Each Christmas Eve, millions of children around the world eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, and thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), they can follow his every move. This year marks the 69th anniversary of NORAD's beloved tradition of tracking Santa as he delivers gifts to children globally. The tracking begins at 6:00 AM EST on December 24, 2024, and can be accessed through the NORAD Tracks Santa website or mobile app.
The tradition of tracking Santa Claus dates back to 1955. It all began by accident when a local newspaper advertisement mistakenly published the phone number for Santa. Instead of connecting calls to the North Pole, the number sent children directly to the Continental Air Defense Command's (CONAD) operations center. Colonel Harry Shoup, who answered the first call, realized what had happened and decided to humor the child by pretending to be Santa. This whimsical response garnered so much interest, it sparked the beginning of what has become a cherished annual event.
NORAD takes its role as Santa's official tracker very seriously. A representative from NORAD stated, "Si bien la tradición de rastrear a Papá Noel comenzó por pura casualidad, NORAD continúa rastreando a Papá Noel. Somos la única organización que cuenta con la tecnología, las calificaciones y el personal para hacerlo. ¡Y nos encanta! ¡NORAD se siente honrado de ser el rastreador oficial de Papá Noel!" This highlights not just the joy but the seriousness behind the project, as volunteers prepare to answer calls and provide live updates on Santa's location.
This year, families can follow Santa during his global route, starting from the North Pole and making his way through various countries. Santa's initial stop this year includes places such as Russia, Uzbekistan, and several Middle Eastern nations, before heading toward the Americas just past midnight on December 24.
The NORAD Tracks Santa website offers live updates on Santa's location, the amount of gifts delivered, and the distance he has traveled. The platform is not just about tracking Santa; it provides engaging activities for families, ensuring they can enjoy the holiday spirit together. Interactive features include exploring the North Pole, playing daily mini-games, and listening to Santa's favorite Christmas songs. There are spaces for reading about holiday traditions and watching festive movies, creating moments of joy leading up to Christmas morning.
For those eager to participate, tracking Santa is simple. Users can either visit the official NORAD Santa tracker website or download the NORAD Tracks Santa app available for both Android and Apple devices. They can also find updates on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter (now X), Instagram, and YouTube.
Calls to learn about Santa's current location can be made to the NORAD operations center by dialing 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723), where volunteers will provide the latest updates through the night on Christmas Eve. Each year, more than 130,000 calls are received, showing just how appreciated this service is among families across North America.
Since its inception, the NORAD Santa Tracker has brought families together, reinforcing the belief of the holiday spirit. It allows children to experience the magic of Santa’s travels, deepening their connection to Christmas traditions. The excitement builds as families track their favorite jolly elf throughout the evening, ensuring festive anticipation culminating on Christmas morning, when children rush to see if Santa has visited their homes.
So, this Christmas Eve, as darkness falls and excitement fills the air, families around the world will gather to track Santa Claus, sharing laughter and stories as they await his arrival. The NORAD tradition not only shadows Santa's route but illuminates the joy of the season, inspiring awe and wonder.
Join NORAD this year and be part of the magic as they continue to track Santa, honoring nearly seven decades of spreading holiday cheer through this whimsical practice. From the icy reaches of the North Pole to homes filled with love, Santa's ride promises to be as special as ever, delivering not just gifts, but joy and happiness to everyone.
