Norad Santa tracker 2025 live: Follow Father Christmas as he delivers presents around the world

Key Points

• Santa is travelling over the Pacific Ocean on his final stretch
• Has Santa arrived in the UK yet?
• Where’s Santa? The true story behind NORAD’S 70-year tracking tradition
• Photos of Christmas celebrations around the world
• Canadian police 'spot' Santa in Alberta

Trump asks kids what they want for Christmas

US President Donald Trump took calls from children around the globe at the annual Santa tracker event on Christmas Eve.

When one of the kids said they wanted a Kindle from Santa, Trump said “Oh wow, you must be a high IQ person. We need more high IQ people in the country. We definitely need more high IQ.”

Where’s Santa? The true story behind NORAD’S 70-year tracking tradition

The magic of Christmas Eve often brings a unique question for children and adults alike: Where is Santa?

For 70 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has provided the answer, transforming its Cold War-era mission of monitoring skies for threats into a beloved tradition of tracking St Nick's global journey.

Millions now check up on the jolly figure said to deliver presents around the world.

This Christmas Eve, over 1,000 dedicated volunteers will staff the 1-877-HI-NORAD hotline from 4am to midnight Mountain Standard Time, ready to field calls from eager Santa-seekers.

Read more as reporter Colleen Slevin explains the origins of this tracking tradition:

Where’s Santa? The true story behind NORAD’S 70-year tracking tradition

Pope in photos as Christmas celebrated in the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV presides over his first Christmas Day Mass at the St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

The first US-born pope was elected in may by the world’s cardinals during a conclave and succeeded the late Pope Francis.

Here are some photos of his first Christmas as the Pope:

Santa is travelling over the Pacific Ocean on his final stretch

The NORAD’s advanced air base tracking aircraft has confirmed that Santa is travelling south from Alaska over the Pacific ocean, marking the final stretch of his Christmas Eve journey.

Tracking crews remain watching as Santa heads home using the E-3 Sentry aircraft which is an airborne warning and control system.

This device is able to detect Santa “despite the fact that he flies faster than starlight” and is able to provide an accurate, real time image of the area.

Santa nears the final few stops of his Christmas Eve journey

Santa nears the final few stops of his Christmas Eve journey and has been spotted flying over snow-covered landscapes in Anchorage, Alaska.

The NORAD has confirmed there are no major travel disruptions and his "sleigh is moving right on schedule".

The Alaska NORAS Region Commander has reported that Santa was spotted over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the US.

It shared that “Anchorage is Alaska’s most populous city and contains more than 40 per cent of the state’s total population. That will surely make for one busy stop for Santa, but we know he is up to the task.”

The organisation added: “With sometimes less than six hours of sunlight per day in the winter, Anchorage also boasts the most espresso coffee stands per capita than anywhere in the US.”

Elon Musk shares Grok's version of Santa's Christmas run

Elon Musk also joined the festive fun by sharing a visualisation created by Grok, the AI chatbot developed by his company xAI, showing Santa Claus racing across the sky in his sleigh.

The post highlighted how Grok, known for generating real-time visuals and explanations on X, has become part of the Christmas Eve spectacle.

Grok Imagine prompt:

Santa in his sleigh pulled by reindeer fly over the mountain pic.twitter.com/D8DRUKaPkQ

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 25, 2025

Christmas festivities begin in full swing across the world

‘God bless us, every one!’ The five best film versions of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Aas any story outside the Bible been adapted and performed more times than A Christmas Carol? The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the four ghosts who set out to change his miserly ways has been reworked and reimagined hundreds of times in the past 180 years.

There have been stage productions, radio shows, films, musicals, television adaptations and animated specials, with everyone from Jim Carrey and Ryan Reynolds to Daffy Duck and Barbie giving us their own takes on Scrooge.

When Charles Dickens first published his original novella a few days before Christmas in 1843, it was an immediate hit. Within weeks it was being performed on stage at London’s Surrey Theatre, and by 1853 even Dickens himself was getting in on the act. The book was the subject of the author’s first ever public reading, delivered to a rapturous reception at Birmingham Town Hall.

The five best film versions of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Canadian police 'spot' Santa in Alberta

Christmas Eve excitement reached new heights in Canada after the Edmonton police reported a live Santa sighting over the city.

In a festive post on social media, the police said their AIR1 helicopter crew had “eyes on Santa’s sleigh” flying over Edmonton, adding that officers were keeping the skies clear so Father Christmas could deliver gifts without interruption.

“From all of us at the Edmonton Police Service, Merry Christmas!” the post read.

The light-hearted update quickly drew thousands of views and reactions online, with users responding in the Christmas spirit – some cheering Santa on, others joking about time zones and the Norad tracker showing him elsewhere.

LIVE: Santa Spotted

This is no drill…AIR1 just reported they’ve got eyes on Santa’s sleigh flying over Edmonton! The crew is making sure the skies stay clear so the big guy can deliver those gifts.

From all of us at the Edmonton Police Service, Merry Christmas! pic.twitter.com/lFWFcfDeeL

— Edmonton Police (@edmontonpolice) December 25, 2025

Nasa spots Christmas tree-shaped star cluster

It’s official name is NGC 2264, but the Christmas Tree Cluster wouldn’t be a bad one either.

Nasa, scanning the skies above Santa’s ongoing flight, spotted a cluster of young stars surrounded by swirls of gas. Together, they resemble a giant Christmas tree.

And, it’s only 2,500 light-years away, so I’m sure Santa will deliver presents there too in no time.

O Christmas tree, o cosmic tree 🎄

Located about 2,500 light-years from Earth, NGC 2264 is a cluster of young stars between one and five million years old. The stars appear as blue and white lights surrounded by swirls of gas—the “pine needles” of the tree—with green… pic.twitter.com/BWa24VLCHP

— NASA Ames (@NASAAmes) December 24, 2025

Trump posts AI-generated Santa video warning immigrants to self-deport

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released an AI-generated Christmas advert, showing Santa Claus working as an ICE agent.

The video, in which an imposing Father Christmas is seen wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying weapons, urges undocumented immigrants to leave the country voluntarily.

The figure, depicted wearing Santa’s traditional red suit and with a white beard, appears with an ICE logo across his chest.

Santa rounds up migrants for ICE in Trump administration’s Christmas-themed AI video

Santa arrives in California

Santa has been just spotted flying over San Francisco, lighting up the Bay Area as he continues his journey along the West Coast.

“The sleigh flew by the Golden Gate bridge,” it said.

On Christmas eve Santa is shown delivering gifts all around the world, moving west with the time zones. By the time the night is over, he’s covered almost every region.

VIDEO: Fighter jets escort Santa through Canada

Earlier tonight, Santa added a few new creatures to guide his sleigh.

No, it’s not Rudolph’s brother.

A pair of CF-18 Hornets guided Santa through Canadian airspace this evening.

The pilots traded tips on aerodynamics and good podcasts to listen to on long flights.

✈️Santa Cam: Canadian Air Force Escort

NORAD confirms Santa’s sleigh is being escorted by CF-18 fighter jets as he approaches St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada!

🌐 Follow his journey at https://t.co/gSvRD6f7zW#NORADTracksSanta #SantaCam #AirEscort pic.twitter.com/bpcoulL0j5

— NORAD Tracks Santa (@NoradSanta) December 25, 2025

Where’s Santa? The true story behind NORAD’S 70-year tracking tradition

The magic of Christmas Eve often brings a unique question for children and adults alike: Where is Santa?

For 70 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has provided the answer, transforming its Cold War-era mission of monitoring skies for threats into a beloved tradition of tracking St Nick's global journey.

Millions now check up on the jolly figure said to deliver presents around the world.

This Christmas Eve, over 1,000 dedicated volunteers will staff the 1-877-HI-NORAD hotline from 4am to midnight Mountain Standard Time, ready to field calls from eager Santa-seekers.

Where’s Santa? The true story behind NORAD’S 70-year tracking tradition

Father Christmas smashes the 7-billion gift mark

He’s been busier than ever this Christmas Eve. Father Christmas has now delivered an astonishing 7,143,786,023 gifts, racing well past the six-billion milestone.

He may technically work just one night a year – but judging by those numbers, Father Christmas clearly puts in enough effort to cover the other 364 days too.

White Christmas unlikely in UK as Father Christmas greeted with chilly weather

Father Christmas was greeted with chilly weather in the UK.

Forecasters are warning that Christmas Day will arrive with cold, windy conditions rather than be a white Christmas.

The UK Health Security Agency issued a yellow cold health alert from 6pm on Thursday until noon on 27 December for southwest England, citing risks to vulnerable people and increased pressure on health and social care services.

Meanwhile, the Met Office put out a yellow wind warning covering a similar area and much of Wales, lasting until 11.59pm on Christmas Day.

While Santa managed smooth skies on Christmas Eve, conditions on the ground could be blustery.

The Met Office says east to north-easterly winds will strengthen through Christmas Day, with gusts of 45-55mph widely and up to 65mph along exposed coasts and hills, raising the risk of transport disruption, power outages, and large coastal waves.

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said Christmas Day would bring a bright start in southern England and Wales, with cloud breaking further north by lunchtime – but warned that the wind would be a key factor, especially along the south coast.

High pressure will keep conditions settled but cooler than recent days.

Those hoping Santa might bring snow will be disappointed. Forecasters say a white Christmas is highly unlikely, with only a slim chance of rain clipping the South West and very low odds of snow.

Daytime highs are expected to reach around 7C in northeast England and 6C in southern and southeast England.

Santa is now at Peterson Space Force Base

Santa and his nine reindeers have been spotted flying over Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, with Norad confirming his sleigh is right on track as Christmas Eve deliveries continue.

The festive fly-past comes straight from the heart of Norad’s operations, where Santa’s global journey is monitored year after year.

Peterson Space Force Base is a major US military installation in Colorado Springs and the home of Norad and US Northern Command, responsible for monitoring air and space activity to protect North America.

Even on Christmas Eve, it doubles as mission control for Santa’s sleigh.

Has Santa arrived in the UK? Tracker confirms sleigh sightings

Santa has officially arrived in the UK, with Norad confirming sightings of his sleigh flying over Big Ben in London as gifts were delivered across the country.

The Santa came arrived in the UK at 12.36am local time.

The Santa tracker shows Father Christmas spreading festive cheer from Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle to Brighton, Glasgow, and everywhere in between.

From big cities to small villages, it’s been a full-on delivery frenzy across the UK.

With almost seven billion presents already delivered worldwide, Santa’s 24-hour journey is well underway.

Giant sand Santa on Indian beach spreads Christmas cheer

On Christmas Eve in India’s Puri, a sand artist wowed the crowds by creating a 60ft Santa Claus sculpture on the Niladri beach in Odisha, using sand and 1.5 tonnes of apples.

The festive masterpiece carried heartfelt messages of “World Peace” and “Merry Christmas”, as acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik aimed to set a world record during the Puri Sand Art Festival.

Puri, Odisha: On Christmas Eve in Puri, Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik created a 60-foot Santa Claus sculpture using sand and 1.5 tons of apples at Niladri Beach, conveying messages of 'World Peace' and 'Merry Christmas,' while attempting a world record during the Puri Sand… pic.twitter.com/uSwPKyrpZF

— IANS (@ians_india) December 24, 2025

Now over Houston

Santa is currently flying over Houston, lighting up the skies above Space City with Christmas cheer.

The countdown continues as he races from city to city, keeping the magic alive this Christmas Eve.

Santa pings FAA radar

The Federal Aviation Administration said “we are keeping the skies safe for passengers and Santa”.

Norad isn’t the only agency tracking Santa’s journey across the skies this evening.

The FAA is also monitoring St. Nick’s flight.

Photos of Christmas celebrations around the world

From Bethlehem to Beijing, people around the world are celebrating the Christmas season.

A polar bear mascot boards an elevator during holiday revelry.

Swimmers plunge into frigid waters off Northern Ireland for a charity event. Singers fill a stadium in Indonesia.

Photographers have captured diverse, mesmerizing images such as these as they chronicle a holiday period abounding in joy, reverence and dazzling lights.

Santa reaches Chicago

Santa has been spotted flying over Chicago, Illinois, spreading festive cheer across the Windy City.

Norad confirms his sleigh is right on schedule as he continues westward across the Midwest.

From rooftops to riverfronts, Chicagoans are in for a magical Christmas Eve as Santa keeps his global journey on track.

Keep watching as he’s making stops across the heart of America!

Photos show Norad's team tracking Santa's sleigh

Norad said they have received more than 64,000 calls from families around the world tracking Santa’s journey tonight.

According to its website, Norad detects Santa's liftoff with its polar radar network, then follows his journey with the same satellites used to warn of any possible missile launches aimed at North America.

As soon as Santa's lead reindeer, Rudolph, switches on his shiny red nose, military personnel can zero in on his location using the satellites' infrared sensors.

Santa’s sleigh ride continues in NOLA

After delighting astronauts on the International Space Station, Santa has now been spotted soaring over New Orleans, Louisiana, spreading festive cheer across the Big Easy!

Norad confirms his sleigh is right on schedule as he continues his journey across the southern United States.

Santa makes special visit to the space station

Santa and his reindeers made a visit to International Space Station Santa spreading holiday cheer to astronauts orbiting Earth!

More than 6 billion gifts have been delivered, according to the Norad tracker, and Santa is taking a leisurely fly to celebrate.

🎥Santa Cam: International Space Station

Santa has made a special visit to the International Space Station, spreading holiday cheer to astronauts orbiting Earth!

🌐 Follow his journey at https://t.co/gSvRD6ezKo#NORADTracksSanta #SantaCam #ISS pic.twitter.com/iEnF4XpI9H

— NORAD Tracks Santa (@NoradSanta) December 25, 2025

ICYMI: Rome says 'Buon Natale' to Santa

🎥 Santa Cam: Rome, Italy

Santa has arrived in Rome, flying past the Colosseum!

NORAD confirms his sleigh is delivering holiday cheer across Italy.

🌐 Follow his journey at https://t.co/gSvRD6ezKo#NORADTracksSanta #SantaCam #Rome pic.twitter.com/LvIcGrI5SM

— NORAD Tracks Santa (@NoradSanta) December 24, 2025

ICYMI: Taiwanese defence ministry says 'it maintained full control' as Santa zipped past

Taiwanese defence ministry said Santa Claus flew over Taiwan, passing Taipei at 10.41pm local time.

During this time, Taiwan’s armed forced “maintained full control of the surrounding sea and airspace, ensuring normal conditions throughout”, the ministry said.

So far, he’s checked his list and delivered gifts to parts of the US, Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

In depth: the Cape Cod-based radar system following Santa

A radar system with a strange acronym is helping NORAD follow Santa.

That would be Space Force’s PAVE Phased Array Warning System (PAWS) radar at Cape Cod.

NORAD released this video to explain how it works.

🎥Santa Cam: Cape Cod

Santa has been spotted flying over Cape Cod, heading across the Atlantic! NORAD confirms his sleigh is on schedule.

🌐 Track Santa live at https://t.co/gSvRD6ezKo#NORADTracksSanta #SantaCam #CapeCod pic.twitter.com/ythISocNeP

— NORAD Tracks Santa (@NoradSanta) December 25, 2025

Santa has now crossed into Canada

Santa has been spotted soaring over Toronto, spreading festive cheer across Canada’s largest city.

Chilly temperatures greeted Santa in Canada.

Even Santa’s big white beard may not have been enough to ward off the cold at a recent stop, Clyde River, Canada, where the local temperature is -15°F.

VIDEO: Fighter jets escort Santa through Canada

Santa’s got a few new creatures guiding his sleigh tonight.

No, it’s not Rudolph’s brother.

A pair of CF-18 Hornets guided Santa through Canadian airspace this evening.

The pilots traded tips on aerodynamics and good podcasts to listen to on long flights.

✈️Santa Cam: Canadian Air Force Escort

NORAD confirms Santa’s sleigh is being escorted by CF-18 fighter jets as he approaches St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada!

🌐 Follow his journey at https://t.co/gSvRD6f7zW#NORADTracksSanta #SantaCam #AirEscort pic.twitter.com/bpcoulL0j5

— NORAD Tracks Santa (@NoradSanta) December 25, 2025

Trump talks to children in Christmas Eve tradition

US president Donald Trump joined the Norad Christmas Eve tradition as the military command marked 70 years of tracking Santa Claus around the world.

Trump, along with first lady Melania Trump, was seen taking calls from children eager for updates on Santa’s location as volunteers worked phones and screens at Norad’s operations centre.

Trump peppered the festive presidential phone call with his political jibes.

"We want to make sure that Santa is being good. Santa's a very good person," he said while speaking to kids aged 4 and 10 in Oklahoma.

"We want to make sure that he's not infiltrated, that we're not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa."Trump was in a jovial mood.

He even said at one point that he "could do this all day long" but likely would have to get back to more pressing matters like efforts to end the fighting in Russia's war with Ukraine.

When an 8-year-old from North Carolina asked if Santa would be mad if no one leaves cookies out for him, Trump said he didn't think so.

"But I think he'll be very disappointed," he said.

"You know, Santa's — he tends to be a little bit on the cherubic side. You know what cherubic means? A little on the heavy side. I think Santa would like some cookies."

Sleigh spotted over Washington, DC

Santa has been spotted flying over Washington, DC, sprinkling holiday cheer across the nation’s capital.

From the White House to the Washington Monument, Norad confirms his sleigh is right on schedule as he continues his festive dash across North America.

Santa pings FAA radar

NORAD isn’t the only agency tracking Santa’s journey across the skies this evening.

The Federal Aviation Administration is also monitoring St. Nick’s flight.

Here at the FAA, we are keeping the skies safe for passengers and Santa. We wish you a Merry Christmas! 🎄✈️ pic.twitter.com/tYAJBNB3e9

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) December 24, 2025

Santa crosses Cape Cod en route across the Atlantic

Santa gave Cape Cod a quick fly-past on Christmas Eve, with Norad’s Santa Cam spotting the reindeer-powered sleigh as it headed east across the Atlantic.

Officials say the world’s most closely watched gift run is right on schedule, with Santa cruising smoothly towards his next stops.

Norad said it continues to track Santa’s journey using radar and satellites, noting that while his exact route is known only to Santa himself, deliveries so far appear to be progressing smoothly.

Santa’s global gift run continues under NORAD tracking

Santa Claus continued his global gift run on Christmas Eve, flying his reindeer-powered sleigh from rooftop to rooftop as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) tracked his progress for the 70th year.

Norad said it began monitoring Santa’s departure from the North Pole using its polar radar network before following his journey with satellites and infrared sensors – technology normally used to detect missile launches.

The military command, which does not require Santa to file a flight plan, said it cannot predict his precise route or arrival times.

“Norad tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route,” a senior official said.

The Santa-tracking tradition dates back to 1955, when a misprinted newspaper advertisement directed children’s calls to a military command centre, prompting an officer to reassure them that Santa was airborne and on schedule.

Norad has since made the annual tracking exercise a Christmas Eve ritual, issuing updates and images of Santa’s worldwide journey alongside its core role of monitoring airspace over North America.

Trump's Christmas call is light on cheer and heavy on politics

Ah, Christmas: a time of peace, joy, goodwill to all men, and falsely insisting for the umpteenth time that you won the 2020 presidential election.

That is according to President Donald Trump, who could not resist peppering his festive presidential phone calls with children and service members on Christmas Eve with his trademark partisan score-settling.

"Pennsylvania’s great. We won Pennsylvania, actually, three times," the president wrongly claimed while chatting with a five-year-old boy calling from the Keystone State to check on Santa’s location according to NORAD. (Fact check: Trump lost Pennsylvania in 2020.)

"Oklahoma was very good to me in the election. So I love Oklahoma," he told a four-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy in Sapulpa.

"The country is doing well! We saved our country," he insisted on a call with a family living near Tacoma in Washington state.

Io Dodds has the story.

Trump uses Christmas Eve calls with children asking about Santa to beat partisan drum

NASA spots Christmas tree-shaped star cluster

It’s official name is NGC 2264, but the Christmas Tree Cluster wouldn’t be a bad one either.

NASA, scanning the skies above Santa’s ongoing flight, spotted a cluster of young stars surrounded by swirls of gas. Together, they resemble a giant Christmas tree.

And, it’s only 2,500 light-years away, so I’m sure Santa will deliver presents there too in no time.

O Christmas tree, o cosmic tree 🎄

Located about 2,500 light-years from Earth, NGC 2264 is a cluster of young stars between one and five million years old. The stars appear as blue and white lights surrounded by swirls of gas—the “pine needles” of the tree—with green… pic.twitter.com/BWa24VLCHP

— NASA Ames (@NASAAmes) December 24, 2025

Cops in the Big Apple are tracking Santa's big night

The NYPD’s Joint Operations Center is aiding in the worldwide effort to track Santa’s flight on Christmas Eve.

“While Santa Claus delivers joy around the world, our cops are ready to keep the city safe this holiday season,” the NYPD wrote on X.

Our officers in the Joint Operations Center are keeping a close eye on Santa's journey, thanks to help from the @NoradSanta tracker.

While Santa Claus delivers joy around the world, our cops are ready to keep the city safe this holiday season. pic.twitter.com/qEK6STgtMN

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 25, 2025

Canadian transit minister clears Santa's flight

Santa is currently in Canadian airspace.

Thankfully, officials there have already cleared the big man for flight.

Earlier in the day, Canadian transit minister Steven MacKinnon released this video certifying Santa was good to go.

✔ Sleigh inspected
✔ Reindeer equipment secured
✔ Flight plan approved

Santa’s list wasn’t the only one checked twice. The Minister of Transport has cleared Santa for travel just in time for #Christmas.🎅

Happy Holidays!🎄https://t.co/hZLKf1FFSE pic.twitter.com/TWagWPRYjB

— Transport Canada (@Transport_gc) December 24, 2025

Chilly temps greeted Santa in Canada

Brrrrrrr.

Even Santa’s big white beard may not have been enough to ward off the cold at a recent stop, Clyde River, Canada, where the local temperature is -15°F.

PHOTOS: How NORAD tracks Santa's sleigh

📷 NORAD Tracks Santa Call Center Update

We’ve now received more than 64,000 calls from families around the world tracking Santa’s journey tonight.

Thank you to our volunteers who are answering phones and helping keep this holiday tradition going strong.

📷 Track Santa live at… pic.twitter.com/wpKRXNS9Gm

— NORAD Tracks Santa (@NoradSanta) December 24, 2025

More than 5.2 billion presents delivered, driving healthy U.S. GDP growth

As Santa remains in Greenlandic airspace, his toll of delivered presents keeps rising and has now crossed 5.2 billion.

Even the North Pole workshop may need to buy some extra inventory, and this whopping gift haul may be one of the recent drivers of U.S. GDP growth.

US economy grew 4.3% in third quarter but inflation remains high