Seasonal & Holidays

Santa Tracker: St. Nick Heading Toward Illinois

VIDEO: For 60 years, NORAD's eyes in the sky have tracked the Dec. 24 flight of Santa Claus and his eight tiny reindeer.


NORAD has helped generations of children track the progress of Santa from the North Pole to North America, being careful to be in bed before he reaches their rooftop. In fact, this is the 60th year that our military has used volunteers to report on his progress.

The NORAD Santa website is a feast for children - with Christmas music played by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band, a Santa Tracker Countdown, games (a new one is unveiled daily, like an advent calendar) and more.

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Now in this age of apps, keeping an eye on Santa is a one-touch effort from your smart phone.

With the app, children can play games or listen to Christmas music while Mom and Dad run errands. And on Christmas Eve, they won’t miss a minute of Santa’s journey as you visit relatives.

Log on to the NORAD Santa Tracker website and watch Saint Nick get ready for the big trip, rand the Santa-curious may speak with live operators who will dish on the big guy’s coordinates: 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723).

Parents who want to help their kids track Santa – and know when to go to bed – just need to visit the tracker site online.

Download the App

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