LIVE Santa Tracker Returns for 70th Year as NORAD Monitors Christmas Eve Journey
NORAD celebrates 70 years of tracking Santa Claus live as he delivers presents worldwide on Christmas Eve, delighting families everywhere.
For the 70th consecutive year, families around the world are once again able to follow Santa Claus’s legendary Christmas Eve journey in real time through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), headquartered in Colorado. The beloved holiday tradition continues to bring excitement and joy to people of all ages as Santa delivers presents across the globe.
The Santa tracking program began in 1955 after a misprinted phone number in a newspaper ad led children to accidentally call NORAD’s predecessor. Instead of turning them away, military personnel embraced the moment, providing updates on Santa’s location. What started as a small act of kindness evolved into one of the world’s most cherished holiday traditions.
Each year, NORAD uses a combination of radar systems, satellites, fighter aircraft, and Santa Cams to track Santa’s sleigh as it departs from the North Pole and travels from country to country. According to NORAD officials, satellites detect the infrared glow from Rudolph’s nose, allowing them to monitor Santa’s progress across time zones.
Thousands of volunteers, including military members and civilians, assist with answering calls and sharing updates throughout Christmas Eve. The program not only spreads holiday cheer but also highlights the human side of the military, showcasing a commitment to community engagement and global goodwill.
Children and parents alike eagerly await updates as Santa moves through Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, adjusting to each region’s local time. The tracker often becomes part of family traditions, with households gathering together to watch Santa approach their area before heading to bed.
As NORAD celebrates its 70th year of Santa tracking, the tradition remains a symbol of imagination, generosity, and unity. In a world that can often feel divided, the Santa Tracker continues to offer a moment of shared wonder—reminding everyone that the spirit of Christmas transcends borders, cultures, and generations.