December 30, 2024 was NYT Strands puzzle #302, not #301. Its theme was orchestra music; the spangram was COMPOSITION. If you meant puzzle #301, that was played on December 29. Choose the date or number below before revealing the answers.
December 30, 2024 Strands answers (#302)
Spoilers ahead. The December 30 puzzle’s theme was orchestra music. Its five theme words and spangram were:
- SYMPHONY
- PRELUDE
- SONATA
- OVERTURE
- CONCERTO
- Spangram: COMPOSITION
Parade’s December 30 guide identifies COMPOSITION as the spangram and says it runs horizontally from left to right. The guide also provides initial-letter hints for the entries. Read Parade’s December 30 answer guide.
Was Strands #301 on December 30?
No. December 30 was #302; #301 was the preceding day, Sunday, December 29. Parade and TechRadar both label the December 30 puzzle #302, and TechRadar identifies #301 as the previous day’s puzzle. TechRadar’s December 30 retrospective also distinguishes the two dates.
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If you meant puzzle #301 (December 29)
TechRadar lists these answers for #301:
- KUGEL
- LATKES
- BRISKET
- CHALLAH
- APPLE SAUCE
- Spangram: HANNUKAH FOODS
TechRadar spells the spangram “HANNUKAH FOODS.” A contemporaneous community discussion noted disagreement about the spelling, so treat that as the spelling in TechRadar’s answer list rather than independently confirmed official wording. The available account does not establish a reliable grid path or letter coordinates for #301. See TechRadar’s answer list.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use the answers and hints
Strands asks you to connect letters on the board to find theme words. According to the NYT instructions reproduced by Parade, found theme words stay highlighted blue and do not overlap. The spangram describes the theme, touches two opposite sides of the board, and is highlighted yellow; it can consist of two words.
To select letters, drag across them or tap them in sequence, then double-tap the final letter when using taps. Finding three non-theme words earns a hint. A hint reveals the letters of a theme word, or—if a hint is already active—the order of its letters. The game is available through the NYT website and app. Parade’s guide includes the NYT-attributed instructions.
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