Most of the scenes were not actually shot in Holland, Michigan. However, the scene at the windmill was shot at Windmill Island in downtown Holland, which coincidentally is located right next to the Holland Amtrak station.
The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2013 Blacklist; a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year.
Although the film was initially announced as Holland, Michigan, the title was changed to Holland when the film release was revealed. Although the script was originally written in 2013 and set in the present day, Mimi Cave shifted the time-line to 2000. She felt that themes like Dave's sense of alienation resonated more strongly with that era. Additionally, Cave personally connected to the early 2000s, having left the Midwest around 2002, which added a layer of authenticity and relatability to the story.
In the parade, Holland's "crosstown rival" Marching Band is portrayed by members of the Hendersonville High School Band of Gold.
The parade scene was filmed in Clarksville, Tennessee.