Where’s Santa? NORAD tracks St. Nick; see where he is now
NORAD Tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
ByCox Media Group National Content Desk
The mission to track Santa has begun as St. Nick is already flying around the globe delivering gifts to children all over the world.
As it has done for the past 70 years, NORAD, or the North American Aerospace Defense Command, is tracking the jolly elf.
The joint U.S. and Canadian military agency, which is normally tasked with protecting North American airspace, began following Santa on his 2025 trip.
In addition to tracking Santa’s movements, there are games, videos, a NORAD shop, songs, and even some history of the tracker.
The agency also has an app, or if you want an “old-fashioned Christmas,” a phone number to call. 877-HI-NORAD is open.
So how did a military organization start bringing a bit of Christmas cheer to generations of children?
Simple, it was a mistake.
NORAD’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, or CONAD, started tracking Santa in 1955 after a misprinted phone number had children who wanted to call a Santa hotline call a military command’s number.
Santa tracker came into being when Col. Harry Shoup, who was on duty that night, realized kids were trying to call the big man, and so he stood in for Santa.
The agency says, “We’re the only organization that has the technology, the qualifications, and the people to do it. And, we love it! NORAD is honored to be Santa’s official tracker!”
Calls come in from all over the world and the tracking is done by volunteers at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. Corporate donors pay for nearly all of the costs, NORAD said.
The group said that Santa starts at the International Date Line and does his global trip visiting the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, then Japan, Asia, Africa, western Europe, Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Central America and South America, with the warning that the route may change due to weather.
“NORAD coordinates with Santa’s Elf Launch Staff to confirm his launch time, but from that point on, Santa calls the shots. We just track him!,” they said.
NORAD said fighter jets have intercepted Santa many times over the decades, and when they do, they tip their wings to say “Hello.” They also have photos and videos of Santa traversing the globe.
The agency also gave some “specs” on Santa’s sleigh.
It was made by K. Kringle & Elves, Inc., with a first flight in 343 A.D. It is 75 candy canes (cc) or 150 lollipops (lp) long, 40 cc/80 lp wide and 55 cc/110 lp high without its nine reindeer. Speaking of reindeer, the sleigh has an armament of antlers which are “purely defensive,” and it is fueled by hay, oats and carrots for the reindeer to take flight.
The sleigh’s top speed is “faster than starlight” and has a climbing speed of one “twinkle of an eye.”
It carries about 60,000 tons of gifts.
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NORAD tracks Santa 2025 A volunteer takes a call at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 A service member takes a call at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025.NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 A volunteer shares laughs with others at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center while monitoring phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Service members take calls at NORAD tracks Santa operations center at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 A graphic on the wall displays technical information on Santa’s sleigh during the NORAD Tracks Santa event at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 We Have The Watch decorations are flanked by holiday decor during the NORAD Tracks Santa event at Peterson Space Force Base Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 A welcoming brief is held at the beginning of the NORAD Tracks Santa event at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 A service member takes a selfie as the NORAD Tracks Santa event starts at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Holidays decorations mark the 70th anniversary of NORAD Tracks Santa during the annual event. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025.NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 A service member smiles at the camera while monitoring calls at the NORAD Tracks Santa at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Holiday lights decorate the outside wall during NORAD Tracks Santa at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025.NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa operations center monitor phone lines at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2025. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
NORAD tracks Santa 2025 Holidays decorations mark the 70th anniversary of NORAD Tracks Santa during the annual event. NORAD is a binational command that monitors and defends North American aerospace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year using complementary, multi-domain defense capabilities, including military aircraft, radars, and satellites. The U.S. and Canadian professionals accomplishing this mission daily use these same systems with the additional mission of tracking Santa’s travels on Dec. 24 each year. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez) (Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez/NORAD Tracks Santa)
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