If there’s one thing Knott’s Berry Farm understands better than almost any Southern California attraction, it’s how to turn a seasonal celebration into a full-fledged experience. As of Sunday, April 12th, the park’s annual Boysenberry Festival — a signature springtime event rooted in its origin story — has concluded its limited run, leaving behind a lingering impression of inventive flavors, lively entertainment, and a clear reminder that Knott’s still thrives on its agricultural heritage.
Throughout its short engagement, the festival once again proved how flexible, and frankly fun, boysenberry can be when it is pushed well beyond jam and syrup. This time, the most popular item, with one-hour-long waits to show for it, was the Boysenberry Brick (fried brioche with boysenberry jam and boysenberry soft serve) which satiated gustatorily and especially visually, becoming a viral hit on social media.
2026’s lineup also leaned into more playful textures and savory contrasts. The boysenberry-flavored sweets and baked goods kept dessert lovers busy, one example being Ghost Town Bakery’s velvety boysenberry shortcake sushi roll or Wilderness Dance Hall’s soft and spectacularly saccharine monkey bread with boysenberry topping.
Those in the mood for something more savory couldn’t go wrong with boysenberry beef brisket over mac and cheese or the boysenberry barbecue meatballs over mashed potatoes — two sweeter takes on decadent comfort-food options. The Chow House Booth’s elote (Mexican street corn) with boysenberry butter and mayo, smothered in cotija cheese, alongside the sweet boysenberry-infused tamale, similarly served as reimagined delights of cultural classics.
Other hits included the underrated boysenberry balsamic Brussels Sprouts — combining tanginess with a touch of Knott’s zest — and boysenberry tortillas (recognizable by their attractive lavender hue) stuffed with satisfyingly crispy deep-fried cauliflower. But the most boysenberry bang for one’s buck may have been the generous helping of boysenberry chili cheese fries with boysenberry sour cream and jalapeño chips, a new challenger to In-N-Out’s universally loved Animal Fries.
Drink varieties, including a strong slate of alcoholic varieties, were plentiful, with the boysenberry Mai Tai (an energizing, not-too-cloying spritz) and whiskey lemonade (a refreshingly tart treat) being two standouts. The tasting card, priced at $55 for six tastings, remains one of the smarter buys in the spring, particularly for anyone intent on grazing through multiple corners of Ghost Town, the Gold Mine Trail, and beyond.
That blend of food and entertainment is key to Knott’s broader identity — and it’s exactly what carries forward into the park’s next seasonal chapter.
Beginning June 12th and running through August 30th, Knott’s shifts into summer mode on select days with the return of Ghost Town Alive!, an immersive, story-driven experience that transforms the park’s historic Old West section into a living narrative. Visitors don’t just watch the action unfold; instead, they become part of it, interacting with cowboys, townsfolk, and outlaws in a loose, unfolding storyline that plays out across Calico. It’s a rare kind of theme park entertainment that rewards participation, especially for families and repeat visitors who want something more dynamic than a passive show.
Running during the exact timeframe as Ghost Town Alive! on select nights is Knott’s Summer Nights, which extends that energy into the evening hours, turning the park into a lively nighttime festival of its own. Expect live bands, pop-up food dishes, interactive games, and a general atmosphere that feels closer to a neighborhood block party than a traditional theme park experience. It’s here that Knott’s leans most fully into its community appeal, with shared joy equaling or exceeding the sheer spectacle.
And then there’s the Fourth of July, when the park caps off its early summer stretch with a fireworks display that brings guests together for a classic, all-American finale. Positioned between Ghost Town’s historical setting and Summer Nights’ contemporary energy, the holiday event feels like a natural convergence of both.
All of it underscores a larger point: Knott’s isn’t just programming events but rather building a year-round rhythm. That rhythm is increasingly tied to value, too. The current 2026 season pass, priced at $120, offers unlimited visits through the end of next year with no blackout dates, along with discounted bring-a-friend tickets and access to the park’s major seasonal events, including Ghost Town Alive!, Summer Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, and Merry Farm. It’s a model designed less for one-off visits and more for consistent engagement. Ultimately, this is a reflection of how the park increasingly wants to be experienced.
That evolution comes at an interesting moment in Knott’s history. Following Cedar Fair’s 2024 merger with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the park now operates within a larger portfolio but continues to maintain a distinct identity that embraces its beginnings as a roadside berry stand nearly a century ago.
If the Boysenberry Festival is any indication, that identity isn’t going anywhere; rather, it’s simply continuing to build on its foundation. From seasonal flavors to immersive storytelling, and from daytime tastings to nighttime celebrations, there is no shortage of fun to be had in Buena Park. Spring festivities may have concluded at Knott’s, but the momentum is just getting started.
Cover image caption: Some of Knott’s Berry Farm’s most beloved characters pose with guests in Buena Park, CA. Photo is by Knott’s Berry Farm Marketing.
For tickets and further information about Knott’s Berry Farm events, visit sixflags.com/knotts/events.
