Every Christmas, Santa Claus amazes children around the world with his magical ability to deliver exactly what they want without ever being caught in the act.
One of the fun things you can do with your kids on Christmas Eve is find out where the sleigh is in the world and how it handles this amazing feat while they wait for their own gifts to be placed silently under the Christmas tree. .
Here are all the best websites to track Santa’s progress this year. Some are also available as apps for Android and iPhone.
1. Santa’s Google Tracker
Google is using some of its vast knowledge to spread some Christmas cheer. Head over to the Google Santa Tracker website, there’s a selection of different activities suitable for all ages available to play ahead of Christmas Eve.
When it’s the big day, you’ll see Santa’s location, a live blog of his journey, as well as how far he’s from you and how many gifts he’s delivered.
According to the tracker, Santa’s trip lasts 25 hours. It makes its first stop just after 10 p.m. local time in Russia’s far east, when it’s 5 a.m. in New York and 11 a.m. in Paris.
The website works on PCs, phones and tablets, and there is no need to install an app.
2. Track Santa with NORAD
For those of a certain age, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) will conjure up images of a new face Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy bringing the world to the brink of World War III just so that they can play the latest video game. In the classic war games of 1983, the final scenes of a potential global catastrophe take place in the mountainous stronghold of NORAD, where the generals follow all the nuclear missile attacks of the aggressive nations (well, at the time, it was the Soviet Union).
NORAD has turned its considerable surveillance capabilities to geolocating St. Nick, which must reach incredible, missile-like speeds while traversing the skies. That, or he sees it as a threat to national security.
These days, you can also install Norad’s tracker on Android and iPhone.
Go to the NORAD website.
In fact, the NORAD Tracks Santa site is a glorious celebration of Santa Claus and just a fun place for kids (and adults) to kill some time. While the main function – on Christmas Eve – is to show the Santa Claus express making its way through the skies, you can click on the various village buildings on the homepage to listen to songs, learn more about Santa Claus – and NORAD.
The tradition of NORAD tracking Santa’s flight began in 1955 when a misprint in an advertisement ended with children accidentally calling NORAD (or rather its predecessor CONAD) to ask where Santa. Colonel Harry Shoup, with considerable good grace, had his staff verify the current location of the sleigh, and another Christmas legend was born.
3. Santa Update
If you prefer a more journalistic approach to the preparations for the sleigh and the social conditions in Santa’s toy workshop, then Santa Update is for you. This site covers news that somehow gets missed by the wider media, including radio interviews with knowledgeable elves speculating about a strange, tall, unnamed building in which Mr. Christzmas stores something mysterious.
Santa Update
Santa Update has also published several stories regarding sled flight tests in Malaysia, speed tests in Russian airspace, and random sightings over Japan where St Nick is believed to be conducting reconnaissance missions. Any disgruntled elves who wish to expose the Santa Claus scandals can also submit their reports directly to the site for publication.
The real highlight, however, is the live radio broadcast that will take place during the big night, which Santa insiders say is called “Operation Merry Christmas” by Big Beard himself.
Part of Santa Update is Elf HQ, which handles messages to Santa and elves online.
There are email addresses on the site for you to contact the main man himself, so hopefully you’ll get an idea of what he’s planning to bring you!
