NORAD Set to Track Santa on Christmas Eve

NORAD set to track Santa once again on Christmas Eve as the North American Aerospace Defense Command prepares to follow Santa Claus’s journey around the world using radar and satellite systems.

The annual tradition returns this year with live updates for families, marking one of NORAD’s most popular public outreach events.

NORAD confirmed it will activate its Santa Operations Center early on December 24, allowing children and families to track Santa’s global journey in real time.

The tracker will go live online and through a dedicated call center, where volunteers will share Santa’s location as he delivers gifts across continents. The operation begins at 4 a.m. MST and runs until midnight.

Children can also call 877-446-6723 to speak directly with a Santa tracker.

Why It Matters

The event highlights the lighter side of NORAD’s mission and has become a cherished Christmas Eve ritual for millions worldwide.

What started as a simple mistake in 1955, when a child accidentally called a military defense line while trying to reach Santa, has grown into a global holiday tradition. Rather than dismiss the call, an Air Force officer chose to play along — creating a legacy that continues nearly 70 years later.

The tradition also offers a rare, friendly glimpse into the work of a military command best known for safeguarding North American airspace.

What Happens Next

More than 1,000 US and Canadian service members, civilian staff, and volunteers will staff the call center at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, answering hundreds of thousands of calls from around the world.

NORAD will provide live updates throughout Christmas Eve until Santa completes his journey.

Pentagon officials also used the announcement to acknowledge deployed service members spending the holidays away from home, thanking them for their continued service.

A Tradition That Endures

NORAD formally adopted the Santa tracking mission in 1958, the year the command was created. Since then, it has become one of the longest-running military holiday traditions, blending history, goodwill, and Christmas magic.