- NORAD Santa tracker is available in many languages: English, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Italian, German and Spanish.
- “Alexa, where’s Santa?” During the 2022 holiday season, there were “9.7 million utterances” on Amazon Alexa for NORAD Santa tracker in just over a month.
“When does Santa arrive on Christmas?”
Depending on whom — and how — you ask, you’ll likely get an answer. (Isn’t that cool?)
Thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Santa Tracker, asking when jolly old St. Nicholas will get to Melbourne, Florida, or Boulder, Colorado, (or wherever you’re from!) has been an annual holiday tradition since 1955. The Department of Defense has made tracking Santa Claus and his reindeer’s flight around the world every year part of its mission. Its website says more than 1,250 Canadian and American uniformed personnel and DOD civilians volunteer their time on Christmas Eve to answer the hundreds of thousands of phone calls and emails that come in from around the world.
NORAD, Google Santa Tracker in Florida:What time does Santa Claus arrive on Christmas?
In this digital and social media-crazy age, there are many ways to track Santa’s path. For example, there’s an app for that. Ask Alexa. Google it. Speed dial. Email. Turn on the radio.
Below is a NORAD guide to help you track Santa Claus, Rudolph, Donner, Blitzen and the rest of the reindeer just in time for Christmas.
What is NORAD Santa tracker? How did a newspaper ad help kickstart NORAD Santa tradition?
In 1955, after seeing an ad in the local newspaper, a child wanting to talk to Santa Claus accidentally called the unlisted number of CONAD (Continental Air Defense Command) or what is now NORAD Command. The operations center director, Col. Harry Shoup, assured the child that Santa Claus would make it to his destinations safely, according to a story on defense.gov.
NORAD is using its tracking capabilities to follow the progress of Santa Claus and his reindeer as he takes flight on Christmas Eve to deliver toys around the world. This year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website launched Dec. 1, 2024, featuring Santa’s North Pole Village. The website includes a holiday countdown, games, movie theater, holiday music, web store, and more.
Trackers can also follow Santa on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and its YouTube channel. The official NORAD Tracks Santa app is also in the Apple App and Google Play stores, to count down the days until Santa’s journey on mobile devices.
Click here to visit NORAD’s Santa Claus Tracker in another browser.
Interestingly, NORAD Santa tracker was created, thanks, in part, to a local newspaper (a mistake in an ad, if we’re being accurate). To this day, local newspapers around the world report about the NORAD Santa tracker.
When does Santa arrive in Florida on Christmas 2024?
Santa Claus begins his journey from the North Pole with his trusty reindeer pulling his sleigh. According to NORAD, it seems Santa arrives between 9 p.m. and midnight on Christmas Eve. This year, that’s between 9 p.m. and midnight Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. If children are still awake when Santa arrives, he moves on to other houses.
What is NORAD Santa tracker phone number? Can you call Santa Claus?
On Christmas Eve, trackers worldwide can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight MST. Also on Dec. 24, website visitors will see Santa’s flight from 4 a.m. to midnight MST. If callers are unable to reach a live volunteer, a recorded update on Santa’s location will be available, according to the website.
NORAD Santa tracker apps for iPhone, Android
Got an Android? NORAD Santa tracker app on Google Play store
Got an iPhone, iPad or Apple computer? NORAD Santa tracker app for Mac devices
NORAD Santa tracker on Twitter
The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter and owned by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, tracks Santa via the Department of Defense (@deptofdedense) and @noradsanta handles. The official tweets have the blue checkmark.
If you’re doing a hashtag search, try #NoradTracksSanta and #WeHaveTheWatch
NORAD Santa tracker on Facebook
Like! 👍🏽 NORAD Santa tracker has its own Facebook page with 2 million fans, as of Monday, Dec. 23, 2024.
Like or follow or browse NORAD Santa tracker on Facebook
NORAD Santa tracker on Instagram, NORAD Santa Reels
If you want to keep up with NORAD Santa tracker on Instagram, click on the heart and paper airplane emoji on the official profile. NORAD will post Reels with Santa Claus’ whereabouts. The Department of Defense will update Santa’s location via posts and Instagram Reels. You’ll also learn fun facts about NORAD and its rich history.
NORAD Santa tracker on Instagram
NORAD Santa tracker on YouTube
NORAD Santa tracker has a YouTube Channel.
Fans can watch videos about the NORAD Santa tracker, how it got its start, what the NORAD Santa tracker command center looks like, and what pilots see.
NORAD Santa tracker using Amazon Alexa
NORAD Santa tracker is on Amazon Alexa, too.
If you have an Amazon Echo or Amazon Alexa device, ask: “Alexa, when does Santa arrive on Christmas?” or, specifically, “Alexa, when does Santa arrive in Rochester Hills, Michigan?”
According to norad.mil, there were “9.7 million utterances” of the NORAD Santa tracker on Amazon Alexa from Nov. 25, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023. ICYMI, 9.7 million queries like, “Alexa, where is Santa?” in just over one month during the 2022 holiday season.
NORAD Santa tracker using OnStar
If you are a subscriber to OnStar location services, you can ask, “OnStar, where is Santa?”
According to norad.mil, there were “12,000 requests to locate Santa” via the NORAD Santa tracker system on OnStar from Nov. 25, 2022, to Jan. 1, 2023.
NORAD Santa tracker on SiriusXM
Listening to SiriusXM in the car, home or at a Christmas gathering? Search for the “Kid’s Place Live” channel for the NORAD Santa tracker.