Supplied Photo

It’s that time of year again! On December 24, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will take on a very special mission: tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents to children around the world – and this year marks the 70th anniversary of the beloved tradition.

NORAD is always on duty, monitoring and defending North American airspace 24/7, 365 days a year. But on Christmas Eve, their radar has an extra festive focus: Santa and his sleigh. Families and kids can follow along as Santa travels from the North Pole across the globe.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website (www.noradsanta.org) launched on December 1 and is packed with holiday fun. Visitors can explore Santa’s North Pole Village, complete with a countdown to Christmas, games, movies, festive music, and even a web store. The website is available in nine languages, including English and French, so families worldwide can join in.

NORAD also offers a free app for Apple and Android devices, plus digital updates on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. This year, children can even track Santa using Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, or OnStar.

On Christmas Eve, kids everywhere – including right here at CFB Cold Lake – can call 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) to speak with live operators tracking Santa from 4 a.m. to midnight MST. For those who can’t call, a web-based option on noradsanta.org allows kids to connect directly from a computer or mobile device. With support for over 200 languages, there’s a way for everyone to join the fun.

Even after the operators log off, families can continue following Santa’s journey until 3 a.m. MST using the Interactive Voice Response system or the NORAD website.

NORAD Tracks Santa has become a global holiday tradition, and the Canadian and U.S. personnel behind it are proud to keep delighting families – and bringing a little extra magic to CFB Cold Lake and beyond – every Christmas Eve.