Extended Weekend Getaways Buena Park, California is a fun, affordable destination that is home to Southern California’s most popular attractions and minutes from Disneyland ®, award-winning beaches and Los Angeles landmarks. Named one of the ‘Most Fun’ Small Towns in America, Buena Park welcomes millions of visitors each year.
SPRING
Everything comes to life in spring with the kick off of the Knott’s Berry Farm Boysenberry Festival in mid-March. Through early April, you can enjoy over 50 boysenberry dishes, live entertainment and interactive experiences with Buena Park’s favorite berry as the star. Celebrate the sun in California style with the opening of Knott’s Soak City waterpark in late May. Take the seven-story plunge down Shore Break or float in the longest waterpark lazy river. Open through early September, Soak City is the perfect spot to cool off in Southern California. Family Fossil Days comes to the Interpretive Center at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park on the first Saturday of May. Bring all of your dinosaur questions to ask the archaeologists during the free three-hour tour and fossil hunt.
SUMMER
Summer is all about getting out and enjoying the California sunshine, starting with a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm. From June through August, the citizens of Calico come to life and you can become one of them at Ghost Time Alive. Help the sheriff stop some bank robbers, play cards at the saloon and kick up your heels at the evening hoedown. On Wednesday nights at 7 p.m., music takes over Buena Park with performances by your favorite local artists and cover bands. In June you can find the live performances at Boisseranc Park and in July and August the shows move to the Buena Park Downtown Mall. Plan to spend our nation’s birthday at Knott’s Berry Farm where the festive revelry includes a Fourth of July Fireworks Show and live entertainment.
FALL
When the trees start turning all shades of orange we know that means Halloween is right around the corner. Knott’s Scary Farm comes to life in mid-September with every form of monster taking over the park for the world’s largest Halloween event. Dozens of mazes, scare zones and live shows that could raise the dead are just some of the fun that lasts through the end of October. If you are looking for more treats than tricks, head to Knott’s on the weekends in October where Knott’s Spooky Farm brings family-friendly trick-or-treating, fun-filled shows and costume contests. Buena Park’s Most Interactive Show – Pirate’s Dinner Adventure takes on its own Halloween twist with ‘Vampirates’ throughout October. The two-hour show includes a three-course feast with an added costume contest. Festivals fill the fall months with the Olde Tyme Fall Festival kicking off the celebrations in the Buena Park Historic District. The whole family can join in the fun with haunted tours, Halloween crafts, local food booths and live musical performances.
Mark your calendars for the third weekend in October when the Silverado Days Festival takes over William Peak Park. Enjoy carnival rides, games, food and costume contests. October also brings another opportunity to don your costume at Rock & Brews Annual Monster Beer Fest where you can enjoy over 100 craft beer samples, live concerts, food and more. If you haven’t had a chance to attend Family Fossil Days earlier in the year, plan to head to the Interpretive Center at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park on the first Saturday in September for this free three-hour tour of prehistoric Orange County, culminating in a fossil hunt at a real dig site.
WINTER
While the Buena Park weather may only barely show the coming of winter, the activity around town takes on a festive vibe during the last months of the year. Buena Park takes the opportunity to say “Thanks!” to military personnel during the months of November and December with hotel, attraction and dining deals, and free admission to Knott’s Berry Farm. Fire and police personnel also receive the royal treatment on select days in December and January when they and a guest get in free to Knott’s Berry Farm. In late November, look for the winter wonderland of Knott’s Merry Farm to come to life. Get in a festive mood with nightly snowfall, live shows and holiday food through early January.
Continue the festive celebration at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure with the special Pirates Take Christmas show throughout the month of December. This interactive Christmas dinner show and three-course holiday feast will have you chanting “Ahoy, matey!” instead of “Bah humbug!” Step back in time as archaeologists lead a free three-hour tour of prehistoric Orange County culminating in a fossil hunt at a real dig site. Mark your calendars for the first Saturday of December and February for this insightful event held at the Interpretive Center in Ralph B. Clark Regional Park.
Ring in the New Year as only Knott’s Berry Farm knows how to do it with exclusive entertainment, specialty food and a midnight fireworks spectacular. Then continue the celebration into January and February with the Peanuts Celebration. Knott’s will offer Peanuts-themed shows, rides, food and interactive experiences with your favorite characters including Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and Pig Pen.
For more information contact Visit Buena Park at 800-541-3953 or www.visitbuenapark.com.
Whatever the season, Buena Park is offering exciting events for all throughout the city. With annual festivals, seasonal waterpark, dinosaur digs and more, you’ll want to mark your calendars to keep up with all the Buena Park happenings.