Santa Tracker 2025: How NORAD, Google, and Flight Trackers Follow Santa’s Christmas Eve Journey

[Link] The NORAD Tracks Santa website
[Link] The Google's Santa tracker Website
[Link] Global flight tracking service Flightradar24,

Every Christmas Eve, millions of people around the world pause to follow a magical tradition: tracking Santa Claus as he travels across the globe delivering gifts. In 2025, this beloved experience continues through advanced digital platforms run by NORAD, Google, and even global flight-tracking services, blending holiday wonder with modern technology.

The Origins of NORAD’s Santa Tracker

NORAD’s Santa Tracker is not just a modern digital feature; it is a tradition that spans nearly seven decades. The idea began by accident more than 70 years ago, when children mistakenly called a military defense hotline after a misprinted phone number appeared in a Sears advertisement. Instead of turning them away, Air Force Colonel Harry W. Shoup instructed his team to give updates on Santa’s location, unknowingly creating a holiday institution.

Since then, the North American Aerospace Defense Command has transformed this spontaneous act of kindness into an annual global event. Today, NORAD uses advanced radar systems, satellites, and specially designed Santa cams in space to monitor Santa’s journey as he circles the Earth.

According to NORAD officials, while they can track Santa’s movements, only Santa himself knows his exact route. This element of mystery remains part of the magic and charm of the experience.

How to Track Santa with NORAD in 2025

NORAD officially begins tracking Santa at 6 a.m. Eastern Time on Christmas Eve. Visitors can follow his journey through the NORAD Tracks Santa website, which offers real-time updates, interactive maps, games, and festive videos.

For those who prefer a more personal touch, NORAD volunteers also answer phone calls from curious children and families. Live operators provide Santa’s location updates through a dedicated hotline that stays active until late into Christmas night.

The platform is accessible worldwide, offering content in multiple languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, and several others. NORAD also provides mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices, making it easy to follow Santa from anywhere.

In addition to tracking, NORAD’s YouTube channel now features Christmas celebration videos submitted by families, showcasing how this tradition continues to connect people across cultures and generations.

Google’s Santa Tracker: A Digital Playground of Holiday Fun

Google has offered its own Santa Tracker since 2004, bringing a more animated and playful approach to following Santa’s trip. Google’s platform presents real-time visual updates of Santa and his sleigh as they move across continents, accompanied by interactive mini-games, educational content, and festive activities.

Available in dozens of languages, Google’s Santa Tracker is designed especially for families and children, combining entertainment with simple geography lessons and holiday storytelling. Users can access it via the web or through Google’s dedicated mobile app.

Following Santa with Flightradar24

In a more tech-inspired twist, global flight-tracking service Flightradar24 also joins the holiday fun by tracking Santa’s sleigh. Known for monitoring real aircraft movements around the world, the platform humorously treats Santa’s sleigh as a high-priority global flight.

Flightradar24 states that it has worked closely with Santa’s workshop to ensure the sleigh is equipped with the latest tracking technology. Santa’s journey can be followed on the Flightradar24 website and through their YouTube channel, offering a unique perspective that appeals to aviation enthusiasts and curious adults alike.

Conclusion: Where Technology Meets Holiday Magic

The Santa Tracker tradition is a reminder that technology doesn’t always have to feel cold or distant. Whether through NORAD’s military-grade systems, Google’s playful digital world, or Flightradar24’s aviation-style tracking, the goal remains the same: to spark joy, imagination, and togetherness.

As Santa travels across time zones and continents on Christmas Eve, millions of families share the same moment of wonder. In an increasingly fast-paced world, following Santa’s journey offers a rare pause—one filled with excitement, storytelling, and the belief that a little magic still exists for everyone, no matter their age.

Sources

USA Today – Santa tracker 2025: Follow his Christmas Eve trip using NORAD, Google
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/12/24/santa-tracker-2025-norad-google/87901243007/

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