Norad Santa tracker – live: Follow Father Christmas and his reindeer around the globe
Santa Claus is coming to town – join us on his journey around the world
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Father Christmas is currently flying around the globe to deliver presents to children around the world.
Every year Norad – the North American Aerospace Defense Command – tracks Santa’s journey as he travels the planet in his sleigh.
The tradition began in 1955 when a child mistakenly rang a Colorado military command asking to speak to Father Christmas – after a local newspaper ran an advert by a department store containing a misprinted phone number.
Air Force Commander Harry Shoup, who was manning the phones that Christmas Eve, quickly realised the mistake and assured the child that he was in fact Santa Claus.
As more calls came in that night, Commander Shoup assigned a duty officer to continue answering the phone, birthing a tradition that passed over to Norad when it was formed in 1958.
Every year since, the agency – which ordinarily defends and monitors the skies over North America – has fielded children’s questions about the red-and-white-clad chimney intruder and his unrivalled delivery schedule.
Stick with us as we follow his route around the world.
Santa to land in Tokyo
After a whirlwind tour of Northern Japan, Santa is now heading to the bustling southern capital - Tokyo.
The southern metropolis is home to 13.96 million people, meaning Santa has a lot of presents to drop.
Santa reaches mainland Japan
Santa is fast approaching Sapporo, a city in northeastern Japan.
Due to it’s mountains, Sapporo is a skiing hotspot and is famous for its beer. Drink responsibly Santa!
Santa flying towards Japanese island
Santa is about to touch down in the island of Iwo Jima, Japan.
Known for a very bloody World War II battle, the island’s georgraphy is equally volatile since it is volcanic.
Santa arrives in Asia
Santa and his sleigh are zooming towards East Timor, another beautiful Island nation.
Interestingly, Timor derives from the Indonesian word Timur, which means East, so the full place name means ‘East East’.
Santa still down under
Santa is making his way across Australia and his next stop is Alice Springs.
Alice Springs is a remote town in central Australia, with a desert landscape which is known as the capital of the outback.
Santa stops in Sydney
Mr Claus is now making is way to arguablt the most famous city- in Australia.
Sydney is famous for its opera house, beautiful beaches and idyllic harbour backdrop.
The city is currently coping with flash floods- Rudolph could get very wet.
Santa goes down under
Good day Santa!
The sleigh is flying towards Australia and will touch down in Rockhampton after a quick stop in Queenstown.
Rockhampton lies in eastern Australia in Queensland.
The city is renowned for its good cattle and hosts a beef week every three years. Fingers crossed Santa gets time to stop for a steak.
Santa arrives in Kimbe, Papau New Guinea
Everyone’s favourite delivery man is now heading to Papau New Guinea.
Kimbe is a bustling town and the capital of the province West New Britain.
Due to it’s tropical rainforest environment, Kimbe is prone to heavy rainfall all year round. Let’s hope Santa remembered his umbrella!
Norad’s live tracker back
After some technical issues, Norad’s live tracker is back in business.
Next stop - Papau New Guinea.
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