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Father Christmas is getting ready to soar 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 globe 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.
Watch live – Santa’s trip across the globe
Despite Norad’s tracker being down, our live stream is still running.
Santa is now on his way to the San Mariana Islands – another dreamlike Pacific location.
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 13:06
Norad hotline for Santa’s specific location
Hopefully Norad’s live tracker will be up and running soon but for the mean time, Santa fans can call Norad for his exact whereabouts.
The Homeland Security unit have shared a number to call for those who want to keep a watch on his mission.
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 12:49
Updates from Norad – Santa heads to Micronesia
The live Santa tracker is still down, but Norad have revealed he is on his way to Micronesia.
Micronesia is a country made up of 2100 islands in the South Pacific known for its impressive beaches and ancient ruins.
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 12:44
Social media users predict what Santa is getting up to as system’s down
Santa is making his way to the tropical island country of Fiji but due to the Norad tracking system being down, his exact location is unknown.
Those enthralled by Santa’s trip have taken to social media to guess what he might be getting up to.
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 12:37
Technical difficulties with Norad’s tracker
Volunteers working through the night to track Santa’s trip have reported technical difficulties with the tracking service.
They have assured he is still on his way to Fiji.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 12:32
Sleigh heading for Fiji
Santa has zoomed over New Zealand and is now making his way towards Fiji.
Fiji is an island country in Oceania known for it’s turquoise seas and white beaches.
Fun fact- there are 322 islands in Fiji but only 106 of them are inhabited.
Mr Claus and his reindeer convoy have now delivered 441 million gifts at an incredible speed.
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 12:18
Back to New Zealand
Santa is heading back to New Zealand, after a swift present drop in Antarctica.
Mr Claus’s next stop is Queenstown, a town in the South Island renowned for it’s adventure sports, making it a dream destination for adrenaline junkies.
Local time is 01.06am – but there is no rest for Santa as he continues his round-the-world non-stop voyage.
(Invivo)
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 12:07
Back to colder climes
Spending 364 days of the year in the freezing North Pole, Santa is heading back to familiar crisp airs as he makes his way to Antarctica.
Antarctica is the largest ice sheet in the world, so Santa has to be careful not to slip as he makes his way into homes.
Though it’s a vast continent, there are only around 1,100 habitants living in the harsh environment- but he always makes sure to wave to the penguins.
COP28 Climate Antarctica Photo Gallery
(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 11:58
Next stop, Christchurch
Santa is flying over New Zealand as is on his way to Christchurch.
Him and his trusty reindeer have delivered nearly 300 million presents as he has completed the North Island, making his way southwards.
Christchurch is one of the largest cities in the South Island, and sadly much of it was destroyed by an earthquake in 2011.
Idyllic scenery in Christchurch New Zeal and
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 11:54
Santa to touch down in New Zealand
In a matter of seconds Santa will reach New Zealand.
After soaring through Oceania’s smaller Island states, Mr Claus has more ground and children to cover in this country which boasts a mountainous landscape and beautiful island beaches.
The city of Auckland is the most populous area in the country, counting 1,793,000 residents.
Ms Crumpton was bound for Auckland, New Zealand
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Lydia Patrick24 December 2023 11:50
