As Christmas Eve approaches, one of the most beloved traditions is tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way around the world delivering gifts to children everywhere. For over 60 years, the NORAD Santa Tracker has allowed families to track Santa’s journey in real-time, thanks to the efforts of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Here’s everything you need to know about the NORAD Santa Tracker and other ways you can track Santa in 2024.
What is NORAD Santa Tracker?
The NORAD Santa Tracker is an annual holiday event where NORAD, the U.S. and Canadian defense organization, tracks the journey of Santa Claus using their military radar and satellite systems. The tradition began in 1955 when a misprinted phone number in a Sears ad directed children to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) instead of Santa’s hotline. The commander on duty, Colonel Harry Shoup, decided to track Santa’s flight and provide updates to the children who called.
Since then, this tradition has been carried on every year by NORAD, and it’s grown into a global event, allowing children and adults alike to follow Santa’s travels on Christmas Eve.
Where to Track Santa in 2024
1. NORAD Santa Tracker Website
The official NORAD website will be the best place to track Santa Claus in real-time this Christmas Eve. The NORAD Tracks Santa website offers several interactive features:
- Real-Time Tracking: The tracker provides live updates on Santa’s location, showing where he is currently, where he’s been, and where he’s headed next.
- Maps and Timelines: You can view an interactive map of the world with Santa’s path clearly marked. You’ll also be able to see the time of day in each location, helping to calculate when Santa might arrive in your area.
- Fun Facts: Each year, the website also provides fun facts about Santa, reindeer, and Christmas traditions from around the world.
- Live Video and Audio Updates: There are often video updates and live broadcasts as Santa’s sleigh flies through the sky.
- Games and Activities: In addition to tracking Santa, the website offers fun games for kids and families to play while waiting for Santa to arrive. These include puzzles, games, and challenges related to Santa’s adventures.
You can access the NORAD Santa Tracker website here:
www.noradsanta.org
2. NORAD Santa Tracker App
For those who prefer to track Santa on their phones, the NORAD Tracks Santa app is available for free download on both iOS and Android devices. The app provides all the same features as the website, including real-time tracking, Santa facts, and activities for children.
- App Features: The app also offers an interactive map and countdown to Christmas Eve, so you can prepare to track Santa as soon as he begins his journey.
3. Google Santa Tracker
In addition to NORAD, Google also provides its own version of a Santa tracker. The Google Santa Tracker includes an interactive website where you can follow Santa in real time. As well as tracking Santa’s progress, Google offers:
- Countdown to Christmas: A countdown timer that shows how much longer until Santa’s sleigh lifts off.
- Santa’s Village: A fun place where children can play games, watch videos, and discover Christmas-themed activities.
- Track Santa on Google Maps: Google integrates Santa tracking into Google Maps, allowing you to see Santa’s location as he flies over your country.
You can access the Google Santa Tracker here:
www.santatracker.google.com
What Time Will Santa Arrive?
If you’re wondering, “When will Santa be at my house?”, the time varies based on where you live and when Santa arrives in your part of the world. Using the NORAD Santa Tracker or Google Santa Tracker, you can get real-time updates and even predict when he will arrive based on Santa’s current location.
- Santa typically starts his journey from the North Pole on Christmas Eve and visits different time zones as night falls. He travels quickly, moving from one country to the next in a matter of hours.
- Use the tracker to estimate when he will reach your city or country based on the live data available.
Can I Call Santa?
Many kids (and adults) love the idea of speaking directly to Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. While NORAD itself doesn’t offer a phone line to Santa, you can still call Santa through various apps or websites that offer “Santa’s Hotline.” There are also several Santa phone numbers available through services that let you listen to pre-recorded messages from Santa or even leave a message for him.
One popular service is Santa’s Virtual Assistant, which allows you to call or text Santa directly and ask him questions. A quick search for Santa’s phone number should provide you with several options.
Santa Tracker: Fun Facts
- Santa’s Reindeer: Santa’s sleigh is pulled by nine reindeer, led by Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. Other famous reindeer include Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.
- Santa’s Sleigh: Santa’s sleigh is said to be capable of flying at incredible speeds, allowing him to visit every home in the world on Christmas Eve. According to NORAD, Santa’s sleigh travels at speeds exceeding 650 miles per second!
- Santa’s Workshop: Santa’s North Pole workshop is a magical place where millions of toys are made every year by Santa’s elves.
Where is Santa Now?
As Christmas Eve draws closer, many are eager to know “Where is Santa right now?” Fortunately, the NORAD Santa Tracker and Google Santa Tracker provide live updates, so you can always find out where Santa is in real time. Whether he’s over the Pacific Ocean or making his way through Europe, you’ll be able to track his every move.
Conclusion
Tracking Santa Claus has become a fun and heartwarming tradition for families around the world. In 2024, you can follow NORAD and Google as they track Santa’s journey across the globe. Whether through the official NORAD Santa Tracker website, the mobile app, or the Google Santa Tracker, there are many ways to get involved in the magic and excitement of Christmas Eve.
So, grab your family, track Santa, and get ready for a Merry Christmas Eve filled with joy and wonder as Santa Claus delivers gifts to children all over the world!
Happy tracking, and Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄
