For decades, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has turned a mission rooted in national security into a beloved holiday tradition. Each Christmas Eve, the organization brings seasonal magic to life—and this year marks a significant milestone in that festive legacy.
NORAD is celebrating 70 years of tracking Santa Claus, a tradition that began in 1955 and continues to delight families around the world with no signs of slowing down.
From its headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, more than 1,000 U.S. and Canadian service members, Department of Defense personnel, and volunteers unite for the annual event. Together, they track Santa’s journey and answer calls from excited children eager for updates on his whereabouts.
Beginning at 4 a.m. on Christmas Eve and running through midnight Mountain Standard Time, volunteers take calls via 1-877-HI-NORAD. For the first time this year, children can also reach out directly through NORAD’s official website.
The site features an interactive, real-time map powered by NORAD’s “North Warning” radar system, allowing visitors to follow Santa’s global journey as it unfolds.
Using data from 49 radar installations spread across northern Canada and Alaska, the system signals when Santa departs the North Pole and tracks his path as he circles the globe.
“NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route,” a senior NORAD official said. “That means we can’t predict exactly when or where he’ll arrive at your house.”
Adding to the holiday excitement, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump joined the festivities by answering calls from children on the Santa tracker hotline from their Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
Their conversations ranged from cheerful holiday chatter to Christmas wish lists and hopes for the season ahead.
“You must be a high-IQ person,” President Trump told one child who requested an Amazon Kindle. “Santa loves you. Santa loves Oklahoma like I do,” he added while speaking with callers from the state, referencing its strong support during the election.
Last year alone, NORAD received more than 300,000 calls. Its website also hosts a virtual North Pole Village complete with music, games, a gift shop, theater, holiday countdown, and digital library—available in nine languages.
The cherished tradition traces its roots back to the Cold War era, when a department store advertisement accidentally printed the wrong phone number for children to call Santa.
Instead, one young boy reached the Continental Air Defense Command—NORAD’s predecessor—and asked to speak with Kris Kringle while reading off his Christmas wishes.
Rather than dismissing the call, Col. Harry Shoup, the officer on duty, chose to play along. He told the child he would watch for Santa using the radar system. Word spread quickly, calls kept coming, and a heartwarming holiday tradition was born—one that continues to bring joy to millions each year.