NORAD Santa tracker 2024 LIVE: Real-time location updates as Father Christmas delivers presents to kids across the globe

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Santa Claus and his team of reindeer are zooming around the world today to deliver presents to children.

And thanks to the NORAD Santa tracker, which follows his journey every Christmas Eve, you can chart his progress as he visits every corner of the world.

For almost 70 years, families around the world have watched his whistling tour before he returns to his toy factory in the North Pole.

To keep Santa informed, follow our live updates below and join the conversation in our comments section

1735047753 439 NORAD Santa tracker 2024 LIVE Real time location updates as Father

‘Cheerful’ volunteers showed themselves taking phone calls

Norad organizers shared images of “happy” volunteers answering calls after reporting to their base in Colorado Springs.

The @NoradSanta account on X, formerly Twitter, posted the clip along with the caption: “It’s early in Colorado Springs at the #NORADTracksSanta Operations Center, and our cheerful volunteers are busy taking calls and answering important questions from you!’

In response to someone who suggested that Santa Claus was ‘much faster than a nuclear missile’, the report said: ‘Santa Claus is certainly not a rocket, but he DOES travel faster than starlight!’

The delivery of gift packages exceeds the 800,000 mark

More than 800,000 gifts have now been delivered, according to the tracker.

The updated total came after Santa Claus was spotted over the aptly named Santa Rita in the Pacific Ocean region of Guam.

The next stop would be Kimbe in Papua New Guinea, followed by Port Moresby in the same country, after a trip through New Zealand.

Norad Santa tracker in New Zealand

Across the Pacific and to Japan

Santa Claus has been flying over the Pacific Ocean for quite some time and is now approaching the east coast of Japan.

He dropped off presents in the Kuril Islands before returning to Russia.

He will reach Nogril soon.

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Santa leaves New Caledonia for Vanautu

Santa Claus has just finished delivering presents to children in New Caledonia, eastern Australia.

He is now on his way to Vanautu. There are many small island groups in this area – keep an eye out for the Solomon Islands soon too.

Santa Claus goes to Fiji

Santa Claus heads north again as he continues his journey around the world.

He is currently en route to Fiji, where it is around 12:15 am.

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Epic delivery journey continues

Santa Claus is approaching Antarctica, where he will visit all the hardworking scientists, far from their families, for research this Christmas.

He then returns north and resumes delivering in warmer temperatures.

He’ll be back in Queenstown, New Zealand in just over five minutes.

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Next stop, Antarctica!

Santa Claus will now travel south, all the way to Antarctica, where he will deliver some very special gifts.

He visits the Mcmurdo research station, operated by the United States.

He’ll be here in about ten minutes.

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Touchdown in New Zealand

Santa Claus has just landed in New Zealand.

He started delivering presents to children in Auckland, and later he will visit Wellington before heading north again.

Whistlestop tour continues in Samoa and Tonga

We’ve just seen Santa Claus visiting the island of Samoa as he continues his journey south towards New Zealand.

He is now on his way through Tonga and has delivered more than 250 million gifts.

1735047759 853 NORAD Santa tracker 2024 LIVE Real time location updates as Father
1735047760 315 NORAD Santa tracker 2024 LIVE Real time location updates as Father

Spotted: Rudolph leads the way through the darkness

As Santa’s sleigh passed over the island of Nauru a minute ago, Norad’s satellites gave us an excellent overhead shot showing Rudolph leading the reindeer through the darkness of the night.

His bright red nose was clearly visible, meaning Santa will have no problem finding his way tonight.

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Santa Claus leaves Russia and heads south

Santa Claus has now left Russia – for now – and is still heading south on a course that will eventually take him to Australia and New Zealand.

His next stop is Majuro, in the Marshall Islands.

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Santa Claus is making good progress over Russia

Santa Claus is currently traveling south towards the village of Esso in eastern Russia.

He’ll arrive in about five minutes.

There have been good flying conditions so far with no weather or travel delays, so it’s so good so far.

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More than 62 million gifts delivered

As Santa Claus heads towards Magadan, also in eastern Russia, he has already delivered no less than 62 million presents.

There is no rest for him and no break in his demanding schedule.

But don’t worry: he’s had plenty of practice.

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Santa Claus makes the first stop of his journey

Santa’s first stop is Uelen in Russia.

He is currently on his way there and will leave gifts of children’s stockings, shoes and all other items depending on local tradition.

FILE - This image is courtesy of NORAD â¿" the North American Aerospace Defense Command, responsible for monitoring and defending the skies over North America" shows NORAD's Santa Tracker. (NORAD via AP, File)

BREAKING: Santa Claus was spotted leaving the North Pole

Here’s our first look at Santa Claus as he travels around the world, bringing festive cheer and happiness to every child in the world.

He is currently still above the North Pole, but has already delivered some presents along the way.

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And there he goes!

Santa Claus has just left his home at the North Pole.

He will deliver presents to 2.4 billion children within 24 hours.

It’s a huge task, but we will be with him every step of the way. We’ll soon bring you his first stop.

Santa Claus prepares for take-off

We just heard from our elf sources at the North Pole that Santa is now getting ready to take off.

Stay up to date with all the latest updates…

The tension is increasing in the run-up to Santa’s big moment…

After weeks of waiting, meeting thousands of children and overseeing the production of billions of gifts, Santa is surely getting excited for his big moment.

It may take 364 days of preparation, but his dedication to his craft is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Zane Castello, 6, whispers his Christmas wish to Santa Claus during the Winter Day Camp holiday party at the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Thomas Slusser/The Tribune-Democrat via AP)

Santa Claus will leave ‘within an hour’

The latest update from Norad is that Santa will be leaving within the hour.

His final preparations are almost complete and the world’s satellites are ready to keep us informed all the time.

Santa tracker: what to expect

As soon as Santa Claus goes on a trip, we get live updates on where he is, which country he is flying over and what time it is.

There is even a special camera on board, so we can follow his progress live.

Here are a few photos from last year’s trip.

12896341 NORAD Santa tracker 2023 LIVE: Millions will wake up to presents on Christmas morning as Sinterklaas continues his route around the world
This image from NORAD shows NORAD's Santa Tracker. Armed with radars, sensors and aircraft, NORAD in Colorado keeps a close eye on Santa and his sleigh from the moment he leaves the North Pole. And it will once again share all these details so everyone can follow along as Santa Claus travels the world starting Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 2023. (NORAD via AP)

How many children does Santa Claus deliver to?

Santa’s job is always difficult, and this year is no different.

According to the latest estimate by children’s organization Unicef, there are more than 2.4 billion children under the age of 18 in the world.

That’s a lot of presents!

Satellites are ready to track Santa Claus as the countdown begins

Norad’s satellites and radar technology are now all ready to track Santa Claus as he delivers billions of presents in just one day today.

Now we’re just waiting for the big man himself to give the green light – and then we’ll let you know where he is all day long.

Here he is getting ready!

epa11791279 A man dressed as Santa Claus dances during a pre-Christmas carnival in Mumbai, India, December 23, 2024. Christmas Day is a Christian holiday celebrated on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

How do I find out where Santa Claus is?

In addition to following our Santa tracker here, any children who want to know how his journey is going can call Norad himself.

Santa’s 1,000 helpers are on hand to keep them informed of his progress.

FILE - Santa Claus volunteer Meghan Huyck and other volunteers answer calls from children around the world at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, December 24, 2017. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP, File)
FILE â¿" Canadian Lt. Major Chris Hache receives a call while volunteering at the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2017. (Jerilee Bennett/The Gazette via AP, File)

Santa tracker is part of a 70-year tradition

Norad’s Santa tracker is a 70-year tradition that started when a child accidentally called a top-secret U.S. military base at the height of the Cold War and asked to speak to Santa Claus.

The command’s director of operations, Col. Harry Shoup, answered the call. On the other side came a child’s voice asking, “Is this Santa Claus?”

After the first phone call in 1955, it became clear that a department store had accidentally printed the wrong number on an advertisement asking children to call Santa Claus.

As the phones rang, the staff was instructed to answer them like Santa Claus so as not to disappoint the children – and the Santa tracker started:

Santa Claus is making the final preparations

Sant’s elves have told us (and NORAD) that he is just making final preparations for his journey before leaving the North Pole.

The last of the presents are loaded onto his sleigh and he departs as soon as all security checks are completed.

Weather conditions ‘good for flying’

After a few changeable weeks of weather in Britain and the rest of the world, there is some good news early this Christmas Eve.

Weather conditions are said to be good for flying, meaning there are no expected delays to Santa’s journey.

Everything seems to be under control in the control room, with Santa getting help with the route out of the US.

FILE - NORAD Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Charles D. Luckey receives a call while volunteering at the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dec. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)

Welcome to our Santa tracker 2024!

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline’s Santa Tracker 2024! We’ll bring you all the live updates as he flies around the world today, aided by his team of loyal reindeer.

Important updates

  • BREAKING: Santa Claus was spotted leaving the North Pole

  • And there he goes!

  • Santa Claus will leave ‘within an hour’