Knott’s Berry Farm is running two sharply different Halloween programs this fall, and visitors need to choose the right admission before arriving. The family-oriented Spooky Farm begins Thursday, Sept. 24, while the separately ticketed Scary Farm is already operating on select nights through Oct. 31.
The park’s event calendar lists Spooky Farm from Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 24 through Oct. 31, plus Columbus Day. The daytime program centers on trick-or-treating in Ghost Town, character activities, a pumpkin patch and live entertainment. Its event page describes the experience as family-friendly and notes that cookie decorating carries an additional fee.
Scary Farm is the adult-oriented counterpart. It runs on select nights from Sept. 17 through Oct. 31 and is not recommended for children under 13. Every guest needs a paid event ticket. Online single-night admission starts at $69, while the 2026 Scary Farm pass is listed at $164 while quantities last. Taxes may apply.
The nighttime lineup includes two new mazes, Inked and Unearthed, alongside returning haunted attractions, scare zones and shows. A separate Fright & Fast Lane product starts at $139 and covers haunted mazes plus select rides, but it does not include event admission. Visitors buying that upgrade therefore need both products.
Entry rules are especially important for families and groups. Under the park’s chaperone policy, guests 15 or younger must enter with someone at least 21. One chaperone may accompany no more than 10 minors and must remain in the park and be reachable by phone. Enforcement begins by 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, by 1 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and lasts all day Saturday; the park may start earlier.
Scary Farm also uses a tighter bag standard: clear plastic bags must be smaller than 12 by 12 by 6 inches, and non-clear wristlets or clutches may be no larger than 5 by 8 by 2 inches. All bags are subject to search. The park says both its bag and chaperone policies can change, so guests should recheck them on the day of their visit.
The practical choice is straightforward: families seeking daytime candy and character programming should target Spooky Farm dates, while guests seeking haunted mazes need a separate Scary Farm ticket and should plan around the evening restrictions. For wider trip planning, compare California properties in TAQ’s park guide and follow continuing updates on the California archive.
