For seven decades, the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) has kept a close eye on a very special visitor during Christmas Eve. The joint US-Canadian operation, originally established to monitor North American airspace during the Cold War, has maintained a unique tradition: tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents around the world.
Children calling the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline often hang up in disbelief when warned that Santa may miss them if they are not asleep. Others ask whether the jolly figure will be able to locate them at all. Adults, too, remain captivated by the idea of monitoring Saint Nick’s progress, keeping the holiday magic alive across generations.
More than 1,000 volunteers are expected to field calls this year from 4 a.m. to midnight Mountain Standard Time (12 p.m. to 8 a.m. Central European Time) to maintain the longstanding tradition. For the first time, participants can also place calls through the NORAD website, providing easier access for Santa seekers outside North America. The website allows visitors to follow Santa’s journey in nine languages, including English and Japanese.
In 2024, roughly 380,000 calls were received at a hangar decorated for the holidays at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, the home of NORAD. While Santa is not a threat, NORAD’s sophisticated combination of radar, satellites, and fighter jets that is used for airspace defence also allows the organisation to track the legendary gift-giver in real time.
A NORAD spokesperson explained that Rudolph’s red nose produces a heat signature similar to that of a missile, allowing satellites to pick up the signal as he travels from the International Date Line over the Pacific Ocean. This playful use of military technology has captured the imagination of children and families worldwide for generations.
The program, which began in 1955 after a misprinted phone number led children to call the Continental Air Defense Command, has grown into a highly organised operation. Every year, NORAD updates its tracking systems and volunteer networks to ensure that the magic of following Santa continues seamlessly.
Families around the world can now check on Santa’s progress from their phones or computers, enjoying maps and updates as he circles the globe. The tradition has become a holiday ritual for many, combining the spirit of Christmas with a nod to advanced aerospace technology.
NORAD’s Santa tracking initiative demonstrates how decades-old institutions can adapt their tools for joy, blending the wonder of childhood with the precision of modern military technology. For 70 years, this special project has helped maintain the festive excitement of Christmas while connecting communities across continents in a shared tradition of holiday cheer.
