| FOURTHOFJULY | Holiday suggested by the starts of 20-, 26-, 36and 42-Across, literally |
| HORSESMOUTH | From which to hear the real story, as suggested by the starts of 20-, 26- and 51-Across |
| SOCIALMEDIA | Modern networking aid, as suggested by the starts of the answers to the starred clues |
| CASESOLVED | Climactic announcement suggested by the starts of the answers to starred clues |
| HYPOCRITE | Insincere type suggested by the starts of the answers to starred clues |
| JACKOFALLTRADES | Handy person suggested by the starts of the answers to starred clues |
| NEWYEARSEVE | Time to sing the tune suggested by the starts of 10 long answers in this puzzle |
| DYLAN | Music icon Bob who wrote the song suggested by the starts of this puzzle's theme entries |
| OPPOSITESATTRACT | Saying about compatible partners ... as suggested by the starts of the answers to this puzzle's starred clues? |
| VACATION | Break suggested by the starts of this puzzle's four longest answers |
| STEAKDINNER | Meal suggested by the starts of four long answers |
| NEAR | With 65-Across, the starts of 20-, 26-, 43- and 51-Across taken together |
| DROPTHEBALL | Mess up ... and a hint to 17-, 24-, 36and 50- Across |
| LUCK | Word that can follow the starts of 20-, 26-, 43- and 52-Across |
| CRAMSESSIONS | All-night study stints, or a hint to 20-, 26-, and 46- Across |
| WILD | Tigers can live between 20-26 Years in the ___ |
| PHOTOFINISH | Race decided by a camera, or what the start of 17-, 26- or 42-Across literally is |
| TANDZ | Initials of our eight theme entries; they're wishing you a happy New Year as letters 20, 26 |
| BEHINDTHEWHEEL | Driving a car, or an apt description of the ends of 20-, 26-, and 46-Across |
| DMS | Private chats, briefly, and what 17-, 29-, 45-, and 6i-Across literally are |
