The highly anticipated Twilight Concert Series will return to Pioneer Park for its 26th season. The lineup includes performances from Belle & Sebastian, Blitzen Trapper, The Flaming Lips, CSS, The National, Sharon Van Etten, Grizzly Bear, Youth Lagoon, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Kid Cudi, Empire of the Sun and MGMT.

Twenty-six years ago, Casey Jarman, creator and director of the Twilight Concert Series, saw the need for good affordable entertainment on the Wasatch Front. As a member of the Salt Lake City Arts Council, Jarman converted an existing but waning program into what has become the Twilight Concert Series.

In the beginning, Jarman said, the concert series was held at the Salt Lake Art Center amphitheater and admission was free. When the event outgrew the amphitheater, the concert series was moved to the Gallivan Center. Again, the Twilight Concert Series continued to grow in popularity and attendees, and was moved to Pioneer Park, where it will play every Thursday from July 18 to Sept. 5, including one Wednesday performance on Aug. 7.

In previous years, the Twilight Concert Series has been free to the public, but due to rising costs, tickets are $5, with season tickets costing $35.

Jarman said that while the concert series has seen and experienced performers of many different genres over the years, his main aim for the concert series is to provide good music and to “expose (citizens) to new music (that is) just a little bit different for Salt Lake City.”

In the past, the Twilight Concert Series has presented groups like Doc Watson, Modest Mouse, and Iron & Wine. This year, a few of the headlining artists include Kid Cudi and The Flaming Lips.

Along with an eclectic lineup, the Twilight Concert Series also offers a diverse market for patrons. The market accompanying the concert series includes 20 food vendors and food trucks, as well as 20-30 artists making everything from jewelry to clothing, according to Jarman.