The DJ was spinning the tunes and the dance floor was crowded.

It was the quintessential scene from a New Year’s Eve party, with confetti raining down as the clock hands met at 12.

  • Amerie Min, Cianna Min and Leona Ng, from left, play...

    Amerie Min, Cianna Min and Leona Ng, from left, play in the confetti during Pretend City’s Noon Year’s Eve Countdown and Glow Party in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

1 of 7

Amerie Min, Cianna Min and Leona Ng, from left, play in the confetti during Pretend City’s Noon Year’s Eve Countdown and Glow Party in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Expand

The pint-sized partygoers celebrated ringing in the new year, just a few hours earlier at noon – a more appropriate hour for keeping bedtimes – at the always popular celebration hosted by the Pretend City Children’s Museum.

The museum has been hosting holiday celebrations over the last week or so for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and now to welcome 2025. It is closed New Year’s Day, but returns to its 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours Thursday. Designed for younger museum-goers, Pretend City is open Wednesdays through Sundays in Irvine.