around Ghost Town and Calico, the Old West heart of the park, with extra activities sprinkled nearby. Meanwhile, the rest of Knott's stays open as usual, so your kids can mix trick-or-treating with rides in Camp Snoopy.
Who Is Knott's Spooky Farm Best For?
Spooky Farm is designed with young kids in mind. Toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kids will get the most out of it, since the activities lean toward candy, characters, crafts, and music.
Older siblings won't be bored, though. The full park and its coasters are open during the day, so a 10-year-old can ride Silver Bullet while a preschooler hunts for lollipops. Everyone wins, and nobody has to pretend to be scared.
Knott's Spooky Farm 2026 Dates, Hours, and Location
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620
Dates: Thursdays through Sundays, September 24 to October 31, 2026, plus Columbus Day (Monday, October 12)
Hours: Daytime only, during regular park hours
Price: Included with Knott's Berry Farm park admission (some activities cost extra)
Spooky Farm only runs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, plus the Columbus Day holiday. If you visit on a regular Tuesday or Wednesday in October, the park is open, but the Spooky Farm activities are not part of the day. Plan accordingly, especially if your preschooler has been promised candy.
Because Knott's transforms into Scary Farm on many October evenings, daytime hours during Spooky Farm are shorter than you might expect, and the park often closes in the late afternoon. Hours change by date, so always check the official Knott's Berry Farm park hours calendar for your exact day before you go.
Parent tip: Arriving right at opening is the single best thing you can do. The morning is cooler, lines are shorter, and your little ones will be at their happiest before lunch.
What's Included at Knott's Spooky Farm 2026
Here's everything on the official 2026 Spooky Farm lineup, with the locations from the park's 2026 event guide. Show times vary by day, so download the Six Flags app for the day's schedule once you arrive.
Trick-or-Treat Stations in Ghost Town
Candy is the headliner. Trick-or-treat stations are scattered around the shops and buildings of Ghost Town, and kids can make their way from one to the next to fill their buckets. It feels a bit like trick-or-treating in a tiny Old West town, minus the hills and the doorbells.
Parent tip: Bring your own bucket or bag, and a small zip-top bag for the candy you'll "save for later." Our trick-or-treat safety tips work just as well in a theme park as they do on your block.
Spooktivities! With Charlie Brown and Snoopy
At Calico Park, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and their friends host Spooktivities!, a full day of Halloween games, music, and spooky stories. This is the spot where you'll find your kids' favorite Peanuts characters dressed for the season.
For little kids who love Snoopy, this may be the highlight of the day. Have your camera ready, and prepare a backup plan if your toddler decides that a very large beagle is a little too much in person.
Snoopy's Spooktacular Costume Party
Held at the Calico Mine Stage, Snoopy's Spooktacular Costume Party invites "ghouls of all ages" to show off their costumes and celebrate with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. If your child has been wearing their costume around the house since August, this is their moment.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
The legendary Bob Baker Marionette Theater brings a spooky puppet show to the Bird Cage Theatre in Ghost Town. The Bob Baker Marionette Theater at Knott's is a genuine Southern California tradition, and the marionettes are a nice change of pace from screens and rides.
The indoor theater is also a welcome break from the sun. Grab a seat, let the stroller rest, and let the puppets do the work for a while.
Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies
Also at the Calico Mine Stage, Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies bring high-energy country music and comedy. It's loud, goofy, and very toddler-approved, especially for kids who like to dance in the aisles.
Creepy Critters of Calico
At the Livery Stable, the Creepy Critters Corral introduces kids to spiders, bugs, and other small creatures. Knott's promises they're as friendly as everyone else at Spooky Farm. Curious kids will love it, and squeamish parents can cheer from a safe distance.
Pumpkin Patch and Cookie Decorating
Right in Calico Park, a pumpkin patch sets the scene for cookie decorating. Kids decorate their own Halloween cookie surrounded by pumpkins, which also makes for a great photo backdrop. Note that this activity has an additional fee, and the price is not listed on the official site, so bring a little extra.
Knott's Spooky Farm Tickets, Prices, and Parking
Good news for budgets: Knott's Spooky Farm is included with regular Knott's Berry Farm park admission on event days. There's no separate Spooky Farm ticket to buy.
Online price: From $65 per person (plus tax), compared to a $110 gate price
Kids 2 and under: Free, no admission ticket needed
Where: Online only for the lowest price; tickets are also sold at the gate
Prices vary by date, and the cheapest deals are online only, so it pays to buy in advance. If you plan to visit more than once this fall, compare the park's season passes and memberships before you check out.
Parent tip: Babies and toddlers 2 and under get in free, which makes Spooky Farm a very reasonable outing if your youngest is still in that sweet spot.
Standard daily parking: From $40 (plus tax)
Buses and RVs: $45
Daily parking starts at $40 when you buy online. Knott's notes that parking re-entry is not permitted for single-day parking, so pack everything you'll need before you walk in. If you're coming by train, the park's directions page explains how to connect from the Buena Park Metrolink station by OCTA bus.
Stroller Rentals and Extras
Forgot the stroller? Knott's rentals page lists single strollers for $17 and double strollers for $22 (plus tax). Wagons used as strollers are also allowed, which is handy for toddlers who want to ride and nap.
Collectors, take note: the 2026 commemorative Knott's Spooky Farm T-shirt, featuring the Peanuts gang, is $22.99 plus tax and comes in adult and youth sizes.
Costume Rules at Knott's Spooky Farm
Yes, your kids can wear their costumes. In fact, they're encouraged to, since the Costume Party is part of the fun.
According to the official Knott's Berry Farm park policies, family-oriented themed outfits are permitted, but costumes that conceal identity are prohibited. Face coverings that hide identity aren't allowed, and rides and attractions may have extra restrictions on what you can wear.
Grown-ups can dress up too, but a few extra rules apply. Guests in character-themed outfits can't sign autographs for other guests or pretend to be park employees. And the park notes that themed outfits may be prohibited during evening Halloween events, so if you're staying late, check first.
Costume Tips for Little Kids
Skip full-face masks and choose face paint or a hat instead. Pick a costume your child can walk, sit, and use the potty in without a wardrobe crisis. Layers help, too, since fall mornings in Orange County can be cool before the afternoon warms up.
Still hunting for the perfect look? Browse our guide to Los Angeles costume shops and Halloween stores or get inspired by our trendy Halloween costumes for LA kids.
Knott's Spooky Farm vs. Knott's Scary Farm
These two events share a park but are completely different experiences. Here's the quick breakdown for parents.
Dates: Select nights, September 17 to October 31, 2026
Official age guidance: Not recommended for children under 13
Price: Separate ticket, from $65 per person; not included with daytime admission
Scary Farm is the nighttime haunt, with mazes, scare zones, and more than 1,000 monsters roaming the park. Knott's states that the event is not recommended for children under 13, and every guest needs paid event admission regardless of age.
The rules are different, too. Costumes are not allowed at Scary Farm, re-entry is not permitted, and Scary Farm tickets don't include parking or daytime park admission. In other words, Spooky Farm is for your preschooler, while Scary Farm is for your teenager (and maybe you, on date night).
Parent tip: If you have teens who want the scares, our guide to family-friendly Halloween events in Los Angeles has options for every age and fear level.
Plan Your Day at Knott's Spooky Farm With Toddlers and Preschoolers
Knott's Berry Farm is big, and little legs get tired fast. A simple plan will help you enjoy the Halloween fun without anyone melting down, including you.
A Sample Half-Day Game Plan
Arrive at opening. Park, get through security, and head toward Ghost Town while the crowds are still thin. Morning is the best time for photos with happy, well-rested kids.
Trick-or-treat first. Hit the Ghost Town trick-or-treat stations early, before lines build and before the candy energy kicks in. Then walk over to Calico Park for Spooktivities! and the pumpkin patch.
Catch one or two shows. Check the Six Flags app for show times and plan your route around them. The Bob Baker marionettes in the indoor Bird Cage Theatre make an ideal mid-morning rest.
Ride a few kiddie rides. Camp Snoopy is home to the park's gentlest rides and is a natural next stop. It also has baby-changing and nursing stations.
Eat lunch, then decide. After lunch, take an honest read of your crew. If eyes are drooping, head home for naps and call it a win.
Nap and Timing Tips
For kids who still nap, a morning visit usually works best. Arrive at opening, do the big activities by early afternoon, and let them nap in the car on the ride home.
If your child naps easily in a stroller or wagon, you can stay longer. Plan the nap for a stroll through quieter areas, then wake up for the afternoon Costume Party.
Weekends are busier than Thursdays and Fridays. If your kids aren't in school yet, a Thursday visit is often the calmest choice.
What to Pack for Knott's Spooky Farm
A trick-or-treat bucket or bag (plus a spare bag for extras)
Sunscreen, hats, and a light layer for cooler mornings
Refillable water bottles (unopened and empty water bottles are allowed)
Baby food and snacks for special dietary needs (the only outside food allowed)
Wipes, a change of clothes, and diapers
A comfortable change of shoes if the costume shoes are wobbly
A portable phone charger for the Six Flags app and photos
Knott's does not allow outside food or drinks beyond water bottles, baby food, and food for guests with dietary restrictions. Plan to buy lunch in the park, or eat a big breakfast before you arrive.
Halloween Food and Treats at Spooky Farm
The 2026 Spooky Farm menu includes seasonal treats across the park. Highlights include the Ghost Brownie, Bat Decorated Cookie, and Cherry Chocolate Parfait at the Ghost Town Bakery, plus themed funnel cakes like the Zombie Brain Funnel Cake at select locations.
Kids will love the colorful non-alcoholic drinks, including the Black Magic Mocktail and Pixie Potion and Vampire's Kiss "blood bags." Menu items are subject to change, and some stands are open on select days only.
Parent tip: Knott's sells daily dining plans that cover select meals. Check the daily drinks and dining page to see if it makes sense for your family's appetite.
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Takeaway
Knott's Spooky Farm is one of the easiest ways to give little kids a real Halloween adventure without a single nightmare. Between the Ghost Town trick-or-treat trail, Snoopy's costume party, puppets, critters, and cookies, there's plenty to fill a morning, and it's all included with park admission on event days.
Remember that it only runs Thursday through Sunday (plus Columbus Day), check the hours for your date, and save Scary Farm for the teens. For more ghoulishly good ideas, don't miss our roundup of 89 best family-friendly Halloween events in Los Angeles. Happy haunting from all of us at FUN WITH KIDS IN LA®!
Knott's Spooky Farm FAQs
Is Knott's Spooky Farm included with park admission?
Yes. Knott's Spooky Farm is included with regular Knott's Berry Farm park admission on event days. A few extras, like the pumpkin patch cookie decorating, cost an additional fee.
What days is Knott's Spooky Farm open in 2026?
Knott's Spooky Farm 2026 runs Thursdays through Sundays from September 24 to October 31, plus Columbus Day (Monday, October 12). Park hours vary by date, so check the official park hours calendar before you go.
Can adults wear costumes at Knott's Spooky Farm?
Family-oriented themed outfits are permitted for guests of all ages during the day, but costumes that conceal identity, including full-face masks, are not allowed. Themed outfits may be prohibited during evening Halloween events.
What age is Knott's Scary Farm for?
Knott's states that Scary Farm is not recommended for children under 13. It's a separate nighttime event with its own ticket, and costumes are not allowed there.
Do toddlers need a ticket for Knott's Spooky Farm?
No. Children ages 2 and under do not need an admission ticket to Knott's Berry Farm, so they can enjoy Spooky Farm for free.
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