December 9, 2020

Knott’s Berry Farm opens for shopping after canceling Taste of Merry Farm dates

The Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village will operate throughout the park’s Old West Ghost Town on weekends on Dec. 12 and 13 and Dec. 19 and 20.

Knott’s studio dancers perform during Taste of Merry Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park on Friday, November 20, 2020. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)

Knott’s studio dancers perform during Taste of Merry Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park on Friday, November 20, 2020. (Photo by Kyusung Gong/Contributing Photographer)

By Brady MacDonald

Knott’s Berry Farm will try to salvage the holiday shopping season by opening for shoppers looking for last-minute Christmas gifts after the Buena Park theme park was forced to cancel Taste of Merry Farm dates due to California’s stay-at-home order.

The Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village will operate throughout the park’s Old West Ghost Town on weekends on Dec. 12 and 13 and Dec. 19 and 20.

Knott’s has temporarily halted the ongoing Taste of Merry Farm food tasting event through Dec. 26 in accordance with the regional order issued by state officials. Taste of Merry Farm is expected to return once the state order is lifted. Sign up for our Park Life newsletter and find out what’s new and interesting every week at Southern California’s theme parks. Subscribe here.

SEE ALSO: Six Flags Magic Mountain Christmas lights extended through late January while other theme parks close

Knott’s and other California theme parks closed in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many California theme parks partially reopened without rides for dining, shopping and special events.

Knott’s, Disneyland, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California and other California theme parks have been forced to alter or cancel holiday festivities because of the stay-at-home order.

SEE ALSO: Which Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street restaurants are open and closed

Admission to Knott’s is free during the Christmas Crafts Village shopping event, but capacity will be limited to maintain social distancing. Store occupancy will be limited to 20% capacity in accordance with the state order.

More than 10 Ghost Town gift shops and nearly two dozen craft stands will be open during the holiday shopping weekends. Local artisans will be selling art, clothing, accessories, jewelry and gifts.

Select shops in the California Marketplace outdoor mall at the entrance to the theme park will be open — including Berry Market, Peanuts Headquarters, Marketplace Emporium, Virginia’s Gift Shop and Build-A-Bear.

SEE ALSO: Will California keep theme parks closed until there’s a widely available coronavirus vaccine?

Food locations such as Mrs. Knott’s Chicken-To-Go, Candy Parlour and Farm Bakery will sell to-go items only. Starbucks, Cable Car Kitchen and Mrs. Knott’s chicken dinner restaurant will remain closed until Dec. 27. The TGI Fridays location at Knott’s is closed until further notice.

Southern California restaurants are restricted to take-out orders only during the three-week regional stay-at-home order. Shoppers at the Christmas Crafts Village and California Marketplace won’t be able to eat or drink on Knott’s property. Any food purchased at the event must be consumed off-property.

Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. California Marketplace hours vary by shop.