Track Santa's 2024 Journey with NORAD's Real-Time Christmas Flight Map
It’s Christmas Eve, and all eyes are on Santa Claus as he prepares for his annual journey from the North Pole to deliver gifts to children all over the world. The tradition of tracking Santa’s travels is a beloved one, and this year, NORAD (the North American Aerospace Defense Command) continues to track his every move. Since 1958, NORAD has been using its sophisticated radar systems and satellites to follow Santa’s flight path, and you can follow along too, thanks to the agency’s live map.
Santa’s journey begins at the North Pole, and from there, he travels across the globe, delivering presents to over 6 billion children and counting. His first stops are in the Pacific Rim, before heading south to Australia and making his way through Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. As night falls in the Western Hemisphere, Santa traverses South America and the Caribbean, eventually reaching Canada and the United States. Throughout the day, NORAD updates the map in real time, allowing families to keep track of where Santa is at any given moment. You can follow these updates on NORAD’s website or via their social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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While the map shows Santa’s location, it doesn’t give an exact time for when he’ll arrive at your house. According to NORAD, "only Santa knows his route," and although they can track his movements, they can’t predict when he’ll arrive. However, from years of experience, they know that Santa usually visits homes between 9 p.m. and midnight on Christmas Eve, typically when children are fast asleep.
How does NORAD track Santa? The process is highly technical and relies on the same systems NORAD uses to monitor airspace for potential threats. The agency’s radar system, known as the North American Warning System, has 47 checkpoints across Alaska and northern Canada, constantly scanning the skies. The moment the radar picks up Santa leaving the North Pole, NORAD springs into action, using the same satellites they would use to detect missile launches aimed at North America.
For those who want more personalized updates, NORAD also offers a special phone service. By calling 1-877-HI-NORAD, you can speak with a volunteer operator who will tell you Santa’s current location. This service is available from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern Time on Christmas Eve. In fact, more than 1,250 military personnel and volunteers from the U.S. Department of Defense work together to answer the thousands of calls and emails that come in throughout the day. Some years, even the President and First Lady join in to answer calls and bring some holiday cheer to families.
NORAD’s Santa tracker is a fun and heartwarming tradition that brings the magic of Christmas to life, but it’s also a reminder of the incredible work that goes into keeping our skies safe. As Santa makes his way around the world, the NORAD team ensures that he’s not only able to deliver presents but that everyone can join in on the fun by tracking his progress, learning more about the technology behind the operation, and enjoying this festive holiday event.
So, whether you're watching Santa’s journey on your computer screen or calling to check his location, one thing is certain—thanks to NORAD, the magic of Christmas is just a click away. Happy holidays, and happy tracking!
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