Straying from the customary midnight New Year’s countdown, families with young children were able to ring in 2024 a bit earlier at the “Noon Year’s Eve” party at the Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine.
To celebrate the arrival of the new year, the museum hosted four confetti countdowns throughout the day Sunday, each dawning the coming of 2024 in distinct regions across the world.
Three-year-old Aaron Holtz rings in the new year during Pretend Cityxe2x80x99s “Noon Year’s Eve” event in Irvine on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Children counted down other countries time zones from around the world. At 9:30 a.m. it was Thailand and Laos. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ana Fajardo, 3, makes a confetti angel while celebrating Pretend Cityxe2x80x99s “Noon Year’s Eve” event in Irvine on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Children counted down other countries time zones from around the world. At 9:30 a.m. it was Thailand and Laos. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Summer Gardner, 15 months, clings to her mom, Donna Nguyenxe2x80x99s legs, during Pretend Cityxe2x80x99s “Noon Year’s Eve” event in Irvine on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Children counted down other countries time zones. At 9:30 a.m. it was Thailand and Laos. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brooklyn Peck, 5, and her 3-year-old brother Bryce, throw confetti as they celebrate Pretend Cityxe2x80x99s “Noon Year’s Eve” event in Irvine on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Confetti rains down during on families celebrating an early New Yearxe2x80x99s Eve at Pretend City in Irvine on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Summer Gardner, 15 months, takes part in Pretend Cityxe2x80x99s “Noon Year’s Eve” event in Irvine on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Children counted down other countries time zones and were sprayed with confetti. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thailand and Laos were up first, with Pakistan at noon and Bucharest and Romania later in the afternoon. Children were also able to enjoy different New Year’s activities and crafts provided by the museum.
The Pretend City Children’s Museum is a kid-sized interactive city with a firehouse, grocery, art studio, marina, police and a street with cars. The museum is located at 29 Hubble in Irvine.
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