Looking for some summer fun when the sun goes down in Southern California? Look no further than Knott’s Summer Nights, where live entertainment, games, and a tasty variety of food offerings are available to regular-ticketed guests starting at 6:00 PM from now through mid-August at Knott’s Berry Farm.
This past Friday I attended the Knott’s Summer Nights media day, and had a blast listening to music, sampling the menu, and just enjoying the Ghost-Town-after-dark atmosphere at “America’s First Theme Park” just a few miles northwest of Disneyland.
I highly recommend showing up early for the always-fantastic “Ghost Town Alive!” immersive event which runs daily from 10:00 AM until Knott’s Summer Nights begins at 6:00 PM, then stick around to enjoy all the exciting new entertainment and food options. And don’t forget to pick up a Tasting Card for $35, which allows you to enjoy eight of the many delectable items like an Ice Cream Cone Cookie-wich, Kettle Corn, Fruit Salad, Churro Loops, Farmer’s Market Shortcake, Peach Crumble, Corn Cup (Esquites), Fish Tacos, Salad Bowl, Seasonal Sausage on a Bun, Chili in a Cornbread Bowl, Chili Corn Chip Pie, Fudge Dipped Apple, plus Assorted Craft Beers and Wines.
My personal favorite food items were the Skewers (available in Chicken & Veggie, Veggie, and Shrimp & Sausage varieties) and the Flavored Lemonade, which I got in Watermelon and found to be very refreshing on a hot summer’s evening.
Live music at Knott’s Summer Nights operates very much like the Mad T Party used to work at Disneyland Resort, with rock n’ roll bands alternating timeslots with a DJ so that there’s never a lack of entertainment happening at any given time. In fact, the cover band performing on opening night was none other than Hiatus, formed from members of Disney California Adventure’s much-missed Mad T Party Band.
Hiatus switched out with Doug Legacy & The Zydeco Cajun Band and DJ Anthony Rosales throughout the evening, and each act was a whole lot of fun in its own unique way. Plus, Knott’s mainstays like the Ghost Town Miners and the invariably toe-tappingly terrific Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies (formerly Disneyland’s Billy Hill and the Hillbillies) liven up the evening in other areas of the park. And the rides are open too!
As if that weren’t enough, Knott’s Summer Nights also features streetmosphere performers with groan-worthy alcohol-themed pun names like “Duncan Disorderly” and “Anita Drink.” These characters roam around the party area interacting and posing for photos with guests while kids and adults play goofy games such as Berry Pong and Hole-In-One pipe mini golf.
Overall, Knott’s Summer Nights is the perfect escape for those who need a family-friendly place to boogie down this season, and a great excuse to stay at Knott’s Berry Farm later than usual.
Knott’s Summer Nights is available to all guests with a regular admission ticket and runs nightly from now through Sunday, August 11 at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. For more information, musical act performance schedules, and advance ticketing resources, be sure to visit Knott’s official website.