Knott’s Merry Farm 2013 charms with classic Christmas entertainment, appealing across all generations

in Entertainment, Events, Knott's Berry Farm, Theme Parks

Knott’s Berry Farm is filled with the spirit of the holiday season as it transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm featuring new attractions, live entertainment, festive food, and plenty of holiday decorations.

Quite a change from their famous Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Haunt event, Christmas time at the park is naturally a much different experience.

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

New for 2013, the Ghost Town and Calico Railroad celebrate Christmas on Engine 41. This is a fun train ride around the park on a really authentic train. In each car, theme park guests are joined by a few Ghost Town “residents” decked out in Christmas attire. During the train ride, they interact with the park guests and lead them in Christmas carols. Guests may even witness a marriage proposal followed by a wedding – all in the span of a 10 minute train ride. It’s very cute.


Video: Engine 41 at Knott’s Merry Farm


Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Also new to the event this year, the Wilderness Dance Hall has become Santa’s Christmas Cabin where jolly ol’ St. Nick poses for pictures. Holiday delights inside include Santa’s homemade cookies, sundae bar, decadent hot chocolate topped with hand carved chocolate shavings, winter wine and craft beer tastings, and more.

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Returning from previous years, there are a few standout holiday attractions:

On the outdoor Calico Stage, Snoopy and Santa’s elves star in Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting stage show as they prepare to light the Ghost Town Christmas tree. It’s a cute show and of course ends with Santa’s arrival.


Video: Full “Snoopy’s Merriest Tree Lighting” show


Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Camp Snoopy is decked out with Christmas lights. There’s an ice show, It’s Christmas Snoopy, inside the Charles M Schulz theater. Though this theater holds 2,100 people it fills up fast with incredibly long lines with many people geting in line 2 hours in advance. It’s the must-see attraction at Knott’s Merry Farms (yet one I sadly missed!)

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

The park’s famous Bird Cage theater offers live performances of The Gift of the Magi and A Christmas Carol. If you enjoy live theater, you’ll most like enjoy this, but little kids might have trouble sitting through the performances.

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

During the Christmas season, Ghost Town turns into the Christmas Craft Village for local craftsman and artists to sell their holiday themed goods. It gave a quaint feel to the already rustic Ghost Town area.

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

As far as non-Holiday Knott’s attractions, there are plenty of roller coasters to choose from. For those looking for slower speeds, favorites include the Mystery Lodge, The Timber Mountain Log Ride, and the Calico Mine Train. None of these were holiday themed, though the mine trains were decorated with Christmas wreaths.

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

Knott's Merry Farm 2013

It’s all part of a very classic feeling Christmas celebration, family-friendly with ample thrills available to keep everyone entertained.

Knott’s Merry Farm runs from November 28th thru January 5th. More information can be found at Knotts.com.

More photos from Knott’s Merry Farm 2013:
(Photos by Josh Daws and Jeremiah Daws)

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