Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival 2025 Complete Guide (NEW Updates)
Ever tried a cheeseburger in Caseville, MI? Now’s your chance! The Caseville Cheeseburger Festival, held every August, is the event of the season on Michigan’s Thumb coast. Since it started, it’s been one of my favrorite things to do in the summer, and I’m not alone!
2025 Caseville Cheeseburger Festival Complete Guide
Here’s everything you need to know about the Cheeseburger Festival, including where to purchase buttons and wristbands, the must-see events and more. So fill up your cooler, grab your beach chair and get ready for one of Michigan’s TOP summer events!
The 2025 Caseville Cheeseburger Festival is Scheduled for August 8-17, 2025
Get Ready For FUN at the Caseville Cheeseburger Festival
Smell the cheeseburgers wafting through the air? Hear the sounds of Jimmy Buffett songs mingled with the laughs of partygoers on a Lake Huron beach?
Yep. It’s time for the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival. This highly-anticipated Huron County event is held mid-August , bringing thousands annually to the little town of 800 year-round citizens. It’s a great way to celebrate the final weeks of summer in Caseville, a fun Michigan resort town known for its beautiful beaches and casual, laid-back vibe.
We’ve got the complete 2025 guide to this fun fest on the shores of Caseville’s Saginaw Bay, including the schedule of all of the top events (like the Parade of Tropical Fools), musical entertainment, where to find the best food, and all the tips for attending the Caseville Cheeseburger Festival.
New to our 2025 guide is suggestions for places to stay during the event! You can find them at the bottom of the post.
Read on for the Complete Guide to the 2025 Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival.
Festivities for the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival take place throughout the town, but many concerts and events take place at the County Park Amphitheatre in downtown Caseville, at 6400 Main St., Caseville MI.
About the 2025 Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival
The 27th annual Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival is scheduled for August 8-17, 2025.
Folks are already making plans for some Michigan fun in the sun – but what IS the amazing Caseville Cheeseburger festival all about?
It all started with musician Jimmy Buffett’s signature song, “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” an ode to his “carnivorous” love of cheeseburgers and a dream of eating them in a tropical paradise. Inspired by Buffet’s tropical music and carefree attitude, the Cheeseburger in Caseville festival began in 1999 as a way to wrap up summer with a bang while drawing tourists into town.
Now, 26 years later, thousands flock to the shores of Caseville at the tip of Michigan’s Thumb to enjoy friends, family and fun at the “Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival” each August.
This popular festival grew quickly, Caseville has even earned the nickname “Key North,” an homage to Buffett’s beloved Key West. At this “celebration of life and the cruise we are making through it,” as Buffett says, you can enjoy ten full days of fun, games, music, sun, and (of course) cheeseburgers!
PRO-TIP: The Saginaw Bay coast between Caseville and Port Austin, is home to some of the prettiest beaches in Michigan. Be sure to use our Guide to the Best Caseville and Port Austin Beaches to find your perfect Michigan beach!
Caseville Cheeseburger Festival Location
Caseville is located at the tip of Michigan’s Thumb, just about 20 minutes west of Port Austin. most of the festival events take place at the Caseville County Park Ampitheatre at 6400 Main Street,
How to Get to the Cheeseburger Festival
There’s parking throughout the city, but since Caseville is such a small town, it can be tight on the weekends and on Wednesday, August 13, the day of the Parade of the Tropical Fools.
This parade is one of my favorite events at the festival, and starts at 5:30 p.m. and meanders through town for about 90 minutes.
You might want to consider taking the Shuttle service offered by Thumb Area Transit which costs around $3 per ride. Bus stops in include Port Crescent State Park, Oak Beach County Park, Sleeper State Park and the ampitheatre at the Caseville County Park. The shuttle typically operates from 3 p.m. until midnight. You can find more info about the shuttle service here.
Event Admission to Cheeseburger in Caseville
While almost all of the events at the Cheeseburger festival are free, the concerts at the ampitheter in the Caseville County Park are require admission. You can choose to purchase a button or wristband for admission. A button, good for one day, costs $8. Or, you can choose to purchase a button for $15, which is good for the entire 10-day festival.
You can purchase both buttons and wristabands from any local business in town. The money collected from the buttons goes to support the festival.
The Parade of Tropical Fools
The 2025 Parade of Tropical Fools is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13 at 5:30 p.m. If you’re looking to the ultimate summer beach party, this is the place to be. Put on your best grass skirts; brightly-colored shirts; grab your plastic flamingo head to downtown Caseville for this non-stop fun fest.
It’s a very popular event: you’ll join more than 70,000 others who line the streets, hoping to catch beads, candy, frisbees and other goodies that are thrown from the parade floats. Be sure and bring your camera, not only are the floats amazing, but the tropical costumes (think Cheeseburger hats) worn by the parade-goers are pretty fun, too!
Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival Daily Events
There are events and contests that run for the duration of the festival. It’s a full 10 days of fun for all ages, complete with an actual “Parade of Tropical Fools.” The events starting on opening day and include daily concerts (see the schedule lineup below), sand castle-building contests, hula-hoop contests, family fun days and more! My favorite events include:
Annual Cheeseburger Amateur Best Photo Contest
Beginning on opening day, submit your best cheeseburger themes photo via email to the Caseville Chamber of Commerce for a chance to win. You can also drop oof at the Chamber Office, 6632 Main St., or mail: PO Box 122 Caseville, MI 48725
Annual Best Dressed Business in Town
Businesses in Caseville go all out for decorating during the festival. The top votes will determine which business is best dressed for Cheeseburger in Caseville.
Sandcastle Building Contest
Each weekend during the festival, enter the sand-castle building contest on the beach at Caseville County Park. Even if you’re not participating in the building, you’ll see amazing sand architecture right in front of your eyes!
Cardboard Boat Race
See some amazingly creative cardbord boats as they race toward the finish line. This is one of our favorite festival events!
My favorite Daily and Recurring Events
What: Cheeseburger Museum – “WHAT IS IT” Free Contest Noon – 4:30 pm (Winners announced Saturday 8/17)
When: Aug. 8-16
Where: Historical Society Museum
What: Buy a Duck, Race the Duck, Win a Buck. Race Sunday August 22nd across from Key North Surf Shop
Where: Ducks Sold at Chamber Office
When: Aug. 8-17
What: Stand up Paddleboard & Kayak Sunset Session and Electric Foil Boarding Lesson & Session
Where: Register at Thumbs Up Kiteboarding – 989 856-3333 – Caseville County Beach
When: Aug. 8-17
What: Sidewalk Chalk 9-2 pm
Where: Chuck’s Drive-Thru Diner
When: Aug. 8-17
Where to Catch the Cheeseburger Concerts in 2025
2025 Cheeseburger Band Schedule – TBD
Check back regularly: we’ll publish the band line-up as soon as it becomes available!
Daily Event Schedule
Friday, August 8, 2025
- 9am – Annual Best Photo Contest Starts
- 9am- Annual “Best Dressed Cheeseburger House” Contest Starts – Send your photo to email@casevillechamber.com winner announced Aug. 12th
- 10-11am – Kayak Lesson & Session – Register Thumbs Up Kiteboarding 989 856-3333
- Noon-3pm – Kookie Golf at Key North Adventure Golf
- 1-4pm – Kickoff to Cheeseburger Golf Outing @ Scenic Golf Course –
- 6pm-8pm – Slime Party – Cost $5 at Key North Adventure Golf
- 4pm – Best Cheeseburger Contest at the Independent Bank
- 7:30-10:30pm- Music at the Amphitheater
Saturday, August 9th
- 7:45am – Cheeseburger Kiddie Cruise (Ages 5-10) 989 453-5252 – County Park
- 8 am – Cheeseburger Fun Run – 5K Run/Walk Sponsored by Scheurer Health – 989-453-5252 Pre-Register until Aug 5th – Caseville County Park – https://scheurerhosp.enmotive.com/
- 8:00 am – Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – sold at two locations until gone – Proceeds to the Caseville Public School Band – Mainsail & County Park Entrance
- 8:30am – Yoga on the Beach featuring Mary Donnellion (Just bring your mat) – Caseville County Beach
- 9am-4pm – Cheeseburger Festival Craft Show – Caseville Public Schools
- 10-3 pm – Sand Castles & Sculptures – Sponsored by SOS Save Our Shoreline – Caseville County Beach
- 11am-6pm – World Famous Firehouse Burgers – Today Only – Caseville Fire Hall
- 11am-3pm – Hat Making Workshop – Caseville Athletics – Caseville County Park
- 12:30 pm – Cornhole Tournament – Registration starts at 11 am – $60/team Competitive or $40/team Social – For details call Chaz at (810) 397-8680 – Caseville County Park
- 7-7:30pm – Military Tribute Sponsored by Independent Bank – Amphitheater
- 7:30-10:30pm – Johnny Russler and the Beach Bums (Buffett Tribute Band) – https://beachbumband.com/home – Sponsored by Independent Bank/Paradigm Accounting at the Amphitheater
- Dusk-12am – Glow Golf – Key North Adventure
- 9pm – Annual Key North Conch Honk Contest – Amphitheater
Sunday, August 10th
- 10-11am – Stand Up Paddleboard Lesson & Session – Thumbs Up Kiteboarding register – 989 856-3333 – Caseville County Beach
- 10am – Bags, Balls & Burgers (2 Man Golf Scramble & Corn Hole Tournament) Prize Money – Register 989 856-2613 – Caseville Golf Course –
- 11am – Worship Service – Amphitheater
- Noon-2:30pm – Chase Murphy
- Noon-3pm – Free Family Fun Day – face painting, games, inflatables, petting zoo & pony rides – Sponsored by DTE Foundation, Meijer, M3 Wireless Inc. – Wooded Island II
- Noon- 8pm BBQ Diner @ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
- 4 pm – Minnow Race – $5 Entry Feeng Contest – Key North Adventure Golf
- 7-10pm The Music Doctors (Variety Band) – https://airmargaritaville.net/ – Sponsored by Bay Port Inn 2020 Inc., Ignash Petroleum & Drop N Bins
Monday, August 11th
- 10am – Kayak Lesson & Session – Register at Thumbs Up Kiteboarding – (989) 856-3333 – Caseville County Beach
- 10am-1pm – Glitter Tattoos – $5 – Lemon Tree Marketplace
- 2pm – Water Balloon Toss contest (ages 5-8 & 9-12) – $1.00 – Dairy Queen
- 3pm – Flamingo Races for Children – Rainbow Motel
- 3-5pm – Family Bingo – 6937 Main St. – 989 856-8899 – Lefty’s Diner
- 4 pm – Minnow Races – Cost $5 – Key North Adventure Golf
- 6pm – Kiddie Parade – Sponsored by Keepsakes Gifts –
- 6:30-8:30pm – Live Music – Thumb Brewery
- 9pm – Glow Ball Night Golf (No Carts) – Call for reservations – 989 856-2613 – Caseville Golf Course –
Tuesday, August 12th
- 10-11am – Stand Up Paddleboard Lesson & Session – Thumbs Up Kiteboarding register – 989 856-3333 – Caseville County Beach
- 10am-1:00pm – Health Expo-Sponsored by Scheurer Health & Covenant Health – Caseville County Park
- 9:00am register – 10:00 judging – Whiskey’s Paw Paw Beach Dog Costume Competition with Nick Thomasama – Benefit Thumb Animal Shelter – Suggested donation $5.00 – Music by The Bentlys Band – Thumb Brewery
- Noon – 3 pm = Glitter Tattoos – Cost $6 at Key North Adventure Golf
- 1:00pm – Best Cheeseburger Decorated Golf Cart Contest – Sponsored by Bullfrogs Paddlesports – at The Wooded Island II
- 2-3pm – Hoola Hoop & Limbo Contest – Dairy Queen
- 4-5:30 pm – Adult & Teen Joker Poker Run -at Lemon Tree Marketplace
- 7-10pm – Live Music at the Amphitheater
- During Break – “Best Dressed Cheeseburger House” Award – Amphitheater
Wednesday, August 13th
- 10 am – 2 pm – Hat making Workshop – Caseville Athletics
- Noon-2:30pm – Steely Dan the Pan -Thumb Brewery
- 1-3 pm – Slime Party ($5 Entry Fee)
- 2 pm – Bubble Gum Blowing Contest (Free) – at Key North Adventure Golf
- 2 pm – Cheeseburger Eating Contest – Cost $15 – Wooded Island II
- 3-6 pm – Don Middlebrook – Memorial/City Park (Trop Rock) – Sponsored by LeBlancs
- 5:30-7pm – Parade of Tropical Fools
- 6:30-10:30pm – Live Music at the Amphitheater
- Dusk until Midnight – Glow Golf at Key North Adventure Golf
Thursday, Aug 14th
- 10-11:00am – Stand Up Paddleboard Lesson & Session – Register at Thumbs Up Kiteboarding – 989 856-3333 – Caseville County Beach
- 10 am – Lei Making – $5 at Key North Adventure Golf
- 10am-1pm – Kids Safety Day – Sponsored by Scheurer Health – Caseville Fire Hall
- 11am – Key North Golf Scramble – Sponsored by Thumb Bank and Trust at Scenic Golf Course
- 1-3pm – Kids Foam Party – In the Tent at Dufty’s Blue Water Inn
- 2-4pm – Hoola Hoop Happy Hour, Glenbrooke, Josh Ramsey at Thumb Brewery
- 4-5pm – Mud Bath (Bathe in the Mud – don’t forget your towels) – Sponsored by Caseville Fire Department (Located ½ mile south on Caseville Road
- 7-10 pm – Live Music at the Amphitheater
Friday, August 15th
- 10-11am – Kayak Lesson & Session – Register at Thumbs Up Kiteboarding- 989 856-3333 – Caseville County Beach
- Noon – 3pm – Kookie Golf at Key North Adventure Golf
- 1pm – Bird Creek Cheeseburger Golf Scramble
- 6:30-7:30pm – Jimmy Lewis & Yves Levesque – Sponsored by Real Estate One – Amphitheater
- 7:30-10:30pm -Live Music at the Ampitheater
- 9:00 pm – Glow Ball Night Golf (No Carts) – Call for reservations – 989 856-2613 – Caseville Golf Course –
Saturday, August 16h
- 8am – Krispy Kreme Doughnuts sold at 2 locations until gone – Proceeds benefit the Caseville School Band – Mainsail & County Park Entrance·
- 8:30 – Beach Volleyball –
- 8:30am – Yoga on the Beach featuring Mary Donnellion – Just bring your mat – Caseville County Beach·
- 10:30am-12:30pm – Children’s Story Hour & Meet the Young Author.
- 9-4pm – Cheeseburger Festival Craft Show – Caseville Public Schools
- 10am-3pm – Sand Castles & Sculptures – Sponsored by Michigan Sugar at the Caseville County Beach·
- Noon-3:00pm- Third Degree Burn Classic Rock – Sponsored by Caseville Hardware & Caseville Family Market- https://3dbband.com/ – Memorial City Park·
- 12:30pm – Cornhole Tournament – Registration starts at 11 am – $60/team Competitive or $40/team Social – For details call Chaz at 810 397-8680 – Caseville County Park.
- 1-3pm – Slime Party – $5 – Key North Adventure Golf·
- 4-5:30 pm – Row, Row, Row Your Cardboard Boat – Click Below -Sponsored by Caseville Resort & Dufty’s Blue Water Inn – Caseville County Beach·
- 6:30-7:30 pm – Live Music at the Amphitheater
- Dusk-12am – Glow Golf – Key North Adventure Golf·
Sunday, August 17th
- 10-4pm – Classic Car Show – Click – Sponsored by AgriValley Services, Thumb Cellular & Lemon Tree Marketplace – Concessions available by the Caseville Class of 2025- Caseville County Beach
- Noon – The Great Duck Race Next to Key North Surf Shop – Sponsored by Bullfrogs Paddlesports, LLC
- 5pm – Cheeseburger Amateur & Professional Photo Contest Ends – Chamber Office – Drop Off – 6632 Main St., mail to – PO Box 122 Caseville, MI 48725, or Email email@casevillechamber.com –
More Favorite Caseville Cheeseburger Festival Events
- Grab some fresh Krispy Kreme Donuts to start your day off right, and then Get active by playing beach volleyball, committing to the Cheeseburger Fun Run – 5k or doing relaxing yoga on the beach.
- Try a world famous firehouse burger and enjoy a variety of shows at the amphitheater, including the Conch honk contest and a military tribute.
- You’ll also find a lot of family activities including face painting, glitter tattoos, games, inflatables, a petting zoo, and even a seashell hunt.
- The Bags & Balls golf scramble and cornhole tournament is also today, so get a partner and get competitive.
- Later in the evening, try a famous chicken dinner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church if you need a break from burgers and join the Circle of Drums & Hula Hoop on the Beach.
- Dedicated family events like the Flamingo Races for Children, Family Bingo, and later on the Kiddie Parade in the evening. If you’re looking to take the family to Caseville this summer, this is a great day for kid-friendly activities.
- There are also variety of activities for all ages. From Kids Caribbean Jewelry Making and more Family Bingo to the Joker Poker Run & Teen Joker Poker Run. The Best Dressed Cheeseburger House Award is a fun one too.
- Two more contests tht you wont want to miss include the Hat Making & Flip Flop Contest, followed by the Cheeseburger Eating Contest, of course.
Relax and recuperate from the competitive day with trop-rock music afterwards and let loose at the Parade of Tropical Fools in the evening.
Historical Tours & Cooling Stations
Take a step away from the hot sun to enjoy the cool air and learn a little bit about Caseville at any time during the festival. Did you know that Caseville started as a lumber town? You can learn more about this on a historical tour that runs throughout the festival. Don’t miss the chance to tour the Caseville Museum, one of Michigan’s unique historical museums.
Enjoy the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival
The Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival is one of the top summer festivals in Michigan. It’s a great chance to feel the tropical vibes at the top of Michigan’s Thumb! Don’t miss this family-friendly week of fun as an awesome summer comes to a close!