When visited at the right time of year, the town of Holly might feel like a place that was frozen in time almost a decade ago. But this tiny town packs a ton of charm and offers plenty of activities to keep families busy year-round. “You can live in a small town but not be far away from big amenities,” says Nick Klempp, director of the Holly Downtown Development Authority. “Our downtown – we call it ‘Main Street Holly’ – is really vibrant with charming historic buildings.” The classical buildings of downtown Holly and the area’s Victorian homes add to the town’s nostalgic ambiance, and the township’s appeal is amplified by its many celebrations, beautiful waterside parks and locally-owned shops and restaurants.
Welcome to the charming village of Holly, MI.
Spend the day shopping in downtown Holly.
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Battle Alley in downtown Holly is home to the annual Dickens Festival.
A Christmas celebration like no other
Lighting up downtown and donning the clothing styles of Victorian-era London, Holly residents celebrate the holidays in style with the Holly Dickens Festival. This month-long celebration brings to life Charles Dickens’ famous story “A Christmas Carol,” as street performers, local vendors and musicians recreate the magical world of Dickens. In the summer, town celebrations are more about local artists. At Art in the Alley, Holly residents can enjoy live music and shop the works of local woodworkers, jewelry makers and other artisans. For the bi-annual Holly Ladies Night Out, downtown Holly—known by residents as Main Street Holly—celebrates women with special discounts, raffle prizes and sales.
Holly’s unique shops and restaurants
Downtown Holly is a wonderland of locally-owned shopping and dining opportunities. Shops like Holly Antiques and Altered Designs along Saginaw Street sell antique furniture and unique home goods. Before shoppers drop, they can take a break at Battle Alley Coffee Company or grab a bite and refuel at Red Devil Restaurant, a favorite of Holly residents. On North Holly Road, residents can make a grocery run at Holly Foods Supermarket or kick back with a cold pint at Battle Alley Brewing Company.
Local businesses in Holly are overflowing with small-town charm.
Holly Cafe serves fresh pastries and baked goods.
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Victorian homes to match the vibe
Showcasing Victorian and Colonial styles, Holly’s most extravagant homes provide an enchanting ambiance for the town’s holiday festivities. Newer construction tends toward more modern designs with nods to the area’s historic architecture, while ranch-style homes add variety to the market and offer single-story living. Condos are also becoming popular, with new townhome-style developments popping up throughout the town. While new condos can sell between $185,000 and $250,000, ranch-style homes start around $100,000 and large lakefront homes can sell as high as $885,000. “I think people are seeing the value of living here with all of the community interest and the depth of housing options and styles,” says Lynne Juanita Summers, a relocation agent and senior specialist with Rivers Realty. That increasing interest has driven home prices higher, with the $315,000 median price representing a 5% increase from the previous year.
Homeowners with a knack for handy work enjoy renovating historic Victorian homes in Holly.
There are a wide variety of home styles in Holly, like this Queen Anne home.
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Holly High School offers strong academics and team sports in Holly, MI.
Holly Area School District
Earning a B on Niche, the Holly Area School District earns a reputation for high-quality education and competitive sports programs. The district is home to 3,110 students, making a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, and maintains a graduation rate of 88%. Schools in the area include Holly Academy and Holly High School.
Trails to hike, water to love and a tower to climb
Surrounded by lakes and green spaces, Holly nature lovers have much to love. Seven Lakes State Park gives parkgoers miles of trails and shorelines to enjoy. The peak of the climbing tower at Lakeside Memorial Park gives climbers a rewarding view when they top out, and the park’s trails meander alongside Bush Lake, providing great views of the water.
Holly Recreation Area has multiple beaches, and boat rentals to enjoy a day on the lake.
A local fishing at Seven Lakes State Park in Holly, MI.
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Residents of Holly have easy access to outdoor activities and local shops.
No public transit but decent access to highways
With its small size and plentiful sidewalks, Holly is incredibly walkable. However, the area lacks public transportation, and residents will need a car if they’re looking to travel beyond the township. Three miles east of Holly, Interstate 75 connects drivers to downtown Detroit and the rest of the nation’s network of highways.
Old landfill, new problems
North of East Holly Road, a 40-acre parcel of land was once home to the Falk Road Landfill. Now, the site’s refuse is leaching hazardous chemicals into the soil of surrounding homes. The town has partnered with the state to perform testing and hopefully address the problem, but as recently as 2022, no resolution has been proposed.
Written By
Konrad Solberg
Photography Contributed By
Gregory Hayes
Video By
Antoine Allen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michelle Geiger,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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SEPTEMBER MOVE-IN!Floorplan: JULIET- CDiscover this beautiful new construction home at 380 Edge Brook Drive Holly, MI built by M/I Homes. This spacious residence offers 2,612 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space with 4 bedrooms.This home features:4 generous bedrooms including an upstairs owner's bedroom3 well-appointed bathrooms, including 2 full
READY FOR SEPTEMBER MOVE IN!Floorplan: Brooklyn - ADiscover this beautiful new construction home at 378 Edge Brook Drive Holly, MI. Built by M/I Homes, this 2,149 square foot home offers the perfect blend of comfort and style. Home Features:3 bedrooms2 full bathrooms, 1 half bathroomOpen-concept living spaceKitchen with an island and quartz
**OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY, AUGUST 30TH, 12:00PM - 3:00PM** End unit Ranch in Woodfield Landings. It is beautiful and in excellent condition! The Living Room has soaring ceilings, a Fire Place and a gorgeous view of the pond where the sun glistens in every sunset. The dining room opens up to a Deck from where the view is breathtaking. The master bedroom has a large walk in closet and private bath
Looking for the perfect blend of comfort, style, and location? This home has it all! Built in 2018, this beautiful Fenton home checks all the boxes for today’s buyer: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, upstairs laundry, a functional mudroom, and tons of storage. This contemporary home is gorgeous outside and in. Step through the front door into a small foyer. Walk the hall past your downstairs flex room
Enjoy peaceful lake living. Build your new home here and enjoy the serene lake views of Mitchell Lake out of your windows. Grab your fishing pole or your kayak and live the dream! Excellent location just off a paved road, North of Holly with good access to I-75.
Just outside of Holly, this beautifully renovated ranch-style condo is move-in ready and designed for modern living. Offering an entry-level layout, this home features two spacious bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Inside, you’ll find fresh updates throughout with stylish finishes and a thoughtful design that makes everyday living both comfortable and convenient.
Heather GuminskiBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Est
Located in the beautiful area of the Village of Holly. This is a quiet community with excellent schools in walking distance. With Private entrances and fireplaces, each apartment home is your little touch of country!
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