The festive season is in full swing, and children around the world are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. But this year, you don't have to just wait and wonder. Thanks to a unique tradition maintained by a military command, families can now track Santa's sleigh in real-time as he delivers gifts across the globe.
A 70-Year-Old Tradition Born from a Mistake
For nearly 70 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has taken on a heartwarming annual mission: tracking Santa Claus. This beloved tradition, surprisingly, began due to a printing error. In the 1950s, a Sears department store advertisement mistakenly printed NORAD's secret phone number as a hotline for children to call Santa. When Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup started receiving those calls, he instructed his staff to play along and give updates on Santa's location, thus sparking a global phenomenon.
What started with phone calls has now evolved into a high-tech operation. NORAD claims to use "Santa cams" in space to monitor the jolly old elf's progress. However, a senior official humorously noted the limits of their surveillance, stating, "NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house."
How to Track Santa This Christmas Eve
The official tracking for 2025 commenced at 6 a.m. EST / 4 a.m. MST on Wednesday, December 24. Families have multiple engaging ways to join the fun and follow Santa's magical journey:
- Call the Hotline: Until midnight MST on Christmas Day, you can speak to a NORAD volunteer by dialing 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723).
- Use the Official App: Download the free NORAD Tracks Santa application from the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store.
- Visit the Website: The dedicated NORAD Tracks Santa site, which went live on December 1, offers more than just tracking. It features holiday games, videos, and educational content about NORAD's mission. The site is available in multiple languages including English, Hindi, French, Spanish, and Chinese.
This year, the official NORAD Tracks Santa YouTube channel is also showcasing Christmas celebration videos submitted by families worldwide, adding a personal touch to the festivities.
Global Partners Join the Festive Surveillance
NORAD isn't the only organization keeping an eye on the sleigh. Google's Santa Tracker, active since 2004, provides animated, real-time visuals of St. Nick's trip across the globe. In a fascinating collaboration, the real-time flight tracking service Flightradar24 also monitors Santa. They humorously stated they have "worked closely with Santa’s workshop to ensure the sleigh is outfitted with the latest tracking technology." Viewers can follow on their website or YouTube channel.
The tradition is taken seriously by millions. NORAD's official social media page reported receiving over 38,000 calls from families globally, thanking the volunteers who keep this holiday magic alive. As the countdown to Christmas continues, these trackers offer a delightful blend of technology and tradition, uniting the world in a shared moment of wonder and joy.
