TL;DR
NORAD is observing the 70th anniversary of its Santa-tracking tradition that began after a 1955 newspaper ad listed the wrong phone number. The air-defense command uses its routine aerospace sensors, pilots and a large volunteer force to answer public enquiries and display a live tracker on Christmas Eve.
What happened
The seasonal NORAD Santa-tracking operation reaches its 70th year, a practice that began in 1955 when a Sears ad mistakenly printed a phone number that routed calls to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), the organization now known as NORAD. The anecdote credits Colonel Harry Shoup with instructing staff to play along, using radar to tell children where Santa was. NORAD now stages an annual operation combining its normal aerospace surveillance tools — ground radar, infrared satellites and fighter aircraft — with more than 1,000 volunteers from military and civilian communities to take calls. Last year the effort handled over 380,000 calls. NORAD says it does not receive Santa’s route in advance but typically observes a westward departure from the North Pole early on Christmas Eve and deliveries occurring between about 9 p.m. and midnight local time. The command operates a phone line and a Santa Tracker web page that hosts a visual tracker on Christmas Eve.
Why it matters
- A long-running public-engagement program links military surveillance capabilities with community outreach and holiday tradition.
- The operation highlights how defense sensors and personnel can be used for non-operational public services without diverting core missions.
- Volunteer involvement demonstrates local military and civilian cooperation in running large-scale, time-sensitive contact centers.
- Tracking data and public guidance (timing of visits) shape public expectations about when Santa will arrive in different time zones.
Key facts
- The tradition started in 1955 after a newspaper advertisement printed an incorrect phone number that routed calls to CONAD/NORAD.
- Colonel Harry Shoup is credited with instructing staff to check radar and play along with callers that first night.
- NORAD says it uses a network of ground-based radars (North Warning System), infrared sensors on high-altitude satellites, and fighter jets when tracking Santa.
- Aircraft types NORAD lists as part of its forces include U.S. F-16s, F-15s, F-22s and F-35s and Canadian CF-18s.
- NORAD handles aerospace warning and control for the United States and Canada, including detection of unknown objects, missiles and aircraft.
- More than 1,000 volunteers from NORAD, U.S. Northern Command, families and local communities staff the seasonal phone center.
- The Santa-tracking phone line is open from 4:00 AM Mountain Time until midnight on Christmas Eve at +1-877-446-6723.
- NORAD says it does not have advance knowledge of Santa’s planned route but typically notes a westward start from the North Pole and deliveries between about 9:00 PM and midnight local time.
- Last year the Santa-tracking effort received over 380,000 calls.
What to watch next
- NORAD will host a visual Santa tracker on its Santa Tracker website when Santa lifts off on Christmas Eve morning for the 70th year.
- Volunteer opportunities for the Santa-tracking call center are limited to personnel local to Peterson Space Force Base.
- Whether NORAD will expand remote or off-base volunteer participation in future years is not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- NORAD: North American Aerospace Defense Command — a binational organization responsible for aerospace warning, air sovereignty and protection of North America.
- CONAD: Continental Air Defense Command — the predecessor organization to NORAD; referenced in the origin story of the Santa-tracking tradition.
- North Warning System: A network of ground-based radars used for monitoring aerospace activity across northern regions.
- Infrared satellite sensors: Space-based sensors that detect heat signatures from high altitude to support tracking and surveillance.
- OPSEC: Operations security — practices that protect sensitive information about operations, personnel or equipment.
Reader FAQ
When did NORAD start tracking Santa?
The tradition began in 1955 after a newspaper ad misprinted a phone number that routed calls to the then-CONAD headquarters.
How does NORAD track Santa?
NORAD says it uses ground radar, infrared sensors on satellites and fighter aircraft to track Santa during the operation.
Can anyone volunteer to answer calls?
Volunteering for the call center is limited to people local to Peterson Space Force Base, according to NORAD.
Does NORAD know Santa’s route in advance?
NORAD says it does not receive advance knowledge of Santa’s planned route.
How can the public check Santa’s location?
People can call +1-877-446-6723 between 4:00 AM Mountain Time and midnight on Christmas Eve or use NORAD’s Santa Tracker website.
OFFBEAT 11 North American air defense troops ready for 70th year of Santa tracking A newspaper misprint began a Christmas Eve tradition joining holiday cheer with military technology Brandon Vigliarolo…
Sources
- North American air defense troops ready for 70th year of Santa tracking
- How a newspaper misprint turned into NORAD's Santa …
- NORAD celebrates 70 years of tracking Santa
- WATCH: NORAD continues decades-long tradition of …
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