Watch CBS News

NORAD Santa Tracker Officially Goes Live For Christmas Eve

BOSTON (CBS) – Santa has officially taken flight. And he is following COVID safety guidelines.

Families can now tracking Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve journey through the North American Aerospace Defense Command Center (NORAD) in Colorado.

This year like much of the world, Santa's Christmas wardrobe includes a coronavirus mask for protection.

santa
Santa Claus comes complete with a coronavirus mask this year on NORAD's tracker. (Image Credit: NORAD)

This holiday tradition began in 1955. An advertising company in Colorado Springs misprinted the telephone number for children to call Santa, so instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations hotline.

In 1958 CONAD became NORAD, and the tradition has continued ever since.

NORAD's site has been live with games and other activities for several weeks, but now that Christmas Eve has arrived, the Santa tracker has been added.

To track Santa, click here.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.