Southern Californians are lucky folks, especially at the holidays. We may not have snow, but we sure do have a lot of choices for where to find some amazing holiday cheer. Disneyland has the dazzle, Universal has the Hollywood pizzazz, and Knott’s has authentic Christmas charm.
Be sure to read all the way through to the end of this update for a chance to win Two 2017 Season Passes to Knotts Berry Farm! We also have information about a MiceChat New Years Eve event at Knott’s!
One of the highlights of Knott’s Christmas celebration is the annual crafts village. You’ll find all sorts of artistic crafts and holiday shops, including power chainsaw sculpting and glass blowing demonstrations.
Ghost Town’s historic Bird Cage Theatre is offering two shows again this year, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and O. Henry’s A Gift of the Magi. The shows are short and heartfelt. Well worth your time and a great spot to sit and relax for a bit.
The highlight of Knott’s 2016 summer season was the wonderful Ghost Town Live and the interaction with the citizens of Calico. I had hoped that they’d return . . . and they have! This time around they welcome us as they prepare to light the town Christmas tree for the season. It’s Christmas in Calico!
A great way to experience the citizens of Calico is to visit Town Hall. The kids can write letters to Santa Claus. There’s a reading of the holiday classic the Night before Christmas by the Calico citizens. You might even be asked to help deliver gifts to some of the other citizens of Ghost Town.
Wilderness Dance Hall in Ghost Town has been transformed into Santa’s Christmas Cabin for the holiday season. This is of course the spot for you to take your photo with the jolly ol’ elf himself. But the cabin also acts as a mini food festival. You’ll find freshly-baked cookies, pastries, chocolate dipped cheesecake on a stick, seasonal craft beers, gourmet hot chocolate with marshmallows and hot spiced holiday wine, among other treats.
The California Missions Return!
Scaled models of the original California Missions boarder the same midway between Silver Bullet and the south entrance of Fiesta Village, as it did previously for many years. Twenty-year veteran of Knott’s Berry Farm’s woodshop and current Knott’s craftsman, Bob Weir, has been meticulously restoring the missions for over three years, for a new generation of guests to appreciate.
“Knott’s Berry Farm prides itself in celebrating California’s rich, living history, and the California Mission models hold as much educational value as they do sentimental value for many of our guests,” said Knott’s general manager, Jon Storbeck. “We know that grade school curriculums in California include lessons on the California Missions, so we’re pleased that Knott’s Adventures in Education programs will allow students a unique and authentic learning experience that can only be found at Knott’s.”
In addition to the return of the historic missions, Knott’s is hosting its Early California History Day on March 15, 2017, in which students will have the opportunity to visit and tour the displayed models within the park, as well as have the opportunity to display a mission of their own. One homemade mission model will be selected to represent an individual school and enter into the California Missions competition. The winning models will be awarded special Knott’s Berry Farm prizes.
History
In the 1950’s as Knott’s Berry Farm grew in popularity, Walter Knott needed a way to keep park guests off of the stagecoach trail between the train depot and the northern end of the park for safety reasons. In keeping with the spirit of Knott’s – attractions both entertain and educate – Walter commissioned Leon Bayard de Volo to create scale models of all 21 California Missions. The missions were displayed in lit cases along the midway running between the Calico Railroad and what is now the south entrance to Fiesta Village.
The area was named El Camino Real (“The King’s Highway”), in honor of the actual California highway that connects all 21 missions. On the North and South ends of El Camino Real stood two full-size double-arch “ruins,” which were built and installed at Knott’s in 1955 and 1956, respectively. Today, the double-arch ruin that originally marked the entrance to Mission row near the train station can be found near the Ghost Town General Store and the Indian Trails Stage. The northern most double-arch is still standing in its original location, behind Wave Swinger in Fiesta Village.
Observe replicas of the historic California Missions such as:
- · Mission Santa Barbara
- · Mission San Gabriel
- · Mission Santa Cruz
- · Mission San Diego
- · Mission San Buenaventura
- · Mission San Carlos Borromėo
- · Mission San Luis Obispo
- · Mission San Antonio
- · Mission Santa Clara
- · Mission La Purisima Concepción
- · Mission San Miguel Arcángel
- · Mission San Luis Rey
- · Mission Santa Ines
- · And more
A 2017 Knott’s Season Pass is the best way to experience the historic scale models with the family. New 2017 Season Passes include one free admission during the 2016 season to Knott’s Berry Farm and unlimited visits in 2017 with no blackout dates, discounts on select food and merchandise, and access to exciting year-round seasonal events. 2017 Season Passes are now available at the best price of the year for a limited time on knotts.com.
The park will install all 21 mission models within the coming months.
There’s construction going on in the Boardwalk for a new restaurant facility.
Camp Snoopy is always adorable, but has an extra rustic charm at Christmas.
Santa Snoopy meets with guests.
Nightfall brings the real magic. The Citizens of Calico light the tree, and then it snows.
After the tree lighting, follow the characters toward Town Hall and find yourself a spot to wait for the snow.
Join MiceChat at Knott’s for New Year’s Eve
Looking for a fun New Year’s Eve adventure? MiceChat will be holding a meet-up at Knott’s Berry Farm. Click this link and sign up on our Facebook event page for more information. Dinner, rides, Snoopy on Ice, Drinks at the Calico Saloon and fireworks! SIGN UP HERE
Give The Gift Of Knott’s
Who said reading doesn’t pay?! NOW is the time to pick up your Knott’s Season Pass for 2017. If you don’t already have a pass, it comes with one free admission in 2016, so get it now! 364 days of fun for just six payments of $15. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. discounts on select food and merchandise, and exciting year-round seasonal events. This is a great stocking stuffer folks, you purchase your season pass HERE.
Win Two Season Passes to Knott’s Berry Farm
And because we love you, we’d like to give you a chance to win two (2) 2017 season passes to Knott’s Berry Farm. Here’s what you need to do to enter our Knott’s Season Pass Giveaway:
1) Post in the comments below with your favorite thing about Knott’s or your favorite Knott’s tip.
2) Use our share buttons (at the top of this article) to share on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+
Friday, Dec 23rd is your last chance to enter. We’ll announce the winner in this space.
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