Simulate date/time in PHP for Expression Engine

Question

We're running an annual event website and we're keen to simulate the site for a different date. In other words, add say 3 months to the current date/time so we can try out some options for when the event's finished.

Anyone have any thoughts on where to start with this?

Answer 1

Ian's comment works, though this will be less laborious...

Open /system/expressionengine/libraries/Localize.php, and look inside the constructor (around line 53 or so). Comment out the setting of $this->now and change it like so:

// Fetch the current local server time and convert it to GMT
// $this->now = time();

// Temporarily setting the date to 3 months in the past
$this->now = strtotime('3 months ago');