Crossword Genius

Tight when crossing river in festive days? (3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

new year

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'tight when crossing river in festive days?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'tight when crossing river' is the wordplay.
'tight' becomes 'near' (I've seen this in another clue).
'when crossing' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'river' becomes 'wye' (I've seen this in other clues).
'near' enclosing 'wye' is 'NEW YEAR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for new year that I've seen before include "Near yew (anag)" , "Earliest annual date" , "Resolve now" , "Early days?" , "January 1st" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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