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Santa’s annual journey from the North Pole was in full swing Wednesday as millions of families checked NORAD and Google’s Santa trackers to see when his sleigh might reach their neighborhood. The 70-year tradition has turned into one of Christmas Eve’s most reliable rituals, blending military-grade technology with holiday storytelling.
Where is Santa? NOAA provides his 2025 route
NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, began tracking Santa in 1955 after a misprinted department store ad sent children calling a Colorado command center looking for St. Nick. Rather than turn them away, officers played along, launching a volunteer-powered operation that has grown into a global Christmas Eve call center and a live-tracking website.
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Today, NORAD uses the same radar installations, satellites, and infrared sensors it relies on for air defense to follow Santa’s movements once he “lifts off” from the North Pole. Officials say the system monitors for the heat signature of Rudolph’s nose and Santa’s sleigh as it races across time zones.
NORAD’s tracker goes live early Dec. 24, mapping Santa’s path in real time as he moves from the International Date Line through the South Pacific, Asia, Europe, Africa, and finally the Americas. Families can watch the map online, use a mobile app, or call and chat with volunteers for location updates throughout the night.
When is Santa expected to arrive?
NORAD estimates that Santa typically visits homes between about 9 p.m. and midnight local time on Christmas Eve, once children are in bed. Trackers do not pinpoint individual houses, and officials stress that “only Santa knows his route,” which can change from year to year.
The agencies remind families that Santa’s visit is contingent on kids being asleep, even as maps and live blogs continue to update his progress across oceans and continents. As darkness falls across North America, the tracker tradition becomes a nightly countdown, with one eye on the radar and the other on the clock.
Christmas sports watching guide
Sports fans eager to open their presents can keep one eye on the tree and the other on the TV, with football bowls and wall-to-wall NBA action giving them plenty to watch between unwrapping gifts.
ESPN schedule
| Time (ET) | TV/Live stream | Event | Matchup |
| 8 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo | Hawaii Bowl | California vs. Hawaii |
Thursday, Dec. 25
ABC schedule
| Time (ET) | TV/Live stream | Event | Matchup |
| Noon | ABC, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Cavaliers vs. Knicks |
| 2:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Spurs vs. Thunder |
| 5 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Mavericks vs. Warriors |
| 8 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Rockets vs. Lakers |
| 10:30 p.m. | ABC, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Timberwolves vs. Nuggets |
ESPN schedule
| Time (ET) | TV/Live stream | Event | Matchup |
| Noon | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Cavaliers vs. Knicks |
| Noon | ESPN2, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Cavs vs. Knicks 'Dunk the Halls' alt-cast |
| 2:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Spurs vs. Thunder |
| 5 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Mavericks vs. Warriors |
| 8 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Rockets vs. Lakers |
| 10:30 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo | NBA | Timberwolves vs. Nuggets |
Netflix schedule
| Time (ET) | TV/Live stream | Event | Matchup |
| 1 p.m. | Netflix | NFL | Cowboys vs. Commanders |
| 4:30 p.m. | Netflix | NFL | Lions vs. Vikings |
Prime Video schedule
| Time (ET) | TV/Live stream | Event | Matchup |
| 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video | NFL | Broncos vs. Chiefs |
Sporting events on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be spread across multiple networks, including ABC and ESPN. You can also stream select games on the ESPN app, Fubo, Netflix and Prime Video.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100-plus top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
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