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Arts & Culture
23 December 2024

NORAD Santa Tracker: A Christmas Eve Tradition

Families worldwide follow Santa's magical gift delivery with NORAD's beloved tracking program.

Each Christmas Eve, the excitement builds for millions of children eagerly waiting to see where Santa Claus goes next as he makes his magical delivery of gifts. This year marks yet another engaging edition of the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) beloved tradition of tracking Santa, which began over six decades ago under rather unexpected circumstances.

Colonel Mark Lachappelle, stationed at NORAD headquarters located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "It’s one of the things I look forward to most throughout the year. I take pride in it every year." The roots of NORAD's Santa tracking tradition can be traced back to a misprinted advertisement placed by Sears Roebuck & Co. on December 24, 1955. Children attempting to call Santa inadvertently reached the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), NORAD's predecessor, after dialing the wrong number.

Colonel Harry Shoup, who answered the first call, quickly realized what was happening when he heard the youthful voice asking for Santa. Instead of terminating the call, he decided to play along, enthusiastically telling the child, "Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?" The response prompted more children to call, and soon Shoup had instructed his team to provide regular updates on Santa's location.

This joyful mistake led to the formalization of Santa tracker duties within NORAD, which transitioned to its current name the following year. Colonel Jason White elaborated, saying, "Every Christmas Eve, utilizing the myriad of resources available to NORAD for the defense of North America, we use those resources to track Santa to make sure he gets through the North America area unimpeded." Today, more than 1,250 volunteer personnel from the Department of Defense answer calls from curious children and parents worldwide.

The NORAD Tracks Santa program officially goes live at 5 AM CST on Christmas Eve and continues until around midnight when Santa wraps up his expedition. Kids can connect with NORAD through various channels, whether by calling 1-877-HI-NORAD, sending emails, or via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The Santa Tracker website also offers games, videos, and live updates, making the experience engaging for the whole family.

For many families, following Santa's progress has become a cherished tradition passed down through generations. One enthusiastic mother described how her family's Santa-tracking tradition began years ago when her nephew excitedly pursued updates during their holiday baking. She reflected on how seeing Santa fly over different locations brought joy to their celebrations.

While the NORAD Santa Tracker has evolved with the times—now incorporating satellite imagery and social media—the essence of tracking remains steeped in community spirit and festive joy. According to NORAD, the website receives nearly 15 million unique visitors from more than 200 countries annually, reflecting the global embracing of this nostalgic ritual. Volunteers field more than 130,000 phone calls each Christmas Eve, answering questions like "Does Santa visit everyone?" and "How old is Santa?" to the delight of the children.

Colonel White explained, "When Santa flies, we’re doing our normal day-to-day mission, and we just have the honor of helping the big man out.” Interestingly, NORAD’s tracking technologies allow Santa to bypass the conventional perception of time, with the website noting, "His trip seems to take 24 hours to us, but to Santa, it might last days, weeks, or even months." This charming notion adds to the magic surrounding Santa's nightly jaunt.

The night before Christmas is often filled with anticipation, and perhaps more touching is the added sense of wonder it instills with each call made to track Santa. "When the kids call and get updates for Santa, it’s great to hear the excitement in their voices," said Colonel White, sharing how fulfilling the role can be for NORAD staff.

This year's tracking will not only be limited to phone calls. Tech-savvy families can take advantage of numerous apps and features. Kids can ask their Amazon Alexa-powered devices where Santa is, or check out the Google Santa Tracker for games and festive countdowns. For fans of multimedia, NORAD maintains vast outreach with versatile platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, and even Sirius XM radio, offering diverse methods to engage with the holiday spirit.

Through modern technology and numerous volunteer hours, NORAD ensures Santa's availability to families eager for updates. Whether seeking information via the classic hotline or launching NORAD's app on mobile devices, the experience continues to capture the hearts of children worldwide, enriching the season's joy.

Down the line, as Santa preps for takeoff, families sleep easier knowing they’re part of this remarkable yearly tradition. Reflecting on NORAD's work, Lachappelle mused, "I really love when you get questions from children. Just their honesty - some of their frank questions are pretty fun to answer." This comment resonates with the palpable excitement surrounding NORAD's mission on Christmas Eve. By bridging connections between reality and fantasy, NORAD adds considerable joy to one of the year’s most magical nights.

Be it through playful calls or insightful social media posts, families can engage with NORAD's Santa Tracker program. The spirit of Christmas remains alive and vibrant among children worldwide as they continue to follow Santa’s travel and embrace the bond of this tradition.

To track Santa this year, families can simply call 1-877-HI-NORAD or visit the NORAD Tracks Santa website starting December 24. Let the holiday spirit guide you and your loved ones on this special night!

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