NORAD Continues its 68-Year Tradition of Tracking Santa Claus on Christmas Eve
For the 68th consecutive year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is gearing up to track Santa Claus as he embarks on his worldwide gift-giving journey on Christmas Eve. This time-honored tradition allows children and adults alike to follow Santa's progress as he spreads joy across the globe.
NORAD, responsible for monitoring and safeguarding North American airspace every day of the year, began this annual event in 1955.
According to NORAD and Col. Elizabeth Mathias, U.S. Northern Command public affairs director, the tradition was born when a curious child accidentally dialed the wrong number and ended up speaking to a U.S. colonel instead of Santa Claus.
Pentagon Spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder says NORAD will continue its tradition of tracking Santa this Christmas Eve, the organization's 68th year doing so.
The child had unknowingly reached the operations center of NORAD's predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, located in Colorado Springs. Col. Harry Shoup, the commander on duty at the time, decided to check the radar for Santa's whereabouts, thus initiating the first-ever Santa tracking program. Over the years, what started as a serendipitous phone call has evolved into a massive operation involving over 1,000 volunteers.
Months of meticulous planning go into this brief 24-hour event. Mathias and her team devote their efforts year-round, reflecting on the previous December's operations and expressing gratitude to the program's more than 70 corporate contributors who generously cover the associated costs, as stated on NORAD's website.
Volunteers at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center on Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, on Dec. 24, 2022. (PHOTO: DEPT. OF DEFENSE)
The Santa tracker launches at 6 a.m. ET on December 24, coinciding with Santa's initial approach to far eastern Asia. Utilizing a combination of radars, satellites, and jet fighters, NORAD is equipped to monitor Mr. Claus' global journey.
Throughout the day, approximately 1,100 to 1,200 volunteers man the phones, answering calls from individuals across the world dialing into the 1-877-HI-NORAD hotline.
Members of the Colorado Springs community provide food for the volunteers, while NORAD's base partners ensure the operations center remains well-lit and functional. Although many volunteers are physically present at the center, those on leave or off-station also participate remotely through a call bridge.
In Memory of Retired Colonel Harry Shoup, NORAD's First Santa Tracker. September 29, 1917 - March 14, 2009
In 2022 alone, the program handled 73,000 calls in-person and a total of 260,000 calls, according to Mathias.
Beyond the hotline, NORAD updates Santa's progress through its website, mobile apps, and social media platforms. Additionally, the information is made available through Amazon Alexa, OnStar, and SiriusXM Radio.
The extraordinary event concludes at 2 a.m. ET on December 25, when the last volunteers sign off for the night. As the 70th anniversary of NORAD Tracks Santa approaches in just two years, Mathias attributes the program's longevity to the unwavering dedication of everyone involved and, of course, Santa's enduring popularity.
"He doesn't need me to tell you how great he is," Mathias remarked. "I think there are many fans around the world who can tell you that."