High-Tech Team Tracks Santa on Christmas Eve

As children around the world prepare for Christmas, a group of volunteers at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is getting ready for a tradition that has lasted nearly seven decades — tracking Santa Claus as he travels across the globe on Christmas Eve.

The NORAD Tracks Santa program relies on hundreds of volunteers who donate their time each year to help answer questions from families eager to follow Santa’s journey. Those volunteers include uniformed service members, Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and family members who come together to support the annual event.

Preparation for the program begins well before Christmas Eve. Volunteers help manage phone lines, maintain the NORAD Tracks Santa website and mobile app, and ensure systems are ready for the high volume of interest the program receives. Once Christmas Eve arrives, the operation shifts into full gear, with volunteers responding to calls and online inquiries from around the world.

NORAD uses a combination of radar, satellites, and aircraft — similar to the tools it uses in its everyday mission — to follow Santa’s progress. That information is shared with the public through the website, app, and live updates, allowing families to watch as Santa makes his way from place to place.

The operations center, located at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, serves as the hub for the Christmas Eve tracking effort. Volunteers work in shifts throughout the night to keep the information flowing and help bring the experience to life for children and families.

What started decades ago as a simple holiday gesture has grown into a global tradition.

Each year, NORAD volunteers continue the program as a way to spread holiday cheer while showcasing teamwork, technology, and community involvement.