Father Christmas is preparing to set off on his annual journey around the world to deliver presents to children - and you can track his progress with the NORAD Santa Tracker
08:00, 23 Dec 2025
Christmas Day is just around the corner - and thanks to cutting-edge technology, you'll soon be able to follow Father Christmas as he drops off gifts to children across the globe.
Every single day of the year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) monitors everything soaring through the skies above Canada and the United States. But come Christmas Eve, this command centre takes on an extra-special task of watching Santa's journey around the world, ensuring every last present finds its way under the tree by dawn.
Here's your complete guide to following Santa this year...
How can I use the NORAD Santa tracker?
Kids - and adults too - can watch Santa's sleigh travel across the globe mile-by-mile by heading to the NORAD Santa Tracker website. The Mirror will also be running our own Santa tracker live blog, so be sure to pop back here on Christmas Eve for the latest updates on his magical journey.
When does Father Christmas begin his adventure?
Santa starts his epic voyage from the North Pole, his home alongside Mrs Claus and the hard-working elves who craft toys and look after his reindeer throughout the year.
NORAD explained: "Each year on December 24th, Santa and his reindeer launch from the North Pole very early in the morning for their famous trip around the world. The minute they launch, NORAD starts to track him!" His initial destination will be the Republic of Kiribati, a paradise cluster of islands in the South Pacific. He typically then heads west, dropping off gifts to children across New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Asia, Africa, Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.
How does it monitor him?
NORAD explains it employs a mix of radar and satellites to follow Santa's journey on Christmas Eve. Its formidable radar system is called the North Warning System, featuring 47 installations scattered across Canada's North and Alaska.
The moment radar confirms he's departed the North Pole, specialised defence satellites take over surveillance duties. The organisation's website clarifies: "The moment our radar tells us that Santa has lifted off, we begin to use the same satellites that we use in providing air warning of possible missile launches aimed at North America."
The command centre's website also reveals that fighter aircraft have "intercepted Santa many, many times", explaining: "When the jets intercept Santa, they tip their wings to say, 'Hello Santa. Norad is tracking you again this year'. Santa always waves."
NORAD's Santa monitoring operation started by chance in 1955, when the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) took a call from a youngster attempting to contact Santa who had dialled an incorrect number from a department store advertisement in their local paper. The command centre has run a dedicated Father Christmas tracking mission annually ever since.