Upcoming Events
Upcoming events in Wisconsin's Jewel Box of Caves
Cave of the Mounds offers a variety of events; stay tuned for more!
Cave of Lights
The festivities continue above ground with the park and buildings decorated to the brim with lights and holiday whimsey. Whether you’re wandering through the glowing cave or enjoying the sparkling outdoor displays, this event is sure to bring the holiday spirit to life!
This season, as the weather gets colder outside, come warm up in the 50° underground. This opportunity to see the lights will be on every cave tour all month long in December. We are open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM with the last cave entry at 4 PM.
Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Coming from far away? Select dates in December and January will have extended hours with final tours entering at 7:00pm. See below for dates.
Winter Escape
Kicking off the New Year with our popular Cave After Dark series with Winter Escape: a Hawaiian-themed party designed to bring a burst of tropical warmth to the chilly Midwest winter. Guests are invited to trade their winter coats and adorn their Hawaiian shirts and beach hats as they explore the uniquely lit cave.
The cave will feature ambient lighting while the sounds of live music echo throughout. The event includes entry to the cave, one complimentary drink, appetizers, and a souvenir photo. The natural stone formations of the Cave of the Mounds amplify the setting, transporting attendees to an exotic escape amidst the stunning underground scenery.
Love on the Rocks
Celebrate LOVE underground this Valentine’s Day at Cave of the Mounds! Join us for an enchanting evening in the cave, filled with live music that sets the perfect romantic ambiance. Capture the moment with a keepsake photo in our one-of-a-kind cave setting.
Enjoy a complimentary drink and appetizers to make the night even more special. Bring your partner or friends for a unique Valentine’s experience surrounded by nature’s wonders, deep within the beautiful backdrop of Cave of the Mounds.
St. Patty’s Celebration
Go green for our St. Patty’s Celebration with a one-of-a-kind party at Cave of the Mounds! Embrace the spirit of the Irish with LIVE MUSIC in the cave, laughter, and a one-of-a-kind underground adventure. Whether you’re feeling lucky or just looking for a good time, this event is the perfect way to celebrate St. Patty’s Day!
Enjoy a themed beverage to kick off the evening, then savor tasty bites as you mingle. After that make your way to experience the magic of the cave in this exclusive after-dark event. Pose with fun St. Patty’s day props and take home the keepsake pictures to remember the night.
Space is limited, so secure your spot now for an unforgettable night of St. Patty’s fun!
Guided Black Light Tours
January 5th, 11th, 12th, 19th, and 25th at 4:30 PM
February 1st, 8th, and 22nd at 4:30 PM
Unique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light.
You will learn about ultraviolet light, fluorescence, and see the speleothems GLOW! The tour price includes a black light rental and a guided tour of Cave of the Mounds.
Tickets are non-refundable. Please be aware, that tours are held in the dark which may be inappropriate for very young children.
Tickets are available 1-month before the event
Blacklight & Brews Tour
January 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st at 5 PM
February 7th, 14th, 21st, and 22nd at 5 PM
Cave of the Mounds is thrilled to announce the launch of its exclusive Blacklight & Brews Tour, an enchanting and unforgettable experience designed for adults. This unique tour promises a captivating journey through the cave, illuminated by ultraviolet lights that reveal the dazzling beauty of fluorescent minerals and formations.
Important Information for Attendees
- Age Restriction: This event is strictly for guests aged 21 and over. Children and infants will not be permitted entry.
- ID Requirement: All guests must bring a valid photo ID for entry.
- Ticket Information: Tickets for the Blacklight & Brews Tour are non-refundable and will be available for purchase one month before the event. Please note that the tours are held in the dark.
Fossil Tours
February 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd at 4:30 PM
Walk through an ancient ocean and look for fossils older than the dinosaurs. In a limestone cave, there are many fossils to see. Learn from our Cave Educator about different fossils that have been discovered.
Fossilization is rare. According to the BBC, scientists estimate that less than one-tenth of 1% of all creatures on earth become fossils. Feel like a geologist, archeologist, or paleontologist by looking for fossils along the cave trail.
Along your tour, collect some fossils to take home with you in a reusable bag. The fossils are similar to the ones you will find in the limestone of the cave.
Historic Lantern Tours
TBD
Discover the cave like the first explorers. Walk through the cave using only lanterns and flashlights. Feel as though you are one of the first people to ever see the cave.
Cave of the Mounds was accidentally discovered during a quarry blast. The first who entered were quarry workers, a farmer, and a 17-year-old boy. They were the first to ever lay eyes on the cave as there are no natural entrances. No animal or human had ever seen the cave until 1939.
Today there are more than 400 known caves in the state of Wisconsin but often found in people’s backyards like this one. In fact, cave explorers find hundreds of caves in America each year!
Get a glimpse into the spelunking world!
Tickets available 1-month before event.
Easter EGGstravaganza
Come for our Easter EGGstravaganza! With many events and activities to spend the day visiting.
March 29th through 31st 2024
During the tour, a pathway is lit with hundreds of GLOWING eggs. See the amazing glow from the eggs and see the cave in a whole new light. Purchase one of our Easter Rock Hunt bags for $2 in addition to your ticket fee to receive rock and fossil treasures underground at stations inside Cave of the Mounds!
An Easter Hunt will done each day at 10 AM by the Historic Brigham Barn. Earn rocks and fossils for each egg found. Max of 10 eggs per participant. The cost is $5 per child under the age of 12.
Ebenezer Birthday Walk N Talk
Ebenezer Brigham settled near Cave of the Mounds in 1828. He was a lead miner, businessman, and Wisconsin Historic Figure. We celebrate his birthday on April 28th, with a free hike around the property showing this amazing area that Ebenezer roamed. He even had visitors like the famous Increase Allen Lapman and Chief Snake.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EBENEZER BRIGHAM
Hikes will depart at 11 AM and 2 PM.
Discovery Days
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAVE OF THE MOUNDS!
Cave of the Mounds was discovered on August 4, 1939. Come celebrate our 84th anniversary with a week packed with fun! From August 4th to August 8th, 2024, special events happening both above and below ground.
In the Cave, there will be a special flashlight experience like the first explorers in the cave for every person visiting during this event. Free History Walks across our property at 10 AM & 1 PM and the Historic Brigham Farm will be open with historic displays available for free!
No need to sign up or pre-order, all activities can be added at the door. More activities will be announced closer to the event. Stay tuned for more!
HOLLOW-een
HOLLOW-een at Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin is all of October. October 1st through 31st. Costumes are encouraged. They will be led by a guide and trick-or-treaters will receive a mix of rocks and fossils at stations in the cave.
Don’t be afraid of the dark – join us for the month of October for HOLLOW-een at Cave of the Mounds! Enjoy this sugar-less trick-or-treat experience at Cave of the Mounds. Anyone who wants to join can for an extra $2 charge per person when buying a ticket. This includes a reusable cloth bag, crystals & fossils that you will get in a trick-or-treat style throughout the cave. Trick-or-Treat for rocks and fossils from all over the world while exploring the Cave of the Mounds.
Purchase at the Ticket Desk or online after September 5th, 2024
*Note: Guest must buy tour ticket to join in this experience.