NORAD Santa Tracker Brings Magic to Christmas Eve 2025 – Track Santa’s Flight Across the World and Join the Holiday Fun with Your Family

Published on December 24, 2025

For over 70 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has brought holiday magic to millions of children and families with its annual Santa Tracker. Every Christmas Eve, NORAD’s Santa Tracker allows families to follow Santa Claus’s journey as he travels across the globe, delivering presents to children around the world. What started as a happy accident in 1955 has become one of the most beloved Christmas traditions.

NORAD, typically known for its military operations, takes on a different role during the holiday season. On Christmas Eve, the organization switches from tracking aircraft and satellites to tracking Santa’s flight path, spreading cheer and excitement to households everywhere. In 2025, the tradition is back again, offering families around the world a chance to enjoy a fun and festive way to count down to Christmas Day.

The Origins of the NORAD Santa Tracker: A Tradition Born by Accident

The story of the NORAD Santa Tracker dates back to 1955 when a child mistakenly dialed a military operations center instead of Santa Claus. The officer who answered the phone reassured the child that Santa was safe and on his way, sparking a chain of events that led to the creation of the Santa Tracker. The military decided to continue this interaction year after year, and soon it became a holiday tradition.

Today, NORAD’s Santa Tracker is a beloved part of Christmas Eve celebrations for families across the globe. From its humble beginnings, the tracker has grown into a sophisticated operation, using radar, satellites, and long-range systems to create a fun and accurate simulation of Santa’s flight from the North Pole to homes worldwide.

Tracking Santa’s Journey: A Real-Time Experience for Families

Each year, families eagerly log on to the NORAD Tracks Santa website or use the mobile app to follow Santa’s real-time journey. The tracker provides updates as Santa crosses time zones and travels from continent to continent, giving families the opportunity to see where he is at any given moment. In addition to tracking Santa’s movements, the website offers a variety of festive features, including holiday music, games, and a countdown clock to Christmas morning.

One of the most exciting aspects of the NORAD Santa Tracker is the ability for children to interact directly with the program. On Christmas Eve, children can call a special hotline or use the website to ask where Santa is and when he might be near their town. NORAD volunteers, who answer these questions in multiple languages, help add a personal touch to the experience, making it feel even more magical for kids of all ages.

NORAD’s Role: Volunteers and Technology Unite for Holiday Magic

Behind the scenes, NORAD’s Santa Tracker is made possible by the hard work of thousands of volunteers from both the U.S. and Canada. These volunteers spend hours answering calls, updating the tracker, and ensuring that families have a seamless experience as they follow Santa’s journey. Additionally, NORAD utilizes cutting-edge technology to simulate Santa’s flight path using satellite and radar data, making the experience as accurate and fun as possible.

The program relies on a complex network of technologies to create the experience, including live video feeds, military satellites, and other systems that help track Santa’s position in real time. For families, this high-tech operation adds a layer of authenticity to the experience, making it feel like they are truly witnessing Santa’s flight across the globe.

What to Expect from the 2025 NORAD Santa Tracker Experience

For 2025, NORAD’s Santa Tracker promises to be bigger and better than ever. The website will feature interactive elements, including games, videos, and a live countdown to Christmas Day. The mobile app also includes updated features for families to track Santa on the go, ensuring that no matter where they are, they can always stay up to date on Santa’s progress.

Children can continue to interact with NORAD volunteers via the hotline, where they can ask questions about Santa’s location or just share their excitement about the holiday season. With updates in multiple languages, NORAD ensures that children and families from all around the world can participate in the fun and feel the holiday magic.

The Enduring Magic of NORAD’s Santa Tracker

For families across the world, the NORAD Santa Tracker has become a cherished Christmas Eve tradition. Each year, it brings families together to share in the excitement of Santa’s journey and fosters a sense of joy and wonder for children of all ages. Whether it’s watching Santa’s flight in real-time, playing festive games, or calling in for an update, NORAD’s Santa Tracker helps bring the spirit of Christmas to life in a unique and magical way.

As Christmas Eve 2025 approaches, millions of children and adults alike will tune in to follow Santa’s path, eagerly awaiting his visit to their homes. The NORAD Santa Tracker serves as a reminder of the joy, magic, and warmth that the holiday season brings, creating lasting memories and traditions for families everywhere.

Conclusion: NORAD Santa Tracker – A Timeless Holiday Tradition

As we approach another holiday season, the NORAD Santa Tracker continues to be a beloved tradition for families across the globe. Whether it’s the thrill of tracking Santa’s flight in real-time or sharing holiday cheer with loved ones, the NORAD Santa Tracker adds an extra layer of magic to Christmas Eve celebrations. With its combination of cutting-edge technology, volunteer support, and a deep sense of holiday spirit, the NORAD Santa Tracker will remain a central part of the Christmas experience for years to come.