How NORAD Helps to Track Down Santa Every Christmas

On one very special night each year, all eyes are on the sky—especially those at the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Rebecca Garand, public affairs officer for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Public Domain

“Where’s Santa?”

Every Christmas Eve, that question is answered by the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center, where over 1,000 volunteers stand ready to report Santa’s whereabouts. Though most calls come in between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Mountain Time, the phones ring throughout the night as children from all over the world call in to ask for Santa’s location.