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Every Christmas Eve, millions of children and parents around the world ask the
same magical question: Where is Santa Claus right now?
For the past 70 years, the answer has often come from an unexpected place — the
North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD.
What started as a small mistake in a newspaper advertisement in the 1950s has
turned into one of the most loved Christmas traditions in history. Today, NORAD’s
Santa Tracker connects families, brings joy to children, and reminds everyone that
even serious organizations can have a warm holiday spirit.
A Christmas Tradition Like No Other
NORAD is usually known for protecting the skies of North America. Its main job is to
watch for any threats in the air and space. But once a year, on Christmas Eve,
NORAD takes on a very special mission: tracking Santa Claus as he delivers gifts
around the world.
This tradition has been going strong since 1955, making this year the 70th
anniversary of NORAD tracking Santa. Over the decades, the program has grown
from simple phone calls to a full digital experience used by millions of people
every year.
How It All Started in 1955
The story begins on December 24, 1955, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On that
night, a young child picked up the phone and dialed a number found in a
newspaper ad. The ad invited children to call Santa Claus directly.
However, the phone number in the ad was printed incorrectly.
Instead of reaching Santa, the call went to the Continental Air Defense Command
(CONAD) Operations Center. This center was responsible for tracking aircraft
during a tense period of the Cold War.
The officer who answered the phone was Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup. On the
other end of the line was not a military official, but a child asking about Santa’s
location.
Rather than ending the call, Colonel Shoup chose kindness. He told the child that
Santa was on his way and asked his team to help give Santa “updates” to any other
children who might call.
That night, the defense center received many calls from children, and each one was
answered with care and imagination. A tradition was born.
From CONAD to NORAD
In 1958, CONAD officially became NORAD, a joint military organization between the
United States and Canada. When the new command was formed, the Santa tracking
tradition continued without interruption.
Every year, NORAD improved the experience. At first, Santa’s location was shared
through phone calls and news reports. Later, television broadcasts joined in.
Eventually, the internet changed everything.
Today, the NORAD Santa Tracker includes:
A live interactive website
Mobile apps for iPhone and Android
Real-time updates on social media
Videos and live streams on YouTube
A call center with trained volunteers
Despite all the technology, the heart of the tradition remains the same: bringing joy
to children.
Celebrating 70 Years of Tracking Santa
This year marks 70 years since that first accidental phone call. To celebrate, about
1,250 U.S. and Canadian volunteers are helping NORAD answer calls from families
around the world.
On Christmas Eve, President Donald Trump is expected to join the event by
answering some of the calls around 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, adding to the
excitement of the anniversary year.
Families can call:
1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723)
Calls are accepted from early morning on December 24 until the early hours of
Christmas Day.
How the NORAD Santa Tracker Works
NORAD begins tracking Santa early on December 24. According to the story, Santa
starts his journey at the North Pole.
NORAD uses the same advanced technology it relies on every day, including:
Satellites with infrared sensors
Radar systems in Alaska and northern Canada
Aerospace tracking tools
These systems are used in a fun and imaginative way to follow Santa’s sleigh as it
travels across the globe.
The information is then turned into a colorful, child-friendly map that updates in
real time.
Where Is Santa Right Now?
One of the most popular features of the tracker is the live Santa map. It shows
Santa’s current location as he moves from country to country.
Santa’s journey usually begins over the Pacific Ocean, traveling along the
International Date Line. His first stops are often in:
New Zealand
Australia
Asia
Africa
Europe
Later, Santa crosses the Atlantic Ocean to visit:
Canada
The United States
Mexico
Central America
South America
NORAD reminds users that Santa’s route can change, which makes the experience
even more exciting.
When Will Santa Arrive at Your Home?
Many children want to know exactly when Santa will visit their house. According to
NORAD, Santa usually makes his visits between 9 p.m. and midnight on Christmas
Eve.
However, NORAD explains that it cannot predict the exact time Santa will arrive at
any single home.
As the organization says on its website:
“Only Santa knows his exact route. What we do know is that he arrives when
children are asleep.”
This mystery keeps the magic of Christmas alive.
What Is NORAD?
NORAD stands for the North American Aerospace Defense Command. It is a joint
organization between the United States and Canada, headquartered at Peterson
Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.
Its main mission is to protect North America by:
Monitoring airspace
Detecting possible threats
Providing early warnings
NORAD uses powerful radar systems, satellites, and fighter aircraft to do its job.
As U.S. Air Force Colonel Jason White explained:
“We monitor the skies of North America 24 hours a day, every day of the year.”
On Christmas Eve, that same expertise is used for a more joyful purpose.
A Global Christmas Experience
Today, the NORAD Santa Tracker is available in nine languages, including English,
French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, and Korean.
Families can follow Santa through:
The official NORAD website
Mobile apps
X (Twitter)
YouTube
Last year alone, volunteers answered hundreds of thousands of phone calls from
children eager to hear about Santa’s journey.
Supported by Volunteers and Sponsors
The Santa tracking program is supported by volunteers and corporate sponsors. It
does not use defense funds and is run purely as a public service and holiday
tradition.
Military members, civilians, and families all come together to make the event
possible each year.
Why This Tradition Still Matters
After 70 years, the NORAD Santa Tracker is more than just a fun website. It is a
reminder that small acts of kindness can grow into something meaningful and
lasting.
A single phone call in 1955 turned into a global Christmas tradition that brings joy
to millions of people every year.
As Santa takes to the skies once again, NORAD will be watching — just as it has
done for seven decades — helping keep the magic of Christmas alive.
