For the 70th year, NORAD uses its military defense systems to track Santa's global Christmas journey. Follow the live map here.

The beloved NORAD Tracks Santa program is live for 2025, using the North American Aerospace Defense Command's military technology to follow Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve flight. This tradition turns satellites, radar, and fighter jets toward the festive mission of mapping Santa's path from the North Pole to homes worldwide.

Live Santa Tracker Map & Route

The official NORAD map updates in real-time. Santa's journey typically starts in the South Pacific with stops in New Zealand and Australia. He then travels across Asia, Africa, and Europe before arriving in the Americas.

As NORAD notes, "Only Santa knows his route... However, we know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep!" He generally delivers gifts between 9 p.m. and midnight local time on Christmas Eve.

How NORAD Tracks Santa

The tracker utilizes NORAD's defense infrastructure:

• Radar: The North Warning System across Alaska and Canada.
• Satellites: Geosynchronous orbit satellites with infrared sensors.
• Fighter Jets: Canadian and U.S. jets that occasionally provide escort.

The public can follow along via the live NORAD Tracks Santa website or by calling the holiday hotline at 1-877-HI-NORAD.

A 70-Year Holiday Tradition

The program began accidentally in 1955 when a child's misdialed call to Santa reached a military command center. The officer on duty played along, creating an enduring tradition. This year, the operation center is again staffed by volunteers to answer thousands of calls from families.

Source: All information on the NORAD Tracks Santa program, including operational details and quotes, is sourced from the official NORAD Tracks Santa website.