The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum in Alameda, California, will once again transform portions of the historic aircraft carrier into a haunted attraction this fall with the return of the Haunted Hornet. Running from September 24 through November 1, the 2026 event will feature a new storyline titled The Devil’s Sea, created in collaboration with Dead Time Dreams Haunted Attractions. According to organizers, this year’s experience invites visitors aboard a USS Hornet overtaken by the mysterious influence of the Devil’s Sea, a supernatural realm said to lure sailors with promises of power, wealth, and untold rewards. Guests will navigate darkened passageways throughout the carrier while encountering themed environments, theatrical effects, creatures, and live scare actors.
(Image credit: USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum)
The haunted attraction will make use of the ship’s historic interior spaces, allowing visitors to move through corridors and compartments that provide a distinctive setting unlike that of a traditional haunted house. Organizers note that the experience includes darkness, sudden scares, special effects, and tight passageways, and is recommended for visitors ages 13 and older. Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Timed-entry admission will again be used throughout the event, allowing visitors to select specific arrival windows. Advance reservations are recommended, although limited walk-up tickets may be available depending on capacity. Click HERE to get your tickets.
In addition to the haunted attraction itself, visitors will have access to the themed Devil’s Sea Bar, where a selection of specialty beverages, mocktails, and seasonal refreshments will be available before or after entering the attraction. Special admission options will be offered throughout the season, including military and veteran discounts for guests presenting valid identification. Halloween night, October 31, will feature expanded festivities, including combination ticket opportunities with the USS Hornet’s Monster Bash event. Because the Haunted Hornet takes place aboard a historic WWII-era aircraft carrier, visitors should be aware that portions of the route include narrow passageways, raised thresholds, steep ladders, and other features inherent to the ship’s original design. While the main Hangar Deck remains accessible, some areas of the attraction may present mobility challenges.
(Image credit: USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum)
The USS Hornet (CV-12) served with distinction during WWII before later taking part in the recovery of the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 astronauts. Today, the Essex-class aircraft carrier operates as the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum in Alameda, California, preserving the ship’s naval and aerospace legacy for future generations. The annual Haunted Hornet has grown into one of the Bay Area’s best-known Halloween attractions, drawing visitors who are eager to experience the historic carrier after dark. For more information and to support the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, click on this link: uss-hornet.org.
