HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. – It’s one of the most enduring holiday traditions: the North American Aerospace Defense Command, better known as NORAD, is tracking Santa Claus’ annual Christmas Eve flight around the globe, and families in Habersham County can follow along in real time.
NORAD’s Santa tracker is live throughout Christmas Eve at noradsanta.org, including an interactive map that updates as Santa travels from the North Pole to destinations around the world. Families can also track Santa by calling 1-877-HI-NORAD, where volunteers answer phones and share updates on Santa’s progress.
NORAD has tracked Santa for 70 years, a tradition that dates back to 1955 after a child accidentally dialed a military operations number looking for Santa. What began as a one-time moment has since become a worldwide holiday event staffed by volunteers at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.
How the Tracking Works
NORAD’s Santa Tracker goes live early on Christmas Eve and follows Santa’s sleigh as it moves across continents and time zones. According to NORAD, radar systems, satellites and other tracking technologies are used to monitor Santa’s flight and update the public as he delivers gifts around the world.
Visitors to noradsanta.org can watch Santa’s location change in real time, learn about his route and see when he is approaching different parts of the globe, including the United States.
When Santa Might Be Over Habersham County
NORAD officials say they cannot predict Santa’s exact route or the precise time he will pass over individual cities or neighborhoods. Santa determines his own flight path once he departs the North Pole.
Based on typical tracking patterns and time zones, Santa usually reaches the United States between about 9 p.m. and midnight Eastern Time on Christmas Eve. That means families in Habersham County can expect to see Santa nearing Georgia later in the evening as he moves west to east across the country.
The NORAD tracker updates frequently, allowing families to follow Santa’s progress and watch as he gets closer to Georgia throughout the night.
How to Follow Along Tonight
Families in Habersham County can track Santa in several ways:
• Visit noradsanta.org and use the interactive map to see Santa’s current location.
• Call 1-877-HI-NORAD to speak with a volunteer and get live updates on Santa’s flight.
• Download the NORAD Tracks Santa app on a mobile device for on-the-go tracking.
Whether children are staying up late or parents are checking just before bedtime, NORAD’s Santa Tracker offers a festive way to connect global holiday tradition with Christmas Eve at home in Habersham County.
