The holiday season is upon us, and with Christmas Eve just around the corner, families everywhere are gearing up to follow one of the most cherished traditions: tracking Santa Claus. Thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), it's easier than ever to know when Santa will be arriving to deliver presents and when to jump under the covers to fall asleep.
“It started in 1955,” said Col. Jason White. “Every Christmas Eve, utilizing the myriad of resources available to NORAD for the defense of North America, we track Santa to make sure he gets through unimpeded.” This unique project has become more than just military fun; it is now celebrated as part of the annual festivities.
It all began when Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the commander on duty at NORAD’s predecessor, received a call from a child who had dialed the wrong number listed in a department store advertisement intended for Santa Claus. “The newspaper misprinted a hotline number, and the one printed ended up connecting to the Continental Air Defense Command,” explained Col. White. Rather than dismiss the child, the watch officer decided to play along, leading to what has now become the NORAD Tracks Santa tradition.
Since then, NORAD has fielded hundreds of thousands of calls every year about Santa’s whereabouts, with over 1,250 Canadian and American uniformed personnel volunteering on December 24th to answer the myriad of phone calls and emails from excited children around the world. These volunteers field questions like, “Does Santa visit everyone?” and “How old is Santa?” “Indeed!” is the answer to the first, and NORAD has intelligence indicating “Santa is at least 16 centuries old.”
They humorously also mention the possibility of intercepting Santa with their fighter jets, but Col. White assures, “I don’t think we could keep up with him — he flies at such high rates of speed!”
According to NORAD's Santa Tracker website, Santa manages to travel the globe within 24 hours because his perception of time is unique. When explaining the phenomenon, the website remarks, “His trip seems to take 24 hours for us, but to Santa, it might last days, weeks, or even months.” The preparation for tracking Santa aligns seamlessly with NORAD's mission, which is rooted in surveilling North American airspace day-in and day-out to safeguard against potential threats. “NORAD’s day-to-day mission is to surveil the airspace and water leading up to North America, so we prepare 265 days a year, 24/7 to achieve this,” Col. White stated.
This year marks the 69th anniversary of tracking Santa’s yuletide expedition globally. From December 1, the NORAD Tracks Santa website (www.noradsanta.org) launches with exciting features including holiday games, music, and even the ability to countdown the days until Santa's flight. The website is accessible in nine languages and enhances the experience for families worldwide. There’s also the official NORAD Tracks Santa app, available for download on mobile devices, enabling users to track Santa’s path directly.
On Christmas Eve, the excitement peaks on social media with live updates across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. “We are proud to continue this tradition, offering families around the world the joy of tracking Santa,” said Col. Danielle Willis, NORAD's Vice Director of Operations.
The tracking system goes live from 4 a.m. to midnight MST on December 24, providing real-time updates on Santa's location. Families can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to speak with live operators who field calls from 6 a.m. to midnight MST. The NORAD Tracks Santa initiative has turned to be not only about tracking Santa but also about adding to the magic of Christmas for children everywhere.
KNOE Chief Meteorologist Marcus Walter promises festive tracking updates during evening news broadcasts throughout Christmas Eve, combining local community spirit with this beloved national tradition. Every voice heard, every inquiry about Santa’s whereabouts reinforces the joy and excitement of the season. “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” commented Bob Sommers, NORAD volunteer. The tradition has persevered through the years, drawing families closer together as they celebrate one of the most magical nights of the year.
Year after year, the NORAD Santa Tracker provides smiles and warmth to homes during the holidays, ensuring everyone—young and old—can partake. The endearing history of how it all began with one child’s accidental call is just the beginning of this joyful tradition, which continues to be cherished. When the phones start ringing and the joy fills the air, it’s clear: NORAD's commitment to tracking Santa is just as steadfast as ever, bringing holiday cheer to families around the globe each December 24th.
