(Updated April 4, 2019)

You know it is springtime when the annual Boysenberry Festival begins at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. This festival runs from March 29 through April 28 in 2019 and is bigger than ever this year. Food – Entertainment – Activities – Shopping…there is something for everyone. It’s a “berry” good time!

The boysenberry is a cross between the European raspberry, a European blackberry, an American dewberry, and the Loganberry. Every boysenberry in the world can be traced back to Walter Knott and his California berry farm.

If you like boysenberries, then this festival is for you! There are plenty of food options with boysenberry flavors – both sweet desserts and savory dishes. Be sure to come hungry because there are a lot of options! The festival celebrates Walter Knott’s Berry Farm and takes place at Ghost Town inside Knott’s Berry Farm. When you first arrive, pick up one of the Festival Guides that shows where the different eats/treats and entertainment are located.

EATS & TREATS

With over 75 different boysenberry food, drinks, treats, and more, how do you decide where to start? For the best value, the Tasting Card is the way to go to sample 8 of the 14 featured savory or sweet dishes. Tasting Cards are $35.00 each (plus tax) and are valid throughout the dates of the festival. They are available for purchase at select locations at Knott’s and in advance online. You can also purchase the featured boysenberry dishes separately if you are not interested in the Tasting Card. Additional costs apply for all food at the festival. According to the Knott’s website, the locations serving tasting card items are available throughout the entire day during the Boysenberry Festival. You may want to try to eat early or later to avoid long lines since these stands are the busiest in the afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. 

Boysenberry Food and Drinks are the main reason most folks visit the Boysenberry Festival. A complete list of sweet and savory dishes is on the festival website link. In 2017, I shared a “Fun Bun” with my grandson as our morning treat. The legendary Fun Bun is a fried cinnamon roll with boysenberry cream cheese frosting on top. Yes, the Fun Bun tasted amazing and was worth all of the calories! The Fun Bun is gigantic and I am glad I had someone to share it with!

Later in the day, we also had “Build-Your-Own Mini Pies” from Cordelia’s Pie Kitchen. This experience takes place in a historic building that has been converted to a pie kitchen for the festival. The mini pie crusts are pre-cooked and after you purchase your pie, you’ll sit around a community table to finish assembling your mini pie. Little boxes are available if you need to take your pie to go.

ENTERTAINMENT

Throughout the festival there is live entertainment for all ages. Some of the entertainment is unique to the Boysenberry Festival. Over at Calico Park, there are picnic games like pie eating and music daily (check schedule for times). In the Ghost Town Livery Barn, you can meet real farm animals daily from approximately 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Old MacDonald’s Farm. Snoopy’s Boysenberry Jamboree is a musical revue starring Snoopy and his friends that takes place twice each afternoon at the Calico Mine Stage. The “History of Boysenberry” presentation is a documentary about Walter & Cordelia Knott and the Boysenberry shown daily in Ghost Town Hall.

Old Time Melodrama returns to the legendary Bird Cage Theatre. Boo the Villain, Cheer the Hero, and Sigh for the Lovely Damsel in a fun show for all ages. Check the website or park schedule for melodrama times. I suggest lining up for a seat at least 30 minutes prior to show time. Your entire party needs to be there before you enter since saving seats is not permitted.

During the festival, Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies are also performing. This show has toe-tapping fiddle and classic country music, along with plenty of fun and comedy for all ages. Be sure to check the Knott’s website or festival guide for other musical entertainment offerings.

ATTRACTIONS

Join in the fun with festival-related attractions at several locations. Some examples include:

·       Boysenberry Blues Music

·      Cordelia’s Pie Kiten

·       History of the Boysenberry Video

·       Tied Up in Knott’s Art Show

·       Wine and Craft Brew Tasting Garden

SHOPPING

Knott’s Berry Farm is a shopper’s delight and this is especially true during the Boysenberry Festival.

• Craft Fair – Be sure to check out the 25+ artisan crafters selling homemade gifts throughout Ghost Town. Many of them feature unique berry-inspired items. In addition, there are live artist demonstrations including chainsaw woodcarving and glass blowing.

• Boysenberry Plants – Real live boysenberry plants are back for 2019 by popular demand! There is a limited supply of plants and they will sell out so if you want to grow your own boysenberries, make sure to purchase early. Purchase and bring home authentic boysenberry plants for your own garden at a recreation of Walter & Cordelia Knott’s original roadside stand located at the entrance to Ghost Town.

Bring home your own boysenberry plant! | Photo credits: Krista

• Bath & Body Products – Take home new boysenberry soaps and lip balms. Also returning are decorative berry-inspired candles.

• Berry Market Products – Jams, BBQ sauce, syrup, and more! Several locations feature the Berry Market items both in Ghost Town and at the shops in California Marketplace (outside the theme park).

• Commemorative Items – Special Festival t-shirts are available while supplies last at the booth located across from the Ghost Rider entrance. Gift baskets filled with berry-inspired products are also offered at this booth. Other festival themed t-shirts are available at some of the stands in Ghost Town, Camp Snoopy, and other Knott’s Berry Farm locations.

Special discounts and promotions are available for theme park admission. The Knott’s Season Pass is a good value if you and your family would like to visit multiple times throughout the year. Season Passholders can enjoy early entry on select weekend dates. Additional information about theme park hours, directions and parking, and hotel packages can be found on the Knott’s website.

What foods are you looking forward to trying at the Boysenberry Festival? Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”