The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will continue a tradition older than the command itself Dec. 24, when hundreds of volunteers will gather to track the movements of a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer – or nine, depending on visibility.

The military’s Santa-tracking operations began in 1955 under the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), which was replaced by NORAD three years later. NORAD’s regular duties include keeping watch over North American airspace, but the command’s American and Canadian servicemembers are joined by volunteers every holiday season for a mission skewing a bit younger.

Before Santa packs up for his worldwide deliveries, trackers can visit NoradSanta.org to find daily games, a Santa Tracker countdown, holiday music and videos, plus answers to frequently asked questions about NORAD and about the holiday ride – which seems to put the Jolly Old Elf over most children’s houses between 9 p.m. and midnight on Christmas Eve.

(How? According to NORAD, “the only logical conclusion is that Santa somehow functions within his own space-time continuum.”)

From 2020: NORAD Tracks Santa

The website will showcase Santa’s flight beginning at 4 a.m. Mountain time (6 a.m. Eastern) on Dec. 24. Families can also connect with NORAD by:

• Downloading the official NORAD Tracks Santa app (Android | Apple)
• Calling 1-877-HI-NORAD beginning at 6 a.m. Mountain time (8 a.m. Eastern) to speak with a live operator and learn Santa’s location.
• Enabling the NORAD Tracks Santa skill on Amazon Alexa.
• Following the sleigh via Facebook, Instagram, or X.

Volunteers work throughout Christmas Eve at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., to provide regular updates to callers worldwide. “Virtually all” Santa-tracking costs are covered by corporate sponsors, per NORAD.