Magnetic properties of rare-earth intermetallics RE 2 Ni 7 (RE=Dy, Ho) are reported. Both the samples undergo two successive magnetic transitions at T h (paramagnetic to ferromagnetic) and T l (spin reorientation) below 100K. The transitions are found to be second order in nature as evident from the Arrot plot analysis. Large reversible magnetocaloric effect (MCE) was observed at low temperature in the studied samples. The maximum value of the magnetic entropy change in Ho 2 Ni 7 is found to be −12.5J/kgK (for 0 to 50kOe of field change) around 25K with a high relative cooling power (RCP) of 534J/kg. The Dy counterpart also shows moderately large values of MCE (−7.3J/kgK) and RCP (475J/kg) around the magnetic transition region for similar change in the magnetic field. RE 2 Ni 7 compounds can be promising materials for magnetic refrigeration in the temperature range of helium and hydrogen liquefaction.