How NORAD Keeps Track of Santa’s Global Christmas Eve Journey
Every Christmas Eve, while most of us are busy wrapping last-minute gifts or setting out milk and cookies, something pretty magical is happening behind the scenes. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD, is once again tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way around the world. What started as a happy accident decades ago has now become one of the most beloved holiday traditions shared by families everywhere.
NORAD’s Santa tracking story goes all the way back to 1955. A phone number meant for Santa was accidentally printed in a newspaper ad, and instead of reaching the North Pole, children ended up calling a military command center. Rather than turning them away, the calls were answered, and kids were told Santa was being tracked on radar. From that moment on, a tradition was born, and it has been carried forward ever since.
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Today, Santa’s journey is followed using a mix of modern technology and festive imagination. According to NORAD officials, Santa is “detected” as he leaves the North Pole on Christmas Eve, and his sleigh is tracked across continents as gifts are delivered. Satellite systems, radar, and special “Santa cams” are said to help monitor his progress, allowing families to see where he is at any given moment. Of course, it is always gently reminded that only Santa truly knows his exact route.
The tracker officially goes live on December 24, and from that point on, updates are shared in real time. Santa’s sleigh can be viewed in 3D as it circles the globe, stopping in different countries as local midnight approaches. It is said that Santa tries to visit homes between 9 p.m. and midnight local time, which gives parents a helpful reminder to make sure children are fast asleep before he arrives.
What makes the NORAD Santa Tracker especially special is how interactive it has become. Families can explore games, videos, and holiday messages, and in some places, phone operators even take calls from excited children asking where Santa is right now. Over the years, the tracker has been translated into multiple languages, turning it into a truly global experience.
In the end, the NORAD Santa Tracker is less about technology and more about tradition. It brings a sense of wonder, connection, and excitement to Christmas Eve, reminding everyone that a little bit of magic is still alive, especially when it is shared around the world.
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