Christmas Eve is finally here, and Santa Claus has officially started his annual worldwide gift delivery. Taking to the skies around 9 AM UK time on December 24, 2024, jolly old St. Nick is racing against the clock to deliver presents. With his trusted reindeer—Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen—Santa is on track to visit homes across the globe thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which has taken on the special mission of tracking Santa's progress this festive night.
According to NORAD's Santa tracker, Santa departed from the North Pole and has already made significant progress, delivering over 3.5 billion presents to children worldwide. His festive adventure is broadcast live, allowing eager families to follow his travels. "It's like magic, how he covers so much distance overnight!" commented one child who eagerly watched the updates.
Over the past few hours, Santa found himself whisking through numerous continents. He made his first stops on the Pacific isles of Kiribati before racing up to Asia, where he spread holiday cheer through Japan, Korea, and China. Currently, Santa is said to be flying over Russia, having passed significant landmarks like the Great Wall and just recently entered the Middle Eastern airspace.
What’s even more heartwarming about this holiday tradition is NORAD's long-standing commitment to bringing joy during the festive season. This tracking effort began nearly 70 years ago, stemming from a misdialed phone number intended for Santa. When children began calling NORAD's predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), seeking to speak with Santa, the organization decided to embrace this delightful incident and track Santa's flight. Air Force Col Harry W. Shoup famously took one of the very first Santa calls and responded by saying, "Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?"
From then on, NORAD's Santa tracker became emblematic of the holiday spirit, merging advanced radar technology with the wonder of childhood belief. The organization utilizes satellites and radar systems to monitor Santa's movements on Christmas Eve. The team works tirelessly with volunteers, affectionately known as Santa Trackers, who help spread the joy of giving and the magic of Christmas.
Santa's travels this year have been particularly exciting, as he makes stops across various countries and cultures. After his swift visit to Beijing, he zips across to Vietnam, where Christmas is celebrated with joy. He then crosses down to Australia, delighting children there with his presence, before heading back up north to places like Alaska and onward to major cities across the USA.
Norad has encouraged children to send their letters of wishes; Santa has already met expectations by fulfilling billions of requests. He typifies the joy of the season with his thoughtfulness, ensuring each present makes it to the right kid, even making special stops for children who find themselves far away from home, such as those aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Recently, there was delight from astronauts living on the ISS, who received video messages to families on Earth, expressing the warmth of the season far above the planet. Santa, riding high, successfully delivered gifts to the astronauts, spreading festive cheer around the globe.
Updates from NORAD indicate Santa is making excellent time, maintaining good flying conditions, and staying well-fed and fueled thanks to his reindeer. "Santa will typically reach the UK around midnight GMT, so kids won't have to wait much longer!" said NORAD’s spokesperson.
This Christmas Eve, children should still believe—our favorite holiday icon is careening across the sky ensuring every child has their gift before sunrise. So Santa calls the shots, but NORAD tracks his route, and the rest of us look on, buzzing with excitement.
Parents and kids alike can access the NORAD Santa Tracker live online and see where Santa Claus is at any moment. Whether it’s through mobile applications or social media, the ability to track Santa has brought families closer together during the holidays, creating memorable moments and traditions.
So as families prepare for Christmas morning, they can rest assured knowing jolly St. Nick is out there fulfilling his yearly promise, racing through the night sky, fueled by the spirit of Christmas and the laughter of children around the globe. Merry Christmas to all!
