NORAD and Google will again run their Santa tracking programs on Christmas Eve 2025. Both services show a simulated journey of Santa Claus across an interactive map and are free to access on web and mobile.
Key Details: Track Santa On Christmas Eve 2025 (Via NORAD & Google)
NORAD and Google each operate separate Santa-themed tracking experiences with live maps and supporting activities. Both focus on real-time map animation, simple navigation, and holiday entertainment for families.
- The NORAD Santa Tracker began in 1955 and continues as an annual program operated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
- NORAD's 2025 tracker shows Santa's simulated route starting near the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean.
- The NORAD map then progresses toward New Zealand, Australia, and the rest of the world over the course of December 24.
- Users can access the NORAD tracker map at the official website (noradsanta.org) without charge.
- NORAD continues to operate a telephone hotline at 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) for location updates from volunteers.
- For 2025, NORAD has introduced an AI chatbot named Radar that provides automated Santa location information on its site.
- Google's Santa Tracker returns for its 21st year in 2025.
- The Google site features games, videos, and educational activities throughout December, including titles such as "Elf Ski" and "Penguin Dash."
- Creative tools such as Santa's Canvas and Code Lab introduce drawing and coding concepts within the Santa-themed environment.
- On December 24, Google's live tracker displays Santa's simulated current location, next destination, distance, and estimated arrival time.
- The Google tracker starts when the earliest time zones reach midnight on Christmas Eve, which corresponds to 10:00 a.m. UTC.
- For each stop, the Google map shows short Wikipedia excerpts and photos for that city or region.
- Information in Google's tracker draws on contributions from Google's Local Guides community across more than 500 locations worldwide.
- Google states that some technologies tested in the Santa Tracker, such as "View in 3D," later appear in other Google products.
Both trackers center on a visual online "Santa tracker" map that updates across Christmas Eve as new stops are reached.
Background Context
NORAD's Santa tracking tradition began after a 1955 Sears newspaper advertisement printed a telephone number for children to call Santa. The number actually reached the Continental Air Defense Command operations center, NORAD's predecessor. Colonel Harry Shoup instructed staff to share radar-based "Santa location" updates with callers, starting the annual project.
When NORAD was formed, it adopted and expanded the Santa tracking program as a public outreach effort. Over time, the project added dedicated websites, mobile access, and social media updates. The organization now combines volunteer call centers with online tools to share the simulated route.
Google launched its Santa Tracker in 2004 as a web-based map showing Santa's journey on Christmas Eve. The project has steadily expanded into a full "North Pole" village with mini-games, animations, and educational content. Google has documented the use of the tracker as a testing ground for new mapping, animation, and web technologies.
Source Citations
The following official resources describe and host the 2025 Santa tracking programs and related background information. All links point to primary sources operated by the respective organizations.
- NORAD Tracks Santa official map and program information: website.
- Google Santa Tracker village, games, and live map: Google's Santa Tracker.
- Google Santa Tracker access link with campaign parameters: website.
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