NORAD Tracks Santa Newsroom

About Us

NORAD/USNORTHCOM PA

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a United States and Canada bi-national organization charged with the mission of aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning in the defense of North America.

24 hours a day, 365 days a year, NORAD tracks everything that flies in and around North America in defense of our homelands. On Dec. 24, we have the very special mission of also tracking Santa

Millions of people around the world track Santa with NORAD via our website, social media, mobile apps and calls to our NTS Operations Center on Dec. 24. All of this is made possible by the amazing generosity of our volunteers and our government and corporate partners who help bring NTS to the world for free.

Address

250 Vandenberg, Ste. B-016
Peterson Space Force Base, CO  80914-3808
United States
719-554-6889

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Our Team

NORAD Public Affairs

Public Affairs : Media Contact

How We Started

  • Perserved for More Than 60 Years September 24, 2020

    Thanks to the services and resources generously provided by numerous corporate contributors and volunteers, NORAD Tracks Santa has persevered for more than 60 years.

    Though the program began due to a misdialed number, NORAD Tracks Santa has flourished and is recognized as one of the Department of Defense's largest community outreach programs.

    Each year, the NORAD Tracks Santa Web Site receives nearly fifteen million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers receive more than 130,000 calls to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline from children around the globe.

    This year, children and the young-at-heart are able to track Santa through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

  • Tradition was Born September 24, 1958

    Thus a tradition was born that rolled over to NORAD when it was formed in 1958. Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa's location on Dec. 24 to millions across the globe.

  • Young Child Dials Wrong Number September 24, 1955

    NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 when a young child accidently dialed the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, believing she was calling Santa Claus after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper.

    Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night, was quick to realize a mistake had been made, and assured the youngster that CONAD would guarantee Santa a safe journey from the North Pole. (Full story)