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.
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.
