A cherished holiday tradition is back for its 69th year, as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) prepares to track Santa Claus’ global journey on Christmas Eve. Starting this Sunday, NORAD will launch its NORAD Tracks Santa website, noradsanta.org, offering a festive and interactive experience for children and families around the world.
The site features Santa’s North Pole Village, with a countdown to his December 24th journey, fun games, a movie theater, holiday music, a web store, and much more. The website, available in nine languages—English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, and Korean—will allow visitors to explore the magic of Santa’s preparations.
For those on the go, there’s also the official NORAD Tracks Santa smartphone app, available for download on both Apple App Store and Google Play. In addition to the website and app, NORAD’s social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) will offer live updates. You can also hear Santa’s whereabouts on Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and OnStar.
The fun kicks into full gear on Christmas Eve, when NORAD’s live operators will offer real-time updates on Santa’s flight, starting at 6 a.m. to midnight Mountain Time. To speak with an operator and get updates, callers can dial 1-877-HI-NORAD.
This beloved tradition began almost 70 years ago when a misprinted phone number in a 1955 Sears advertisement led children to mistakenly dial the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD’s predecessor. Instead of reaching Santa, they were connected with Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, who played along and gave updates on Santa’s location, creating a heartwarming annual event that has continued ever since.
As part of its mission to protect North American airspace, NORAD, a bi-national U.S.-Canada organization, has been tracking Santa’s sleigh since its inception, offering a unique blend of holiday cheer and air defense expertise.
The NORAD Tracks Santa program continues to bring joy to millions of families worldwide, keeping the spirit of Christmas alive and well in homes across the globe.
