NORAD Santa tracker follows the journey of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve for the 70th year. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, based in Colorado, said Wednesday that Santa’s reindeer-powered sleigh is flying over rooftops worldwide, bringing gifts to millions of children.
Although the holiday tradition has lasted for seven decades, NORAD admits it cannot predict Santa’s exact route. Santa, also known as Kris Kringle or Saint Nicholas, does not file a flight plan. NORAD only knows he departs each Christmas Eve from the North Pole.
A senior NORAD official said the organization tracks Santa’s flight, but only Santa himself knows his route. This means there is no way to know the exact time or location he will reach each home.
The NORAD Santa tracker combines holiday cheer with military technology. The command’s main responsibility is to monitor air defenses and provide aerospace and maritime warnings. Over the years, it has added tracking Santa’s journey using its radar and satellite systems.
The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs newspaper printed a wrong telephone number for children trying to call Santa. The number reached the Continental Air Defense Command. An officer who answered the calls told children that Santa was airborne and on schedule. That gesture evolved into NORAD’s annual Santa tracking.
NORAD tracks Santa’s liftoff with its polar radar network. Satellites, the same ones used to detect missile threats, then follow the sleigh across the globe. Rudolph’s red nose helps military personnel locate the lead reindeer using infrared sensors on these satellites.
This year, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to follow the NORAD Santa tracker while at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. He spoke with children calling from across the country, mentioning Santa’s current location and asking what gifts they hoped to receive.
During one call, the president explained that Santa was in Copenhagen, Denmark, before heading toward the United States. In another conversation, he humorously referred to tracking Santa as a matter of national security, saying the goal was to ensure no “bad Santa” entered the country.
The NORAD Santa tracker has become a global holiday highlight. Families, schools, and media outlets tune in every year to follow the sleigh’s progress. The program uses social media, websites, and apps to provide updates, maps, and images of Santa’s worldwide journey.
For children and adults alike, the tracker blends technology with holiday magic. NORAD’s dedication has turned a simple newspaper misprint into an enduring Christmas tradition. It continues to bring smiles, encourage imagination, and connect communities around the world.
As NORAD celebrates its 70th year of tracking Santa, millions of families eagerly follow each update, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous sleigh before it disappears into the night sky. This blend of military expertise and festive fun keeps the holiday spirit alive for new generations.
