Santa Claus has officially begun his annual Christmas Eve journey, and millions of families across the United States are watching his progress online. The Santa tracker, run by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, went live early Tuesday.
The tracker allows children and parents to follow Santa as he travels across the globe delivering presents. The tradition has become a Christmas Eve ritual in many American homes.
How NORAD Tracks Santa
NORAD is a joint U.S. and Canadian military command responsible for monitoring North American airspace. Despite its serious mission, the organization has tracked Santa every Christmas Eve since 1955.
According to NORAD, the tradition began after a child accidentally called its command center while trying to reach Santa. Instead of turning the child away, officers shared Santa’s location, and the idea stuck.
You can view the official tracker on NORAD’s website at
https://www.noradsanta.org.
Santa’s Route and First Stop
Santa’s journey begins at the North Pole before heading west. His first official stop is Kiribati, a Pacific island nation that sits in the world’s earliest time zone.
The tracker shows Santa’s estimated arrival times, distance traveled, and fun facts about each location. NORAD says its system uses satellites, radar, and aircraft to follow the sleigh.
A Tradition Nearly 70 Years Old
This year marks nearly 70 years since NORAD first began tracking Santa. The modern version includes games, videos, and live updates designed for children.
NORAD officials say the program helps connect families with the military in a positive way during the holidays. The Department of Defense has publicly supported the effort for decades.
Major news outlets, including Reuters, regularly cover the tracker’s launch as part of Christmas Eve coverage.
Why Families Keep Watching
Parents say the tracker adds excitement and comfort for children waiting for Santa’s arrival. Many families leave the tracker open throughout the night.
As NORAD puts it, the goal is simple. Keep the magic alive, one Christmas Eve at a time.