Let's get cryptic at Burning Man - Annotated Answers

Here are the clues and answers for our 2026 cryptic crossword puzzle Let’s get cryptic at Burning Man with explanations of the wordplay:

Definitions are underlined. ()* = Anagram, ()← = Reversal, ()♫ = Homophone; anagram indicators are labeled ‘anagrind’

Across

1

Endlessly accumulate tiny ice particles (4)

HOAR[D](=accumulate)(deletion last letter: endlessly)

HOAR

3

Secret traveler‘s stash (8)

Double definition (2nd meaning is (4,4))

STOWAWAY

9

Rhododendron’s first flower in Russia’s country (5)

R[hododendron] (first letter) + URAL (flower=river in Russia)

RURAL

10

Let close without fit (7)

END(=close) surrounding(=without) ABLE(=fit)

ENABLED

11

Some singles plan a debauchery in prime location at Burning Man (9)

[singl]ES PLAN A DE[bauchery] (hidden: some)

ESPLANADE

12

Single oddly produces short comedy show (3)

S[i]N[g]L[e](odd letters: oddly)

SNL

13

Library features article on small islands (6)

A(=article; in grammar) + ISLES(=small island)

AISLES

14

Bike not allowed at Burning Man loaded with nothing and collected debris (6)

MOPED(=bike not allowed at burning man) containing(=loaded with) O(=nothing)

MOOPED

18

Overturned fundraising committee limit (3)

(PAC)←(=fundraising committee; reversal: overturned)

CAP

20

Subject with exaggerated self-expression in orgy dome, for instance? (5,4)

THEME(=subject) + CAMP(=exaggerated self-expression)

THEME CAMP

22

In picture cops have a suspicion (7)

IMAGE(=picture) containing(=cops, using object fronting word order) IN

IMAGINE

23

Carmen perhaps works (5)

Double definition

OPERA

24

American spotted slit in overall (2,1,5)

A(=American) + SAW(=spotted) + HOLE(+slit)

AS A WHOLE

25

Roll over red light (4)

BUN(=roll) containing(=over) R(abbr: red)

BURN

Down

1

Mount pipe around centerpiece of art (5)

HOSE(=pipe) + containing(=around) aRt (central letter)

HORSE

2

Applicable in reconstruction of poor spa (7)

(POOR SPA)*(anagrind: reconstruction of)

APROPOS

4

Anthem played for wooden effigy (3, 3)

(ANTHEM)*(anagrind: played)

THE MAN

5

It goes under water to grieve loudly (5)

(WAIL(=to grieve))♫(homophone: loudly)

WHALE

6

Take weeks for time in conferences to arrive at steps (5)

TALKS(=conferences)(substitution(Take…for…in) T(abbr: time)->W(abbr: weeks))

WALKS

 7

Sang oddly confused with double energy (7)

(ODDLY+E+E)*(anagrind: confused) (using 2x E(abbr: energy))

YODELED

8

Could you begin to pay rent? (6)

P[ay](first letter: begin to) + LEASE(=rent)

PLEASE

13

Peeled taro and pureed cacti? This helps to keep your cool in the desert (7)

[t]AR[o](deletion outer letters: peeled) + (CACTI)*(anagrind: pureed)

ARCTICA

15

I stomach, like, many a meal at Burning Man (3-3)

ONE(=I) + POT(=stomach/belly)

ONE-POT

16

Cover with gold in tableland (7)

PLATE(=cover) + AU(=gold; periodic table)

PLATEAU

17

Concerning meat display (6)

RE(=concerning) + VEAL(=meat)

REVEAL

19

Drama on a beach in Spain (5)

PLAY(=drama) + A

PLAYA

20

Flamboyant highlights covering body part (5)

[flamboyan]T HIGH[lights](hidden: covering)

THIGH

21

Naked curled up in lap (5)

(IN LAP)*(anagrind: curled up)

PLAIN