Take Christmas magic underground and hear Christmas carols as you've never heard them before in a unique cave setting.

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The World's Longest Cave System

Mammoth Cave's name isn't lying, the cave system really is mammoth. In fact, did you know that Mammoth Cave is the longest cave in the world?  It's true!  And Mammoth Cave just recently got even longer.  Just in the past couple of years, the Cave Research Foundation found 8 new miles of the cave system.  Mammoth Cave's system now has 420 miles of known passageways.  You can read more about this incredible discovery, here. While there are many natural wonders inside the Mammoth Cave system, there's one event that brings many to the cave every year to kick off the Christmas season.

A Holiday Tradition

Nothing gets you into the Christmas spirit quite like hearing Christmas carols.   During this unique event, you'll get to hear Christmas carols like never before, inside of a cave.  The event will feature performances of carols by different groups.

The tradition of Christmas celebrations inside of Mammoth Cave dates back to the winter of 1883.

During the winter of 1883, a group of local residents to the Mammoth Cave area planned a Christmas celebration in the cave. The party consisted of carols, laughter, and even the hanging of the green. A ten foot pine tree was brought into the cave and stood in the Methodist Church area of the cave. Ribbons and popcorn were used for decorating the tree, while lanterns and candles were used to illuminate the surroundings.

After Christmas was over, the tree did not leave. Maybe it was left as a reminder of a happier day or simply a wonderful memory.

 

The Cave Sing festivities begin at 2 p.m. on December 3rd  at the Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center. Wear good walking shoes and dress warmly as the cave will be a chilly 54 degrees!  Mammoth Cave National Park also says St. Nick will also be at the National Park to kick off the holiday season. Read more about Cave Sing, here.