Knott’s Merry Farm is a Western Winter Wonderland

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Last week Knott’s Berry Farm received a dusting of snow transforming it into Knott’s Merry Farm. I love Christmas, and honestly, Knott’s is the warmest, coziest place to spend the holidays when it comes to theme parks. Intimate settings, multiple shows, shows plus a craft fair make you feel like you’ve come to a small town.

Entrance to Knott's Berry Farm, which features a large banner reading "Merry Christmas" and a large red bow.

Myself, standing on the porch of a blue painted wooden western building, decorated with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Myself, standing in front of a train loaded with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Close-up of my skirt, which is green and white check until the hem which is red and features green and yellow chickens.

Myself, standing in front of a train loaded with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

For our visit, I wore a skirt I’ve been saving just for this occasion! A red and green border print with chickens! As some of you may recall it is literally thanks to Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinners that we have Knott’s Berry Farm as a theme park. In the 1940s people were waiting over three hours for tables, and Walter Knott built a ghost town to entertain them while they waited, which evolved into the park we know today. For more on the history of Knott’s, I highly recommend the book Knott’s Preserved. You can read my review of it here. Alright, onto what Merry Farm has to offer this year!

There are so many wonderful things to see, do, and taste! This year there are two brand new shows, including a delightful musical review, Home for the Holidays, at the Calico Mine Stage. Here a Currier and Ives picture comes to life as the Harper family invites you to spend Christmas with them, with plenty of singing and dancing, plus a stunning set that had my jaw on the ground.

Also new for this year is Marley’s Wings, a lively musical sequel to A Christmas Carol, showing in the Bird Cage Theatre. And of course A Christmas Carol is back, and it even received some updating. When the sun sets Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies move into the Bird Cage performing their bluegrass takes on holiday songs.

Within the Charles M. Schultz Theatre, the magnificent ice show, Merry Christmas, Snoopy returns, featuring dazzling skaters, including the Peanuts gang. What I love most about the ice show is that a Peanuts themed ice show is how Knott’s Berry Farm secured the rights to use the Peanuts gang. Schulz’s daughter was rehearsing for an ice skating performance when Ron Mizaker, a representative from Knott’s Berry Farm, spoke with Schulz about the park using the Peanuts gang. Mizaker told Schultz “One of the things we feature at Knott’s is an ice show. We have a proscenium ice rink in the [then named] Good Time Theatre and every summer we do an ice show. Wouldn’t it be great if we did an ice show with Snoopy?” To which Schulz replied with “Really? Could my daughter play Snoopy?” Mizaker said they could work that out, and later said “That was the basis of the deal!”

Around Ghost Town Guests can find carolers roaming, singing songs of the season. Each night Calico Park lights up a massive Christmas tree, and snow soon falls as the lights of Ghost Town give their own show by blinking in time with the music.

Guests can meet Santa and bite into a selection of tasty treats inside Santa’s Christmas Cabin, including creative desserts like a candy apple ornament, cookie shot, and more. But that isn’t the only place to find a delicious bite! Throughout the park are many seasonal offerings, including savory ones. I highly recommend the gingerbread churro!

Then there is the shopping! There are plenty of Christmas Peanuts themed goodies, including plushes and t-shirts. They even have some cute western themed Christmas items! But what makes Merry Farm truly unique is that it features a craft fair with local artisans selling everything from jewelry to soap, and even includes a live glass blower and wood carver, each who make spectacular works of art before your very eyes. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list!

While most of the activity takes place in Ghost Town, the rest of the park is decorated for the season as well, making for many wonderful places to take photos.

The cast of the new show, Home of the Holidays, dressed in Victorian clothing, gather around the stage singing. A massive white house with green trim behind them.

The house opens up like a massive doll house and inside it is ready for Christmas, the cast are seated to "take" a Christmas photo.

Myself, standing on the porch of a blue painted wooden western building, decorated with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Fiesta Village is decorated with colored lights, and wreaths, inside the wreaths it reads "Feliz Navidad"

The Bird Cage Theatre, which has arched doorways, with green doors. Wreaths hang on the doors and feature small gold bird cages in the middle. A poster on the left advertises the times for the shows A Christmas Carol and Marley's Wings.

Snoopy arrives on a green sleigh in the Merry Christmas, Snoopy ice show. Various skaters in winter attire skate around him.

Ice skaters in 1940s outfits skate around the ice rink stage. A backdrop features a small town and tall Christmas tree.

Myself, standing on the porch of a blue painted wooden western building, decorated with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Myself, standing on the porch of a blue painted wooden western building, decorated with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Carolers in 1800s attire sing in front of the large Christmas tree during the tree lighting ceremony.

The mayor of "Calico" the area also known as Ghost Town, wears a black suit and top hat and holds a large lighted Christmas ornament.

The tall, lighted Christmas tree stands behind the train, which has a wreath on the front.

The sign for the Calico Saloon, all lit up with white lights.

A Christmas tree made of surfboards stands atop a shop.

Myself, standing on the porch of a blue painted wooden western building, decorated with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Sign for Santa's Christmas Cabin.

Myself sitting with Santa.

A candy coated apple that is made to look like a Christmas ornament.

Myself, standing in front of a train loaded with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Coasters Drive In features large blue and pink lights and pink and blue Christmas trees.

Myself holding a mug featuring an image of Santa in a cowboy hat in front of a stagecoach loaded down with presents.

A wood carver, part of the Christmas Craft Fair, works on a small bear using a chain saw.

Myself, standing on the porch of a blue painted wooden western building, decorated with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Myself, standing in front of a train loaded with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

The Blacksmith Shop, trimmed in white lights, and lanterns hang from the trees.

Myself, standing on the porch of a blue painted wooden western building, decorated with poinsettias, wearing a red sweater and a red and green skirt with chickens printed at the bottom.

Now is a great time to purchase a season pass to Knott’s for next year! Buy a pass for next year (as Knott’s passes are good for the calendar year) and receive entry one day this year free! 2020 is bound to be an exciting year for Knott’s Berry Farm as it celebrates its 100th year! Visit Knott’s Berry Farm’s website to learn more and purchase tickets and/or season passes.

Outfit
Bell Earrings & Sweater: ???
Cowboy brooch: Found by my dad
Skirt: Buffalo Exchange
Turquoise Jewelry: Here and there…
Shoes: Olvera Street, Los Angeles, California

Disclaimer: I received a Media invitation to the first night of Knott’s Merry Farm.

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2 comments on “Knott’s Merry Farm is a Western Winter Wonderland”