🌸 DC Named America's Grinchiest State

Good morning, DC. We've been named America's least festive "state"—which feels like slander given the Commanders and Wizards both won on Sunday, a phrase that hasn't been true in months. You've got ten days to prove a questionable Google Trends analysis wrong.

In today’s District Download:

Let’s get to it.

A new study crowned DC the least festive "state" in America—and you're allowed to feel indignant about it. Researchers at Innerbody examined Google Trends data for Christmas-related searches like "mistletoe," "gingerbread house," and "Christmas cookies," then ranked every state by festive enthusiasm. DC finished dead last with 1,275 points, trailing even New York (1,602) while West Virginia took the top spot with 2,479.

Here's the problem: the methodology doesn't appear to be per capita. The District's 670,000 residents were essentially compared against entire states—West Virginia alone has nearly 1.8 million people. DC never had a fair chance at this one.

Given the holiday markets, light displays, and tree lightings happening across the city right now, this feels more like a study designed to generate headlines than reflect reality. But if you need permission to be extra festive this week, consider it granted. Someone has to prove the Grinch study wrong.

If you're looking for a holiday show that isn't The Nutcracker, Keegan Theatre's An Irish Carol remains one of the best options in the city. BroadwayWorld's latest review confirms what DC theatergoers have known for years: this production, loosely based on Dickens' A Christmas Carol but set in a Dublin pub on Christmas Eve 2008, delivers.

Kevin Adams stars as David, the crotchety pub owner who receives visits from past associates rather than ghosts—"a complex man who has iced over his heart to prevent confronting difficult emotions," per the review. Timothy H. Lynch and Mike Kozemchak, who've been in the show for over a decade, provide the comedic foundation as regulars Frank and Jim. The production runs 90 minutes with no intermission, making it a commitment you can actually keep on a weeknight.

The review's best line: "Irish whiskey is the only spirit on stage this evening." The show takes a known story and branches out in a way that "isn't tacky or overly saccharine"—exactly what you want from holiday theater. It runs through December 28 at 1742 Church Street NW in Dupont Circle.

Andy Brown spent years perfecting the New York-style slice at Andy's Pizza. Now he's taken on bagels—and if you trust him with your pizza, you'll want to try what he's doing with a 72-hour fermented dough.

The bagels launched this week at the Bethesda location (4600 East-West Hwy), with the extended fermentation creating what Brown describes as "this shiny, slightly crispy, but very chewy exterior crust" with micro-blistering on the outside. Unlike most bagel shops, Andy's bakes fresh throughout morning service rather than letting them sit out—"we're keeping the bagels as fresh as we do the pizza."

Three flavors for now: plain, everything, and sesame ($2.50 each, $22.50 per dozen). Cream cheese comes with fresh garnishes—smoked salmon, scallion—rather than mixed-in ingredients, because Brown wasn't confident in the freshness at other shops. Bagels run 7-11 AM daily, with pizza bagels (cheese or pepperoni) starting after 10:30 AM. Expect bagels at other Andy's locations by early 2026.

If you've driven Columbia Pike and wondered about that empty shopping center at 2601, you're about to get an answer. The Arlington County Board gave final approval Saturday to "The Elliott," a 6-story mixed-use building with 271 apartments and about 15,000 square feet of retail.

The Fillmore Gardens strip mall was once home to the Salsa Room—a beloved Latin music venue—along with Atilla's restaurant, a CVS, and other small businesses. It's been an eyesore for years as proposed developments fell through. Under the new plan, a parking lot will become part of an expanded Penrose Park.

Board Chair Takis Karantonis, who worked in the building for nearly a decade and lives in south Arlington, called the approval "very personal." The Penrose Neighborhood Association has expressed hope that some mom-and-pop businesses can return to the site. This is the latest boost for the Columbia Pike corridor, which recently completed over two years of road and utility work.

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Here’s what’s going on around DC this week:

Ford's Theatre | A Christmas Carol | Craig Wallace returns as Scrooge for another year—if it ain't broke | 7:30 PM, from $46

Arena Stage | Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show | DC's stepping company brings clapping, stomping, and holiday cheer through December 23 | 7:30 PM, from $56

U.S. Botanic Garden | Season's Greenings | Dinosaur-themed exhibit with plant-based sculptures and model trains; free admission (family-friendly) | 10 AM – 5 PM

DowntownDC | Holiday Market | Open-air village on F Street between 7th and 9th with 70+ vendors; free to browse | 12 – 8 PM

Warner Theatre | The Nutcracker | Washington Ballet's 20th anniversary production with a DC twist—George Washington as the Nutcracker Prince, because only DC would make it about a founding father (family-friendly) | 7:00 PM, from $49

Shakespeare Theatre Company | Guys and Dolls | The must-see musical of the holiday season—dance the night away to "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" | 7:30 PM, from $39

U.S. Botanic Garden | Season's Greenings Late Night | Extended hours for the dinosaur exhibit; arrive after work and skip the daytime crowds | 10 AM – 8 PM

Folger Shakespeare Library | Folger Frost Fair | Winter festival with holiday music, gift shopping, printing press demos; free admission (family-friendly) | 10 AM – 5 PM

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Monday

29 🌡 16 | 🌧️ 0% | 💨 10 mph

Tuesday

40 🌡 19 | 🌧️ 10% | 💨 5 mph

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9:30 Club | PVRIS with Dua Saleh | 7 PM

Capital One Arena | Hot 99.5's Jingle Ball (AJR, Conan Gray, Jelly Roll, and more) | Leave work early if you're going—arena security lines at holiday shows are no joke | 7:30 PM

The Theater at MGM National Harbor | 80's Live | 7:30 PM

Birchmere | Mac McAnally | 7:30 PM

Capital One Hall | Old Crow Medicine Show | 7:30 PM

The Fillmore | Damiano David | 9 PM

The Commanders and Wizards both won on Sunday, which qualifies as a minor miracle in a season where nothing has gone right. Washington beat the Giants 29-21 to snap an eight-game losing streak—Jaylin Lane's 63-yard punt return touchdown and Terry McLaurin's 51-yard scoring catch were the highlights of an otherwise sloppy game with four fumbles. The Wizards handled Indiana 108-89 behind Marvin Bagley III's 23-point, 14-rebound performance. Meanwhile, the Caps dropped a 5-1 clunker in Winnipeg on Saturday after a shootout loss to Carolina, cooling off after that dominant six-game winning streak. They're back at it Tuesday night in Minnesota.

Till next time,