A friendly reminder from the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces: NORAD is ready to track Santa’s flight
News release
December 22, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces remind you that North American Aerospace Defense Command is ready to track Santa on Dec. 24, for the program’s 68th year. NORAD monitors and defends North American airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. On Dec. 24, NORAD has one additional mission: tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way across the globe, delivering presents to children.
The NORAD Tracks Santa website features Santa’s North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, movie theater, holiday music, web store, and more. The website is available in nine languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, and new this year, Korean.
The official NORAD Tracks Santa app is also in the Apple App and Google Play stores, to count down the remaining days until Santa’s journey on mobile devices. NORAD Tracks Santa will also be available on digital media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, and on contributor platforms, Amazon Alexa, Bing, SiriusXM, and OnStar.
On Dec. 24, trackers worldwide can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask our live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight MST. Also on Dec. 24, website visitors will see Santa’s flight from 4 a.m. to midnight MST.
Quotes
“I called with my brother last year, it was fun to hear about Santa before he came to our house. Other kids should do it too!”
Sophie (9), daughter of currently serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“It’s my favourite thing to do on Christmas Eve!”
Clark (5), son of Department of National Defence employee.
“NORAD defends North America by using complementary, multi-domain defence capabilities, including military aircraft, radars and satellites. These capabilities and assets also enable NORAD to accompany Santa as he travels through Canada and the United States on December 24th. When we encounter Santa, it’s always a friendly occasion—Santa smiles and waves back.”
Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
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NORAD Tracks Santa is a global experience. The Canadian and U.S. personnel of NORAD are proud to continue the tradition of delighting families everywhere.
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NORAD is a United States and Canada bi-national organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. NORAD prevents air attacks against North America, safeguarding the sovereign airspace of the United States and Canada by responding to unknown, unwanted, and unauthorized air activity approaching and operating within these airspace.
Related products
Associated links
- NORAD Website
- NORAD Tracks Santa Website
- NORAD Tracks Santa Imagery on DVIDS (including b-roll and stills)
- NOTE TO MEDIA MEMBERS: To schedule an interview with NORAD, please email: Newsdesk@dvidshub.net
- @NORAD – Facebook
- @NORADSanta – Facebook
- @NORADTracksSanta_Official – Instagram
- @NORADSanta (X) – Twitter
Contacts
Diana Ebadi
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: Diana.Ebadi@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
613-904-3333
mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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