It's Christmas Eve 2025, and around the world, wide-eyed children (and more than a few nostalgic adults) are glued to their screens, asking the timeless question: "Where is Santa right now?" Thanks to modern technology and a dash of holiday magic, we can follow Santa Claus's whirlwind global delivery tour in real time. The two most beloved Santa trackers—NORAD's official program and Google's playful version—turn the night into an interactive adventure, blending tradition with cutting-edge fun.
A Heartwarming Origin Story: How NORAD Became Santa's Official Tracker
The NORAD Santa Tracker celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025, and its beginnings are straight out of a holiday movie. Back in 1955, a Sears department store ad in Colorado Springs mistakenly printed the top-secret phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD, NORAD's predecessor) as Santa's hotline. When kids started calling, Colonel Harry Shoup answered—and instead of hanging up, he played along, giving "updates" on Santa's location.
What started as a happy accident became an annual tradition. By 1958, NORAD took over, and today, over 1,000 volunteers staff phones, answering calls from excited children worldwide on 1-877-HI-NORAD. NORAD "tracks" Santa using radar, satellites, and even fighter jet "escorts"—all in good fun, of course.
Google's Playful Twist: Games, Villages, and Global Fun
Google jumped into the sleigh in 2004 with its own Santa Tracker, turning the experience into a whimsical digital playground. Available at santatracker.google.com, it features a vibrant North Pole Village packed with games, quizzes, educational activities, and holiday videos throughout December. On Christmas Eve, the live tracker kicks in, showing Santa's route on Google Maps with animated flair, gift delivery counts, and estimated arrival times.
In 2025, expect festive mini-games like coding challenges with elves or geography quizzes tied to Santa's stops—perfect for keeping kids entertained while waiting for bedtime (since Santa only visits sleeping houses!).
How It All Works on Christmas Eve
Both trackers go live on December 24:
- NORAD (noradsanta.org): Starts early morning, with a 3D map, volunteer hotline, apps, and social media updates. It's military-precision meets holiday cheer.
- Google: Launches when Santa departs the North Pole, following the International Date Line eastward—starting in the Pacific, hitting New Zealand and Australia first.
Santa's route defies physics: billions of gifts delivered in one night, arriving between 9 p.m. and midnight local time (only when kids are asleep!). Trackers show his progress, photos from stops, and fun facts about cities he visits.
Why Santa Trackers Capture Our Hearts
In a world of screens and skepticism, these trackers keep the magic alive. They build excitement, teach geography, and create family memories—parents sneaking peeks to nudge kids toward bed. Whether you prefer NORAD's authoritative vibe or Google's gamified joy, both remind us that a little wonder goes a long way.
So fire up your device, pour some cocoa, and join millions watching Santa soar. After all, believing is seeing—especially on Christmas Eve.
Merry Christmas 2025! Ho ho ho!