The beloved Christmas tradition of tracking Santa Claus has gained worldwide appeal, as children and families across the globe look eagerly to see where Santa is on Christmas Eve. Each year, around 100,000 children call the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to ask about Santa’s whereabouts, with millions more following online in multiple languages.
While NORAD’s primary role is to monitor the skies for potential threats, including incidents like last year’s balloon incident, on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs dedicate their time to responding to questions such as, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” Volunteers like Bob Sommers, a civilian contractor, bring joy and laughter to these calls, providing a festive experience for eager children.
This charming tradition dates back to 1955, originating from an unintended phone call by a child who misdialed and reached NORAD instead of Santa. Colonel Harry W. Shoup, the officer on duty, humorously embraced the surprise and engaged with the child as if he were Santa. This moment sparked a series of calls that led to the establishment of the Santa tracking tradition, showing how a simple error can lead to joyous, enduring traditions.
Today, NORAD’s Santa tracker employs advanced technology to follow Santa’s journey around the world. NORAD operates a dedicated website and app that allow families to watch Santa’s progress on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. This melding of tradition with modern technology illustrates the enduring magic of Christmas and provides a way for families to connect and share in the excitement of the holiday season.
The bright spirit of the NORAD Santa Tracker serves as a reminder of the joy of Christmas and the importance of fostering connections, especially during the festive season. Families worldwide look forward to this annual event, filling homes with laughter, dreams, and the irreplaceable feeling of childhood wonder.