Connections Hints: Dec 31, 2025

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Connections puzzle published on Dec 31, 2025 (2025-12-31). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full group breakdown when you're ready.

Meta: Puzzle #991

Puzzle #991 · 2025-12-31

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 #991 for 2025-12-31, 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: HAPPY NEW YEAR!, PLACES WHERE THINGS DISAPPEAR, ASSOCIATED WITH PHILADELPHIA 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.

  • HAPPY NEW YEAR!
  • PLACES WHERE THINGS DISAPPEAR
  • ASSOCIATED WITH PHILADELPHIA
  • STARTING WITH BODIES OF WATER

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BALL DROP
CHAMPAGNE FLUTE
FIREWORKS
NOISEMAKER

PLACES WHERE THINGS DISAPPEAR

BERMUDA TRIANGLE
BLACK HOLE
COUCH CUSHIONS
DRYER

ASSOCIATED WITH PHILADELPHIA

BROTHERLY LOVE
CHEESESTEAK
LIBERTY BELL
ROCKY

STARTING WITH BODIES OF WATER

BAY LEAF
CHANNEL SURF
SEA BASS
SOUND BARRIER

Reveal full answer

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BALL DROP
CHAMPAGNE FLUTE
FIREWORKS
NOISEMAKER

PLACES WHERE THINGS DISAPPEAR

BERMUDA TRIANGLE
BLACK HOLE
COUCH CUSHIONS
DRYER

ASSOCIATED WITH PHILADELPHIA

BROTHERLY LOVE
CHEESESTEAK
LIBERTY BELL
ROCKY

STARTING WITH BODIES OF WATER

BAY LEAF
CHANNEL SURF
SEA BASS
SOUND BARRIER

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