Music on the Mountain is returning to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park this summer with fewer concerts, bigger bands and a renewed focus on turning the mountaintop series into a full concert experience.

The series, which begins Saturday, has been trimmed from as many as 16 concerts in past years to four larger Saturday night shows. Glenwood Caverns General Manager Nancy Heard said the change is meant to shift the series from a casual afternoon music format into a more polished summer concert lineup.

“We’re spending a lot more on fewer concerts,” Heard said. “We used to have eight to 16 bands, and now we have four big ones, so we’re spending some more money to get some higher-caliber talent in here.”

This year’s Music on the Mountain schedule includes Deer Creek Sharp Shooters on Saturday, Los Cheesies on June 13, The Burroughs on Aug. 15 and The Petty Nicks Experience on Aug. 22.

The Saturday kickoff event will benefit Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers. The remaining concerts will benefit VOICES, Buddy Program and the Chris Klug Foundation.

Each concert will run from 5 to 9 p.m., with music from 6 to 9 p.m. A $5 donation entry fee will be collected after 5 p.m. at the ticket window, with proceeds benefiting that night’s nonprofit. The donation includes gondola access to the mountaintop concert, and annual pass holders are also asked to contribute the $5 donation.

Heard said supporting local nonprofits has been part of Music on the Mountain since the beginning.

“It started 18 years ago, and it’s always benefited a community partner in one way or another,” Heard said. “It started with a can for a tram, and the cans were donated to LIFT-UP, the local food bank.”

After the COVID-19 pandemic paused the series, the park returned with a different model, selecting a new nonprofit for each event and collecting the $5 donation.

“It’s really allowed us to touch many different nonprofits in the valley and help support many nonprofits over the years,” Heard said.

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Heard estimated the series distributes about $10,000 each summer to local nonprofits through Music on the Mountain, depending on weather, attendance and the bands.

The concerts will also include giveaways, drink specials, food specials and a best-dressed contest. The first 100 people up the mountain for Music on the Mountain beginning at 5 p.m. will receive a gift bag.

During the Saturday kickoff, Heard said guests are encouraged to dress formally, creatively or “outrageous” enough to add to the energy of the night.

“Just bring an energy and a vibe of some fun and creativity,” Heard said.

Rides will remain open until 9 p.m. during Music on the Mountain. The $5 donation covers gondola access and the concert, but guests who want to ride attractions can upgrade to a fun day pass for $47 once they are at the park.

Parking will be free after 5 p.m. for Music on the Mountain events. Due to the high volume expected during the concerts, annual passes cannot be processed during the event.

For Heard, Music on the Mountain has become one of the park’s longest-running community traditions.

“For me, this is an 18-year run,” Heard said. “It really has a special place for me, just having been on the team that came up with the idea and implemented it back in 2009.”

She said the best part has been seeing nonprofit groups come to the mountain, set up tables, connect with guests and gain exposure in the community.

“That’s probably the neatest part for me,” Heard said. “We’re excited to continue with that 18-year run of just giving back to the community.”

More information about Music on the Mountain is available at glenwoodcaverns.com.