Annual Holly Dickens Festival 2020 Cancelled

The Holly Dickens Festival is the oldest and longest running Dickens Festival in the United States. The festival is going on 40 plus years of fun, except for this year. I am sorry to say, the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas event has been cancelled.

Although the festival is held outdoors in Battle Alley, it is still a no go for 2020. I am honestly not surprised, but as you can imagine there are a lot of disappointed people. This festival brings in a lot of people to Holly, which in turn means a lot of spending at local businesses. I lived in Holly for a few years, close to the downtown area. Let me tell you I saw first hand the amount of traffic this event brings. Please keep in mind that although the festival is cancelled, area businesses are open.

With the cancellation of the Dickens Festival, also brings the cancellation of another event downtown Holly - Fall Ladies Night. You can read the official cancellation statement for both events below. As far as the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, it looks like that will be virtual, or drive by. As of now, all of those details have yet to be worked out.

Just a word to the wise, complaining about these cancellations on the festival Facebook page, is not going to bring them back this year. If the Dickens Festival has been a tradition for you and your family for years, then make a new memory this year. If that involves caroling at home, and a family street sweeping contest just like the festival hosts, even better.