By Charly SHELTON

Knott’s Berry Farm’s annual Peanuts Celebration returns for another festival of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the whole gang. They will be featured front-and-center across the park. Unlike other festivals, which lean heavily into Knott’s history or culinary roots, this festival is less a transformation of the park and more a light seasonal overlay – a little extra color, a few more characters and a playful boost to what’s already there.

That’s both its strength and its limitation.

Knott’s’ other festivals have some defining characteristic, some value add, that set them apart from normal operations. They are driven by food, like the Boysenberry Festival, or introduce major new entertainment offerings, like Ghost Town Alive. But Peanuts Celebration builds on the existing Peanuts presence with additional character appearances, dance moments and themed décor throughout the park. Charlie Brown, Snoopy and friends are out in greater numbers – dancing, posing for photos and generally adding a little extra energy to the day – particularly for families with younger kids.

Food does play a role, though it’s not the headline act. Several seasonal dishes are available throughout the park and we tried a couple last weekend when Knott’s brought us out to experience the festival. 

Neither the gruyere cheese Raclette baked potato or the Garlic Parmesan Juicy Lucy were spectacular. The cheese sauce on the potato was an odd texture, especially as it cooled over time. And the burger wasn’t melted inside; it was just ground beef around a block of solid cheese, which defeats the purpose of the Juicy Lucy. This is a rare miss for Knott’s Berry Farm food. Even beyond those, the culinary lineup is relatively modest compared to Knott’s food-forward festivals like Boysenberry Festival or Merry Farm. This isn’t an event you attend with an empty stomach and a checklist; it’s more of a casual add-on if you’re already spending the day in the park.

Entertainment follows a similar pattern. There’s a returning stage show and a new cavalcade trolley dance party, but they’re mainly just Peanuts characters dancing to generic music. For kids – especially those already familiar with the characters – that’s more than enough. The joy is in the simplicity: seeing Snoopy break into a dance, stumbling across Charlie Brown mid-park or catching a quick photo with characters you don’t always see.

That simplicity is ultimately what defines the Peanuts Celebration. It’s probably the weakest of Knott’s annual festivals if you’re measuring by food variety or unique entertainment, but it’s also the most low-pressure. There’s nothing you have to do, no long lines to chase, no sense that you’re missing the main attraction if you take it slow.

For families, especially those visiting with kids, that can be a plus. The added Peanuts presence gives younger guests more to discover and the park feels lighter, friendlier and easygoing.

The Peanuts Celebration may not be a must-do event, but it’s a pleasant reminder of Knott’s identity – nostalgic, character-driven and rooted in simple fun. And sometimes that’s enough.