If you are anywhere near Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park on December 7, you are in luck. One of the most memorable public holiday events you’ll ever experience awaits. Even if you have to drive a ways to get there, you will likely be glad you did.
The national park will host its 46th annual Cave Sing celebration on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m., CST. The free holiday event will feature musical performances inside the cave by the Heart of Kentucky Chorus and Butler County Middle School auditioned choir, and pre-event music at the visitor center by vocalist Markita Connor and pianist John Baumgardner.
“Each year we look forward to kicking off the holidays with the unique and beloved tradition of Cave Sing at Mammoth Cave,” said Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “The music, the setting, and the spirit of the season come together to create a truly magical experience underground.”
In addition to two groups performing inside the cave, holiday music will greet guests as they arrive to the visitor center starting at 1 p.m. Light refreshments will be served immediately after Cave Sing in the lobby of The Lodge at Mammoth Cave, where there will also be a visit from Santa Claus.
Attendees should be prepared for large crowds at the visitor center and inside the cave. No tickets or advanced reservations are required, but all participants must meet the event guide behind the park visitor center before departing for the Historic Entrance. Event participants will walk approximately 0.75 miles round trip to reach the performance area. The cave access trail includes a steep outdoor hillside with a total of 130 stairs.
Bring a jacket
Inside the cave participants will travel along broad passageways and walkways. The trail is mostly level, but some hilly and uneven areas exist. The performance area is a natural environment with low lighting and a temperature of around 54 degrees. Even though the cave air stays near a constant temperature, wind chills near the entrance may be much cooler. There are no seating options at the performance area, and the estimated performance time is around 1 hour.
Cave Sing is made possible through the contributions of the Friends of Mammoth Cave National Park and park concessioner, ExplorUS, as well as volunteers who assist in coordinating this annual event.
This year’s performers
The Heart of Kentucky Chorus from Elizabethtown, KY, will make their second appearance at Cave Sing. The group is a barbershop mixed ensemble of more than 40 members and is directed by Aaron Dale. Since forming in 2003, the group has entertained tens of thousands of people at hundreds of public performances and is known for its warm, joyful sound and its commitment to harmony throughout central Kentucky and beyond.
The Butler County Middle School auditioned choir is an American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) honor’s choir composed of 65 students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades who perform at events around the region and state throughout the year.
Mammoth Cave guide and self-taught banjoist, Jake Penn, will entertain guests as they travel through the cave to the performance area. Jake specializes in 19th century musical style. He joined the National Park Service in 2021 and enjoys incorporating music into his educational programs, especially living history presentations.
Vocalist Markita Connor and pianist John Baumgardner will perform holiday music for event guests inside the visitor center to welcome guests to Cave Sing. The duo has made music together at weddings, restaurants, churches, cocktail lounges, private parties, and corporate/special events for more than 30 years. Their performance styles include jazz and blues standards to Top 40 tunes from most decades.
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