How to use the NORAD Santa tracker –  as millions of UK kids are set to use their phones, apps or Ring doorbells to follow Father Christmas this Xmas Eve

As far back as we can remember, the magic of the holiday season has over the years kept kids waiting all night on December 24, eager to catch a glimpse of the big man himself.

Waiting in deep anticipation to see Father Christmas drop the presents under the tree is a cherished part of the holidays for children around the world.

However, recently, Santa Claus has made it easier to know where he is by going digital – where little ones can follow a sleigh pulled by his reindeer as it makes its way across the world.

This year, more than half of Britain's young children, aged eight or under, will check their progress on Christmas Eve online.

New survey commissioned by Vodafone It found that 58% of parents with children who believe in Father Christmas plan to monitor his location using phones and other devices.

Little ones will watch him go from country to country using a website or app to track Santa, and hopefully catch a glimpse of him on a Ring doorbell feed (with a little help from parents) or by receiving a video message from Santa himself.

Millions of enthusiastic young people will follow the bearded donor's journey using sites like NORAD tracker.

The average age at which young children stop believing in Santa is eight, and it is thought there are around 7 million children under the age of eight in the UK, who will watch the event with hope and excitement.

What is a NORAD Santa tracker?

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks the bearded man's flight every year.

NORAD is a joint US-Canadian organization that defends the continent from potential airborne threats 365 days a year.

Their predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), began tracking Santa Fe in 1955.

NORAD replaced CONAD in 1958 and took over the task of tracking Santa's journey around the world, and has done so every year since.

For twenty-four hours every day, NORAD tracks planes, rockets, space launches and anything else flying in or around the North American continent.

On Christmas Eve, they take on the momentous task of following Saint Nicholas on behalf of everyone lying in bed waiting.

Their website states: “While the tradition of tracking Santa began purely by accident, NORAD continues to track Santa.”

“We are the only organization with the technology, qualifications and people to do this. And we love it! NORAD is honored to be Santa's official tracker.”

It also reveals the following: “Based on flight profile data collected from NORAD radar and satellite tracking, NORAD has concluded that Santa is probably about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 260 pounds (before cookies).”

“Based on photos of fighter planes, we know he had a large girth (potato), rosy cheeks from cold-weather sled riding, and a flowing white beard.”

How does the NORAD Santa tracker work?

More than 1,250 NORAD personnel join the Santa Tracker effort each year, answering phone calls and emails about Santa's progress.

The entire process is run by simulation software created by AGI/Ansys.

Ansys simulation software is used to ensure NORAD can safely track Santa as he travels around the world, said Adam Gorski, an aerospace engineer at Ansys Government Initiatives. Space.com website.

Ansys simulations ensure that NORAD satellites can detect the heat emanating from Rudolph's nose, and radars can track Santa's sleigh high in the sky.

“Our simulations are also used to help Santa's elves perform some aerodynamic analyzes on his sleigh designs throughout the year.”

How can I find out Santa's location using NORAD?

When we get to Christmas Eve, all you have to do is head over NORAD website To continue using the map.

The NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center is fully operational beginning at 4 a.m. EST on December 24.

If you want to hear it with your own ears, you can even call in to ask about Kris Kringle's current location, instead of checking a map, as he makes his way around the world bringing joy and delight to children everywhere.

You can call 1 877 HI-NORAD (1 877 446-6723) to speak directly with a NORAD employee who will be able to tell you Santa's exact location. Operators are available until midnight.

The website explains that all of this is made possible thanks to volunteers and through “the generous support of licensed businesses who bear almost all costs.”

The Vodafone survey goes on to reveal that as well as those following Santa, a further 90% of UK adults celebrating the festive season will be using their mobile devices to keep in touch with friends and family on the big day.

67% of people will connect with others in a different part of the country and 33% abroad – although some are much closer to home, with one in ten people living on the same street.

People using connected devices over the festive period will also use them to take photos, access online shopping deals such as Boxing Day sales and manage their finances.

A quarter of people plan to give someone an internet-connected device this Christmas, with the most popular items being smartphones, tablets and laptops.

This research comes as Vodafone announces that it has helped two million digitally excluded people and businesses cross the digital divide, working with partners including the Trussell Trust and the Good Things Foundation.

You can support the campaign this Christmas by playing Elf and quest – An augmented reality game that gives people the opportunity to give one of the 50,000 SIM cards to those in need, donated by Vodafone through the Everyone Connected programme.

Other prizes you can win include an all-inclusive family winter sunshine holiday in Tenerife, weekend getaways, Nintendo Switch consoles, Lavazza Coffee machines, entertainment packages and Amazon gift cards.

Nicky Lyons, Chief Corporate and Sustainability Officer at Vodafone UK, said: “At Vodafone, we are committed to bridging the digital divide all year round, and at Christmas we know that connecting with your loved ones is more important than ever. We are proud to have now helped two million people.” The company is working on crossing the digital divide, with a commitment to double this number by the end of 2025.