A Grandparents’ Guide to Knott’s Merry Farm

We went to a press day at Knott's Berry Farm to write this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Every year around Thanksgiving the conversation comes up about what we should do for Christmas. As the kids in the family have gotten older, the grandparents want to take advantage of the kids being able to travel and have more grown-up conversation. We're always talking about different places we can go and activities we can all do together as a family. So when I heard about Knott's Merry Farm, I asked my parents if they wanted to go.  They cleared their schedule for the day!

Knott's Merry Farm has everything the kids will love, plus lots of great attractions for the adults and even grandparents too.  My parents decided to share their recommendations for a grandparents' guide to Knott's Merry Farm … this is what holiday memories are made of! If you're looking for an activity the whole family can enjoy this holiday season, keep reading to see why Knott's Merry Farm if the perfect choice.

Knott’s Merry Farm is a place families can retreat from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Where you can enjoy the warm feeling of a classic Christmas with the whole family – a feeling that can only be found at Knott’s Merry Farm. Knott's wants you to enjoy classic shows like Merry Christmas, Snoopy! and the festive ice show. You can stroll through the merry streets of Calico for unique seasonal treats and traditional live Christmas Carolers. Shop the Christmas Crafts Village offering unique gift ideas. Visit Santa’s Christmas Cabin, the enchanting Snow and Glow show, with nightly falling snow set to thousands of sparkling lights and traditional Christmas music, plus so much more. And it's all right here in So Cal at Knott's Merry Farm!

Sweet Treats … and Candy Cane Churros!

In our family we have a holiday tradition of baking cookies and cakes for family and friends. So when we saw the awesome selection of sweet treats at Knott's Merry Farm this holiday season, we were pretty impressed. These aren't easy to make!

From candy cane churros to chocolate dipped cheesecake, there's something for everyone to enjoy. We especially loved the hot chocolate bar and warm cookies with milk, all available at Santa's Christmas Cabin in the Wilderness Dance Hall.

You can also get your photo with Santa here, inside a gorgeous cabin themed backdrop with decorated trees, elves, and more.

Knott's Merry Farm Has Entertainment For The Whole Family

You might think you have to pay to go to a separate show like the fantastic Merry Christmas, Snoopy! Ice Show at the Charles M. Schulz Theatre, but it's included with your admission to Knott's Merry Farm!

The ice skating was spectacular with stunning choreography the whole family enjoyed.

The show starts with Peanuts characters telling the story of Christmas … and then it starts to SNOW in the theatre!

There were so many costume and set changes … the kids were totally captivated the entire time.

The cutest part was seeing Snoopy on ice skates. Yes, that is a real ice rink on the stage!

The show ended with doves flying across the theatre … so keep your camera out the entire time because you won't want to miss this!

After the ice skating show, head on over to Camp Snoopy for some fun with the little kids. For the younger kids, you won't want to miss the adorable A Peanuts Guide to Christmas show in Camp Snoopy.

Like the rest of Knott's Merry Farm, Camp Snoopy is decorated everywhere you look with colorful Peanuts character themed holiday decor like this pine swag:

You'll leave the park filled with holiday cheer!

Shopping With The Family

You know what it's like hanging out with grandma … shopping! Knott's Berry Farm has lots of shops and storefronts but during the holidays, they open up a Christmas Crafts VIllage in the Ghost Town.

The kitschy gifts are our favorites … like this silly chicken purse Katie found in the General Store.

They even have Christmas decorations and trees! We loved the rustic Christmas decorations on this country themed tree:

Isn't this glass red barn ornament adorable?!

The kids will love all of the festive shirts and accessories for the holidays, like these super fun Christmas light necklaces.

The Christmas Crafts Village is filled with decorations and gift ideas alike that will get everyone into the holiday spirit!

There are also lots of unique gifts you can't find in any store, like these prints inspired by popular cartoons and video games.

Each crafter and artisan has their own stall they can set up and decorate as they like. You can find everything from handbags to goat milk lotion to bath bombs, candles, and Christmas decorations.

Stop by the Ghost Town Bakery to get sweet treats and custom cakes, like this gorgeous gingerbread house:

A California Twist On Holiday Meals

One of the great things that I love about Knott's Merry Farm is how they embrace California culture and showcase said with their food selection. Inside the Wilderness Hall they offered a tasting menu of different traditional holiday foods.

They had everything from roasted nuts to two different types of tamales to warm cookies with milk or eggnog for the kids.

They also had a selection of wine and beer including a super delicious boysenberry cider.

And then there were the traditional American Thanksgiving foods … with a twist! There was a Thanksgiving Dinner pizza, a bread bowl with beef stew, and this take on a Turkey Dinner sandwich:

Yum! The whole family enjoyed tasting all of the different food options at Knott's Merry Farm this holiday season. There's something everyone will love!

Calico Tree Lighting Ceremony

Right in the heart of Calico Park is a giant Christmas tree decorated to the nines.

You can get professional photos in front of the tree all day long or snap a photo while walking by, like we did.

Right around sunset each day, carolers and “the Mayor” gather at the base of the tree for a tree lighting ceremony filled with song and whimsy.

There's something for everyone at Knott's Merry Farm for the holiday season!

Find out more and plan your trip today: Knott's Merry Farm

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