Spending the Day at Knott's Merry Farm with Kids

Get ready for my best tips for spending the day at Knott's Merry Farm with Kids!

Taking my kids to Knott's Berry Farm during Christmas time is one of my absolute favorite things to do during the holiday season. I LOVE Merry Farm! It just feels like the Christmases I had as a child...there's something special in the air. And the decorations are so beautiful and rustic, good old fashioned Christmas beauty.

When does Knott's Merry Farm start? Knott's Merry Farm starts November 18, 2023 and runs until January 8, 2023.

15 Things to Do with Kids at Knott's Merry Farm

There are so many fun things to do at Knott's Merry Farm with kids that I wanted to make sure to share our favorites so that you too can make sure to do the same with your kids!

Before I go into detail on the Best Things to Do with Kids at Knott's Merry Farm, here's a quick list so you can easily make sure you do them all!

• Snoopy's Night Before Christmas: Ice Show
• Get a Knott's Merry Farm Souvenir Mug
• Visit Santa Claus
• Find the Calico Carolers
• Cupcake Decorating with Mrs. Claus
• Check out Gingerbread Lane on the Gold Mine Trail
• Try one of the Merry Farm seasonal foods or drinks
• The Holiday Peanuts Show - "Best Wishes"
• Park Wide Lighting Moment
• Make Christmas Slime in the Crafters Village
• Watch on of the Christmas shows in the Bird Cage Theater
• Visit Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang
• "Home for the Holidays" Show
• "Snow and Glow" in the Ghost Town streets
• Get a 2023 Knott's Season Pass

Now let's get into all the details! First up...

Check out Gingerbread Lane on the Gold Mine Trail

Gingerbread Lane is one of the newest hidden gems of Knott's Merry Farm. Located on the Gold Mine Trail by Ghost Rider, you will find Craft Vendors, carnival games where you can get Squishmallows, Merry Farm foods, and the most adorable Christmas photo ops.

Get a Knott's Merry Farm Souvenir Mug

The first thing you want to do when you head into the Park for Merry Farm is to purchase a 2022 Merry Farm Souvenir Mug! This way you can feel extra festive all day sipping on hot cocoa with all the holiday toppings.

You will pay just $14 for a Merry Farm Souvenir Mug, then you can receive free refills of coffee or hot cocoa on the day of purchase, plus $2 refills on future visits through January 8, 2023...how cool is that! I recommend filling it up at Santa's Christmas Cabin, because I think they have the BEST hot chocolate there.

And while your at it, why not also get a special holiday treat! This year Knott's has outdone themselves with cute Christmas Treats. Just check out these adorable gingerbread cookies!

Next up is the ALL NEW Snoopy on Ice Show!!!!

Snoopy On Ice: Snoopy's Night Before Christmas

Every year we look forward to going to this beloved Christmas show featuring our favorite beagle, Snoopy! It is a mix of your favorite Christmas songs, new and old, plus the Peanuts Gang and of course, some very talented ice skaters. It's the real deal!

This year is a real treat! It's the 40th anniversary of Snoopy on Ice, and the show has been re-imagined and the stage has been remodeled into a dazzling electronic set of lights and colors. In genuine Peanuts style, this holiday season's show is the retelling of the classic poem ”A Visit From St. Nicholas”.

It all takes place at the Walter Knott Theatre on the west side of the Park. You'll want to get in line early for this popular show as it often reaches capacity. I'm talking 1 hour early! And there are no saving seats, so make sure your entire party gets in line together.

Plan ahead for the long wait in line by bringing easy snack, tablets, books or sketch pads for the kids. You can bring your stroller in line while you're waiting (not inside the theater), so that is also helpful for napping babies.

Visit Santa at Knott's Merry Farm

Head over to Santa's Christmas Cabin and visit Santa Claus himself! Knott's Santa Claus is very special and spends the time to talk to your child and get a photo. You can purchase Santa photos, but you are also allowed to use your own camera.

Find the Calico Carolers at Knott's Merry Farm

Be transported back in time to a Victorian Christmas by the Calico Carolers, Knott’s own vocal quartet, as they perform the songs of the season throughout Ghost Town. Warm up your vocal cords and join in on the fun by singing along to both classic and contemporary Christmas music presented in a timeless way.

Download the official Knott's Berry Farm Mobile App for Calico Caroler Showtimes.

Cupcake Decorating with Mrs. Claus

Park Wide Lighting Moment

Knott’s Berry Farm comes alive at night! Every evening the lights of the season brighten the night and kick off the evening fun on the Farm! Download the official Knott's Berry Farm Mobile App for Park Lighting times.

Try one of the Merry Farm seasonal foods or drinks

Make Christmas Slime

If your kids are anything like mine, the love slime. But I do NOT like them making it at my house. Way. too. messy! But did you know they can make Christmas Slime at Knott's? Head over to the Crafters Village where the kids can make their own slime. While the kids are doing their thing, you can gift shop. There are so many great vendors with unique and wonderful gifts at the Christmas Crafts Village.

"Home for the Holidays" Show at Knott's Merry Farm

This is Knott's Berry Farm's brand new Christmas show that is simply AMAZING! It takes place on the Calico Mine Stage in the heart of Knott's. Imagine an old fashioned Christmas with singing and dancing, colorful costumes, Christmas trees and the most beautiful house that opens up on stage right before your eyes! The show will have you filled with Christmas spirit as it ends its' finale will falling snow!

"Snow and Glow" Show in Ghost Town

Experiencing the snowfall on the streets of Calico is a magical experience. During Merry Farm, snow falls hourly each evening with and twinkling lighting up the streets. This year it's better than ever, there's so more snow!

Since the Snow and Glow show happens multiple times each night, you can bring your kids to different areas of Ghost Town for each snow fall. Try the areas by the Blacksmith Shop, Birdcage Theater and the Old Schoolhouse. My kids just can't get enough of the Snow and Glow.

The Holiday Peanuts Show - "Best Wishes"

This fun little Christmas show take place at the Camp Snoopy Theatre. It's great for all ages and features a delightful mash-ups of holiday songs with some of our favorites from the Peanuts gang, and of course Snoopy! I like this show because it has easy seating and accessibility. Kids love it because they Peanuts gang sings a lot of familiar Christmas songs that they know.

Visit Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang at Knott's Merry Farm

You can visit Snoopy and some of the Peanuts Gang at the Peanuts Meet and Greet Area in Camp Snoopy. They are all dressed up for the holidays and ready to give you a big hug and take their photo with you. You can find them there throughout the day and also after each showing of A Peanuts Guide to Christmas.

I hope you get to visit Knott's Merry Farm with the ones you love this holiday season. I also hope this Top Ten list makes it easier to visit Knott's Merry Farm with kids. There's so much to enjoy and hundreds of memories to make - and don't forget about the rides!

You're going to have so much fun that you will want to get Season Passes for 2023. Did you hear? There are unlimited days...no blackout dates! Click here for 2023 Knott's Season Pass details.

Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year.