Knott’s Scary Farm is back again this year ready to terrify on 30 select nights from September 18 – November 1, 2026 with a fresh crop of horrors. This year, the nightmares revealed included two new mazes (The Zoo and Mary – The Haunting of Worth Home) plus the return of fan-favorite mazes, scare zones and the popular show THE HANGING.

Dying to learn more about 2026 Knott’s Scary Farm? Proceed if you dare… Here’s everything you need to know for this year’s event

Nightmares Revealed

The fog has settled on the 2026 Knott’s Scary Farm Nightmares Revealed event and we’ve got the full summary of what you need to know from this year’s event.

• NEW MAZES: There’s 2 new mazes this year UNEARTHED and INKED which you can learn more about below.
• FINAL YEAR: As confirmed at Midsummer Scream, ORIGINS: THE CURSE OF CALICO and THE CHILLING CHAMBERS will both be celebrating their final runs this year.
• NEW SHOWS: Enjoy new offerings including Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge musical celebration, Occultum magic show by the Magic Castle, and Blind Tiger Balcony Soiree featuring the musical and dance acts
• UPDATED SCARE ZONE: The CARNevil scare zone has been reimagined with a takeover by Mesmer with an all new sideshow of fresh carnie hell.

New Mazes

Inked

Mortimer Morbid, a washed-up 1930s cartoonist and former head of Morbid Studios, discovers that when blood becomes ink, imagination becomes reality. Determined to create one final Halloween special, he brings his infamous cartoon characters to life—only to unleash a legion of murderous toons hellbent on pulling viewers into their twisted world.

Unearthed

Embark on a perilous journey through the heart of an excavation site as you and your search-and-rescue team arrive at a ravaged base days after receiving a distress signal. Beware, for the discovery of the ancient tablets has awakened a malevolent force from a forgotten age—an ancient evil has been unearthed.

Returning Mazes

The Zoo

Something has taken over the abandoned zoo.  What was once a lively showcase of exotic animals has been transformed into a terrifying laboratory of animal/human experiments.  Hybrid creatures have turned on their creators, and the compound is crawling with mutant soldiers thirsty for revenge. Rumors are swirling that the mutated monsters are planning something that will change everything!

Mary — The Haunting of Worth Home

Venture into that creepy house at the end of the street.  Within the walls hides a terrifying secret. No one foolish enough to go in there has ever come back out alive.  But I’m sure this time it will be different, right? Be careful not to stare into the mirrors too long…you never know what’s staring back from the other side.

Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman

Become immersed in a living fairy tale in an 18th century colonial township that’s under siege by an inhuman monster who has a sick penchant for eating fingers. As night descends, Eight Fingers Nine emerges from the shadows in search of fresh meat. His vicious bite penetrates deep, causing sleep paralysis which holds his victim in sway while he slowly consumes their flesh. Step lightly and beware the dark, or you may be the main course at his next meal!

Widows

The night of the arachnid is upon us! Enter a web-covered nursing home where demonic, eight-legged black widows emerge from their silken tunnels to possess the withered bodies of the elderly residence. Their sole purpose is to secure a mate and hatch a clutch of eggs before sunrise. Will you climb into their web and succumb to their dark desires?

Room 13

Violent murders at The Blind Tiger interrupt the Prohibition-era revelry on Memory Lane. A dangerously delicious new cocktail named The Devil’s Elixir seems to be at the root of the mayhem, but where did the mysterious green aperitif come from? The answers may lie at the heart of the extravagant Argive Hotel, where many have checked in to Room 13… but none have checked out.

Cinema Slasher

Venturing through the mystical Midnight Theater, guests travel through the silver screen and into a trilogy of slasher movies. As they are swallowed into the world of gothic horror, they become the movie characters who try to escape the wrath of the dangerous Slasher. The theater opens its doors once again, daring those brave enough to buy a ticket to Cinema Slasher!

The Chilling Chambers (FINAL YEAR)

In honor of the first maze in Knott’s Scary Farm’s prestigious history, the 10 Chilling Chambers gives a nostalgic nod to Scary Farm’s past while terrorizing the audience of today. Guests are thrust beyond the threshold of an ominous towering cathedral that leads to terrifying classic maze themes from Knott’s Scary Farm’s infamous history.

Origins: The Curse of Calico (FINAL YEAR)

Pierce the veil of time and discover the secret of the evil fog that hangs over Knott’s Scary Farm in Origins: The Curse of Calico. Unearth the sinister paranormal activity that plagues the town as Sarah Marshall is put on trial for her suspected crimes of witchcraft. All will be revealed as the Green Witch rises and curses those who have accused her.

New Scare Zones

• CARNEVIL (Reimagined) is a refresh on the classic scare zone now taken over by the character Mesmer and his malicious menagerie featuring new oddities, curiosities, and a foggy neon aesthetic.

Returning Scare Zones

• Ghost Town Streets is where Scary Farm began! The dark streets of Calico are the original and largest, most fear-filled scare zone that started it all. Terror lurks around every corner as the fog-filled alleys hold monsters of every size. Good luck finding a safe passage through the cursed town.
• The Gore-ing 20’s terrorizes even the bravest and most brutal souls. The revelers at The Blind Tiger, the secret speakeasy on Memory Lane, danced their way into oblivion when their decadence brought upon them a deadly curse.
• Forsaken Lake is underneath Silver Bullet full of gothic creatures ravaged by the dark and murky waters and doomed to wander from their crypts. Each night brings new terrors as a funeral procession makes its way to the spirit world. Don’t be fooled by their elegant dress; these creatures seek fresh blood to join them in their death march.
• The Gauntlet is where characters return to invade Camp Snoopy, but with an updated twist. Guests will again encounter the King and Queen of the realm, maniacal jesters, brutal barbarians, wicked wizards and lawless peasants. They’ve all returned with an onslaught of fresh terror.

Shows

The Hanging: Noosemaxing (NEW)

WHERE: Wagon Camp

The town of Calico is once again under siege! It’s up to the Lawman and the Hangman to rise up and battle the evildoers in all out bloodfest featuring the vilest villains of the past year. Grab a seat at the Wagon Camp and bear witness to the ultimate skewering of pop culture. This year’s show promises to deliver gore and laughs to the maxx!

Occultum — Curated by the Magic Castle (NEW)

WHERE: Bird Cage Theater

Experience an evening of wonder with magicians from the world-famous Magic Castle. These acclaimed wizards will leave you amazed with surprise, delight, and mystery.

 Voodoo: Bayou’s Edge (NEW)

WHERE: Calico Mine Stage

The dead keep rhythm. A slow drumbeat calls — and Marie Laveau, Voodoo Queen, guides you past the gate into the court of Baron Samedi, Lwa of the dead. Dancers drift through the mist. Flames rise, tombs drum, the cemetery wakes.

Blind Tiger Balcony Soiree

WHERE: The Gore-ing ’20s area

Featuring the musical and dance acts The Hooten Howlers and The Hotsy Totsy Hoppers.

More to Explore

Into The Fog: A Scary Farm Tribute Art Show

WHERE: The Factory Store

Into the Fog is an art show specially curated for the discerning Scary Farm fan. The show is home to a collection of original art by unique and talented artists from across the country. These artists have drawn inspiration from Knott’s Scary Farm’s rich decades long history and we’re certain you’ll find an original or print you’ll want to take home with you. Along with the Scary Farm art show, you can find all sorts of souvenirs any Halloween fan will be dying to make their own.

Legacy Store and Museum

WHERE: Knott’s California Marketplace

Check out what’s in store in this creepy space paying homage to more than 5 decades of Knott’s Scary Farm with props, costumes, and more. Plus, get your claws on the latest merchandise opportunities for the season including branded tees, mazes, and more. Plus, if you are not in compliance with the Knott’s Bag Policy, you can pick up a branded bag to stow your items.

Halloween Hootenanny

WHERE: The Timber Mountain Log Ride

The Timber Mountain Log Ride residents celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a seasonal twist to a park favorite. Mysterious creatures of Timber Mountain that live out in the woods and caverns join the citizens as they honor the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The Ride’s interior features surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch, and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns all set to an original soundtrack by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.

See it for Yourself

Knott’s Scary Farm returns from September 17 – October 31, 2026. Event dates follow:

• September: 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27
• October: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31

DON’T MISS: Get details and ticket information!

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