HAMPTON ROADS — What started as a typo in a department store advertisement has turned into one of the most beloved Christmas Eve traditions for many families. NORAD Tracks Santa is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025 and is bringing new tools to the forefront as the big guy gets his worldwide journey underway.
NORAD Tracks Santa began by accident. In 1955, a young child, trying to reach Santa, misdialed a printed phone number from a department store ad in the local newspaper.
Instead of calling Santa, the child called the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night who answered the child’s phone call, was quick to realize the mistake and, not wanting to let down the child, told the child where Santa was currently located.
The connection between NORAD and Santa continued when NORAD was formed in 1958. Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families across the globe.
Maj. Jennie Derenzis, a Royal Canadian Air Force Member of the NORAD Public Affairs Team, explained all the new things coming to the tracker in 2025.
New in 2025, the NORAD Tracks Santa team is using Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP, to allow children to call the trackers through the NORAD website. Also making its debut in 2025 is virtual translation support, so callers can speak to trackers in over 300 different languages.
“Being able to speak and connect with children from all over the world is truly what the core mission and spirit of this whole thing is about,” Derenzis said.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the program, The NORAD Tracks Santa multimedia team compiled videos and pictures of children all over the world tracking Santa throughout the years. The video debuted on Black Friday on NORAD Tracks Santa social media platforms and kicked off the Christmas season with some extra spirit.
While NORAD’s mission is to protect North American airspace, the special mission of Dec. 24 is also at the forefront of everyone’s mind on Christmas Eve.
“Defending North America is our command number one priority, 24/7, 365. Our mission is to monitor and defend North American airspace at all times. Dec. 24 is that one special additional mission tracking the safe flight and passage of this special aviator, Santa, as he travels the globe. It allows us to connect with the community and provide spirit and unity across the planet. It’s so special and unique and provides us with a real opportunity to tell the public that we track Santa using the same capabilities that we use all year round to keep our airspace safe,” Derenzis said.
Derenzis added that those who participate in the special mission of protecting Santa on Christmas Eve hold the event in a special place in their heart.
“It’s joy for everyone. Like any job, there is stuff you love about your job and stuff that frustrates and tires you out. For a time like NORAD Tracks Santa time, it’s all about joy the entire day,” Derenzis said.
To see what time Santa will be making his stop in Hampton Roads tonight, children can track him through noradsanta.org.