How to Track Santa's Trip Around the World on Christmas Eve

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. And thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Google, websites like Santa Update, and a number of holiday-themed apps, you can track his route to your house — or even call or text Mr. Claus directly. Here are some of our favorite ways to see what Kris Kringle is up to on Christmas Eve.

How to Track Santa With Google

Each year, Google hosts a digital Santa's Village experience, complete with a ton of fun interactive games and activities to get kids (and kids at heart) into the holiday spirit.

One fun feature teaches you how to say and spell Santa Claus in a number of different languages, and there's a geography quiz that will test your knowledge of all the countries Santa must visit in one night. Don't miss the interactive map where you can learn about unique holiday traditions around the world, from wearing a toque hat in French Canada to sporting swim trunks in Australia.

On December 24, the entire website will be transformed into a tracking experience so everyone can see Santa's progress as he makes his way around the world with his trusty reindeer.

Those with Google-connected devices can ask the Google Assistant, "Hey Google, what’s new at the North Pole?" and receive fun daily updates from Dimplesticks the Elf. To speak directly to Santa just say, "Hey Google, call Santa” or ask the Google Assistant for a Santa joke to hear his comedy routine. Google's new conversational AI tool, Bard, will also let you keep tabs on Santa's journey when you ask, "Where is Santa?"

How to Track Santa With NORAD

For decades, Santa fans of all ages have called up NORAD's toll-free number, +1 (877) HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723), for live updates on December 24. Nowadays, you can also track Santa's whereabouts with the NORAD Santa Tracker website, through its dedicated app, NORAD Tracks Santa (available in the App Store and on Google Play), or on Facebook, Instagram, and X, formerly known as Twitter.

So, how did NORAD start tracking Santa's journey around the world in the first place? It turns out this popular tradition began in 1955 when a little kid accidentally called the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs. The child, meaning to call Santa, had apparently dialed the wrong number after seeing a misprint in a local newspaper ad.

According to NORAD's website, the Air Force commander who answered, Colonel Harry Shoup, realized what was happening and "assured the youngster that CONAD would guarantee Santa a safe journey from the North Pole." When NORAD was created in 1958, the tradition carried on, with the agency reporting Santa's location on Christmas Eve.

Though roughly 15 million people from more than 200 countries visit the site each year, NORAD's website states that volunteers also answer over 130,000 calls to its NORAD Tracks Santa hotline from curious children worldwide.

More Ways to Track Santa’s Journey

A number of other Santa-tracking apps, such as Santa Tracker and Status Check by First Class Media B.V., Santa Tracker by Dualverse, Inc., and Where is Santa Lite by Super Kiddo Studio, are available via Google Play and the App Store.

Speak to Santa Christmas Call by the North Pole Command Centre Limited (available in the App Store and on Google Play), lets you make video and voice calls to the man himself. The popular app goes the extra mile to make each conversation personalized by letting you provide details about your child, like their favorite colors, sports, and foods as well as what they want for Christmas that year.

In case that isn't enough Santa material for you, there's also the website Santa Update, which has been tracking Santa online since 1991. There, kids can play games, listen to stories, and view a live tracker on Christmas Eve. Little ones can also send an email or text message to Santa, give him a call (at 1-866-84-SANTA year-round), and send him their Christmas wish list. Another fun feature lets kids apply to be a Christmas Elf, which involves studying the Elf Code, taking an oath, and deciding on a secret name.