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Knott’s Scary Farm returns for the 2024 Halloween season after its legendary 50th anniversary the previous year. Can it possibly get any better? The answer is yes and no. But also depends on what guests look forward to. Brand new haunted houses are worthy additions to their replacements. But the shows do not hold a flickering candle.
The park is all decked out in marvelous Halloween decor from sprawling cobwebs to skeletal surprises. New interactive lanterns get a second version this year available for purchase after making their debut from last year. Updates are promised to be in store at interactive locations including special lighting, sound, and animatronic effects. The time has come to open the Hellgate on Knott’s Scary Farm 2024.
Guests will have no choice but to navigate the treacherous pathways to reach their destinations via the scare zones. All five sinister scare zones make their return with the western streets of Ghost Town, medieval meance of The Gauntlet, gangsters reign in the Gore-ing ’20s, from the watery depths of Forsaken Lake, and the comical clowns of CarnEVIL. CarnEVIL receives a refresh with new costume designs, cast of unique characters, and over the top props. Be sure to stick around any of the scare zones to people watch the fraky frights and playful banter with the costumed actors.
Atmosphere Photo Gallery
NEW HAUNTED HOUSES
Spiders have overtaken the crumbling home of an elderly woman inviting house guests to “Widows”. Dare to succumb to everything you fear about arachnids. Hairy legs, black eyes, invasive cobwebs, encased bodies, and sharp fangs will have your skin crawling for a way out of draping nest. This was certainly our favorite maze the event and commanded the longest wait time during our visit. Surely to be an audience favorite for design and scare factor. We challenge you not to get caught in its web of fear!
Widows Photo Gallery
Eight Fingers Nine: The Boogeyman is another new solid winner. The Boogeyman is an ancient being preying on the colonial townsfolk. Emerging from the shadows in search of fresh meat, the Boogeyman induces sleep paralysis to feed on its unsuspecting victims. Keep your eyes open defending yourself from vicious bites and crossfires with monster hunters. Or be lost in a state of submissive slumber never to wake again. New delights in various settings of courtyards, bedrooms, barns, forest, witchcraft, and twisting roots keep the sleep walking alert with terrifying textures, eerie colors, and formidable scares.
Eight Fingers Nine Photo Gallery
RETURNING HAUNTED HOUSES
Be lost in the hypnotic trance of madness and torture unlocking your deepest fears in “Mesmer”. The striped canvas tent holds a sideshow of spiraling illusions and tricksters ready to pull you away from reality. No safe word can stop the unrivaling destruction of the human mind.
Mesmer Photo Gallery
The shredded movie screens project audiences into the world of horror movie settings pursued by the “Cinema Slasher”. From a college Halloween party, to the lakeside campsite, and a meat processing plant, there is no place to hide from the killing spree. Will you make the final cut?
Cinema Slasher Photo Gallery
The Devil’s Elixir is the new addictive cocktail that is all the rage in the Prohibition-era. But the mysterious glowing green beverage has a toxic effect on the unsuspecting consumers from The Blind Tiger. The source of murderous mayhem may lie somewhere in the Argive Hotel. “Room 13” is part of the link to uncovering the diabolical scandal.
Room 13 Photo Gallery
“Origins: The Curse of Calico” takes the citizens of Calico on a witch hunt for Sarah Marshall, the accused of unsavory witchcraft. The bounty is set and the search is on from the court house, jail house, funeral home, haunted shack, and catacombs. Beware of the rising dead and legendary catawampus before Sarah Marshall uses the Grimoire spell book to seal Calico’s demise.
Origins Photo Gallery
Campers stumble upon “The Grimoire” book entranced by the powers within. The Grimoire sends all in its wake into another world, another time when the book drew its readers to a grim fate. Spellbound creatures emerge with every word spoken from its pages. The next chapter may just be your last. We love the camping aspect and connection to The Green Witch producing a strong interconnected storyline, but we’re ready for something new to further push the narrative.
The Grimoire Photo Gallery
“The Chilling Chambers” collects remnants of retired scare mazes to create this tribute experience. A foreboding cathedral opens the portal to the past from some of the best themes of legendary scares. Long-time Knott’s Scary Farm fans can spot favorite props, masks, and sets throughout including coffins, plaques, and tombstones.
Debuting last year for the event’s 50th anniversary, the haunted house decided to drop dead its featured host character completely leaving The Keeper ironically absent in his own home. We could see the longevity of this concept with different rooms changing out every year as haunted houses retire. Would love to see the Kraken battling the giant shark from “The Depths”. The soon to be retired “Wax Works” could also be a fitting home.
The Chilling Chambers Photo Gallery
RETIRING HAUNTED HOUSES
“Wax Works” abandoned wax museum is home to the most creative body horror figures you can possibly imagine. Beautifully grotesque works of art is ready to inspire. The hardworking artists are always in need of a fresh supply of human flesh to continue practicing their craft. The hot cauldron is ready for the next top model. The molten masterpiece will not go down without a bloody fight to the bitter end. Not only melting beeswax, this ingenious haunted house melts our hearts as well.
Wax Works Photo Gallery
“Bloodline 1842” sees the battleground of a steam punk city in ruins with the fight between vampires and monster hunters. Slide through the back door of a tavern and into the hidden armory. From there, war is on with the bloody thirsty stalkers to reach the vampire king to destroy his kind once and for all. An intriguing concept that debuted with interactive laser guns. Thankfully the interactive portion was dropped. But time did not faire well. We’re happily glad to see this haunted house send off into the sunset.
Bloodline 1842 Photo Gallery
The entertainment offering this year is on the lackluster side compared to last season when Knott’s pulled out all the stops for it’s monumental anniversary. If the live shows are something on your must-do list and you only have one night to spend, this is not the year to focus on shows. However with repeat visitors throughout the season, by all means, take in all the atmosphere.
“Le Magnifique Carnaval Du Grotesque” sticks to what it does best with its ringmaster, dancers, and three death-defying acts. Newcomers may get a little lost with the loosely connected ringmaster subplot from last year. The dancers have all new routines that excites the crowd. The three acts and clown, although new, looks familar. The show itself somehow feels like it has a shorter runtime. If you happen to be walking by the Calico Mine Stage as the show is performing, it is worth a stop.
“The Hanging: The Errors Tour” at the Wagon Camp is unfortunately one of the weakest productions in recent memory. The pop culture parody culture show was a huge letdown. Too much time spent on set up with the Cedar Fair and Six Flags merger. The A.I. generator concept is good, but the lackluster build up could not make the audience care enough. The jokes did not blend and not landing well. Lots of missed opportunities. And a lack of noteworthy fights and kills. A growing number of the audience leaving the theater five minutes into the show is not a good indicator. The supposedly most evil person of the year chosen to be hanged generated cricket noises. Maybe there was a reason why showtimes were not been listed outside the theater. This show might see multiple rewrites and a different person to be hanged by the end of the season. It’s been done before. But time will tell if any effort is made.
The Birdcage Theater returns the magic shows with weekly guests in “Conjurers”. A new illusionist can be something to look forward to every weekend. This also provides a reason for season pass-holders to make a stop taking a break away from the scares.
Shows Photo Gallery
Knott’s Scary Farm is open on select nights September 19 – November 2, 2024. For your consideration, be sure to look for special event bag and chaperone policies. For more information and ticket sales, visit https://www.knotts.com/events/scary-farm
