Follow Santa’s Global Journey, Thanks to NORAD Santa Tracker

You’ll soon be able to track Santa as he makes his journey around the globe!

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, will begin its 66th year of tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents the night before Christmas.

This year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website features Santa’s North Pole Village, including a holiday countdown, games, music, a gift shop and more.

Families will also be able to track Santa live using the website, social media pages, and a mobile app. Staffers will aslo be working the call center answering calls from 1-877-Hi-NORAD. For families unable to reach a volunteer Christmas Eve, a pre-recorded message featuring Santa’s latest location will play.

NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955, where a local newspaper advertisement offered children the ability to call Santa directly.

However, due to a misprint, the number rang through to the crew commander at NORAD’s predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center.

Col. Harry Shoup quickly realized the mistake, and assured the child he was Santa. Every year since then, a duty officer was assigned to continue answering calls, eventually leading to NORAD tracking Jolly Old St. Nick as he travels around the world on Dec. 24 every year.