Mammoth Cave National Park will host is 44th annual Cave Sing on Dec. 3. The free holiday event will feature musical performances by The Band Table Singers and The Caveman Chorus.

Mammoth Cave National Park is offering visitors a unique way to experience Christmas music with the return of the annual Cave Sing on Dec. 3.

In its 44th year, the event observes a tradition dating back to 1883, when local residents hauled a pine Christmas tree into the cave and gathered for a celebration of fellowship and music.

“Our modern cave sing began in 1980,” said Molly Schroer, the park’s public information officer. “Each year, we invite local singing groups to perform inside the cave for our visitors.”

Schroer said the free event will begin at 2 p.m. behind the visitor center, where guests will meet one of the guides who will lead them to the Historic Entrance into Rafinesque Hall.

This year’s performances will include two groups with local ties to the community, The Band Table Singers and The Caveman Chorus, who will sing traditional Christmas carols.

“The Band Table Singers out of Glasgow is literally a group of friends who got their start by singing at their high school breakfast table,” she said. “They have performed all around the area.”

The other group, The Caveman Chorus, has been a part of the southcentral Kentucky arts community for over 50 years. The a capella group performs many genres of music, from barbershop favorites to rock and roll classics and jazz standards to patriotic anthems.

“They have performed at the cave sing before,” Schroer said. “And they love coming to the cave to sing. It’s one of their favorite events.”

Schroer said that last year’s cave sing was well attended.

“We had a large group last year because it was the first year back since COVID-19 and also because the weather was nice, so we are hoping for some nice weather this year.”

Schroer recommends arriving at the visitor center early to catch the entertainment provided by some of the guides.

“Luckily, we have some very talented guides who will be playing instruments, like trumpets and flutes, to entertain the guests,” she said.

Information from a press release said guests should be prepared for an approximately 0.75 mile round trip walk to reach the performance area. The access trail includes a steep outdoor hillside to and from the cave’s entrance with a total of 130 stairs.

Inside the cave, guests will travel along broad walkways through the largest passageways. Although the trail is mostly level, some hilly and uneven areas exist.

The performance area is in a natural environment with low lighting and a temperature of around 54 degrees, so guests should dress accordingly.

There are no seating options and the performance is estimated to last around 45 minutes to one hour.

Light refreshments will be served after the performance in the visitor center, where there will also be a visit from Santa Claus.

“This is such a great start to the holiday season,” Schroer said. “It’s a fun time to get out and listen to Christmas carols in a beautiful and inspiring environment.”