If spring had a flavor in Southern California, it just might be boysenberry.

The beloved Knott’s Boysenberry Festival is back at Knott’s Berry Farm, celebrating the little berry that helped put the park on the map. Running daily from March 13 through April 12, the annual food-focused festival blends creative cuisine, live entertainment, local artisans and a healthy dose of Ghost Town charm.

More Than 100 Ways to Taste Boysenberry

There’s no shortage of flavor this year. Guests can sample more than 100 signature boysenberry-inspired menu items, ranging from savory surprises to indulgent sweets and specialty cocktails.

Among the new savory standouts:

• Spicy boysenberry bulgogi served over steamed rice and topped with green onions
• Reuben balls paired with a spicy boysenberry Thousand Island dressing

On the sweeter side:

• Boysenberry and pineapple upside-down cake
• Boysenberry meringue tart

And for those looking to sip their way through the festival, beverage options include a boysenberry paloma, boysenberry and kiwi lemonade, and a vibrant boysenberry tequila sunrise, along with a variety of other berry-forward drinks.

A tasting card — available online or inside the park — offers six tastings from select dishes and drinks, making it one of the easiest (and most delicious) ways to experience the festival’s highlights.

Pie, Pups and Playful Competition

No Boysenberry Festival would be complete without a pie-eating contest — and this year, there’s a storyline twist.

At Calico Park, the Boysen Bear’s Pie Kitchen Games invite guests to help stop mischievous coyote pups Moxie and Brawny from stealing the pies. After saving the day, fans can gather at the Calico Mine Stage for the high-energy Boysen Bear’s Pie Eating Contest.

Over at the newly renovated Birdcage Theatre, audiences can cheer the hero and boo the villain during The Great Bank Robbery, an interactive show packed with Old West flair.

Celebrating Knott’s Berry Farm’s Roots

The festival also leans into the park’s rich history.

• Knott’s Preserved takes guests on a musical journey from Calico Ghost Town to the Seaside Boardwalk of the Roaring ’20s.
• Old MacDonald’s Barn returns as a tribute to one of the farm’s original attractions, featuring horses, goats and other friendly farm animals.
• At the History of the Boysenberry Museum in Town Hall, visitors can explore how the humble berry shaped the Knott family legacy and Southern California’s culinary scene.

In Ghost Town, the annual Boysenberry Festival Crafts Fair showcases unique, boysenberry-inspired goods from more than two dozen local artisans. Meanwhile, at The Factory Store, the fan-favorite “Tied Up in Knott’s” art show highlights creative works from the park’s community of artists.

Turn the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival into a Getaway

For guests who want to extend the experience, Knott’s Hotel — located just steps from the park — is offering a Boysenberry Festival package. The bundle includes:

• Overnight accommodations
• One day admission per registered guest
• One six-item boysenberry tasting card per person
• One single-use Fast Lane per person
• Hotel parking

It’s a berry-filled way to turn a day at the festival into a spring getaway. From bold new dishes to nostalgic nods and lively entertainment, the Knott’s Boysenberry Festival once again proves that one small berry can deliver big flavor — and even bigger fun.

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