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Santa Claus and his reindeer have begun their journey around the globe, with billions of stops to make in less than 24 hours.
Father Christmas is currently steering his sleigh through the Pacific, having already delivered hundreds of millions of gifts.
Every Christmas Eve, Norad – the North American Aerospace Defense Command – provides real-time tracking of Santa’s sleigh as it navigates the skies.
The cherished tradition dates back to 1955 when a misprint in a department store advert led a young child to call a Colorado military command center asking to speak to Santa Claus.
Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, who picked up the call that night, played along and assured the child he was Santa. As more calls poured in, he assigned an officer to handle the queries, starting a festive custom that Norad continued after its creation in 1958.
For decades, Norad has swapped its usual airspace monitoring duties to answer children’s questions about Santa’s journey and his astonishing present-delivery operation. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the organisation to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online – in nine languages – as St Nick swoops along the earth’s meridians.
Stay tuned for updates as we follow Santa’s magical route across the world.
Last seen in New Caledonia and heading for Vanuatu
Father Christmas was last seen in New Caledonia.
He is now heading for Vanuatu, where he will be delivering gifts in just a few seconds.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 12:27
Watch Live: Norad tracks Santa’s annual journey delivering presents around the world
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 12:22
And on to Fiji where it is comparatively balmy
Santa and his sleigh is now heading to Fiji.
He will be delivering presents to children in Suva in a few minutes, where it is a comparatively balmy 26C.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 12:19
Next stop Antarctica!
Father Christmas is now on his way to Antarctica.
His first stop there will be McMurdo Station, where it is a chilly -7C.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 12:04
More than 300 million gifts have already been delivered
Santa has been busy, having already delivered more than 300 million gifts to children eagerly awaiting his arrival.
He is currently steering his sleigh through the Pacific, with his next stop being Chatham Island, New Zealand.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 11:53
Father Christmas now heads for New Zealand where it is already Christmas Day
Father Christmas and his sleigh is now headed for New Zealand.
Their first stop there will be Auckland, where it is nearing 1am on Christmas Day.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 11:46
Santa was just spotted in Samoa
Santa Claus was just spotted in Samoa.
He and his reindeer made a stop in Taga, as they have already delivered almost 250 million gifts.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 11:42
Santa leaves Russia for next stop — the Pacific Islands
He will soon make it to Wake Island, US Minor Outlying Islands.
Tara Cobham24 December 2024 11:25
