Connections Hints: Dec 26, 2025

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Dec 26, 2025 (2025-12-26). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #957

Puzzle #957 · 2025-12-26

Step through today’s Connections hints

Start with broad themes, then reveal more detail about the groups and tiles only when you need it. The final button shows today's full group breakdown.

Puzzle reference: Connections #957 for 2025-12-26, edition main, with a standard four-group board. Spoiler categories and tiles stay collapsed until you open the hint layers below.

Hint 1 – overall theme

There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.

Themes include: CALIFORNIA-BASED CHARACTER TROPES, COMEDY SUBGENRES, '70S ROCK BANDS and 1 more.

Hint 2 – group titles

Here are the category names for each group. Try matching the tiles in the official game to these themes before you reveal any tiles.

  • CALIFORNIA-BASED CHARACTER TROPES
  • COMEDY SUBGENRES
  • '70S ROCK BANDS
  • BLACK ___

Hint 3 – group tiles

Reveal the tiles for each group. If you only want a partial nudge, stop after reading one or two groups and go back to the official puzzle.

CALIFORNIA-BASED CHARACTER TROPES

MOVIE EXEC
SURFER
TECH BRO
VALLEY GIRL

COMEDY SUBGENRES

BUDDY
CRINGE
SCREWBALL
STONER

'70S ROCK BANDS

AMERICA
CHICAGO
FOREIGNER
JOURNEY

BLACK ___

FOREST
FRIDAY
PANTHER
WIDOW

Reveal full answer

This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.

CALIFORNIA-BASED CHARACTER TROPES

MOVIE EXEC
SURFER
TECH BRO
VALLEY GIRL

COMEDY SUBGENRES

BUDDY
CRINGE
SCREWBALL
STONER

'70S ROCK BANDS

AMERICA
CHICAGO
FOREIGNER
JOURNEY

BLACK ___

FOREST
FRIDAY
PANTHER
WIDOW

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