Where is Santa? How to track his Christmas 2024 journey

(NEXSTAR) — The stockings have been hung by the chimney with care, and St. Nicholas will soon be there. Unlike Christmases of yore, you no longer have to listen for a clatter on your lawn to know Santa Claus has arrived — there’s a tracker for that.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, is again tracking Santa and his eight tiny reindeer as they make their trek around the world this Christmas.

The organization — a joint effort between the U.S. and Canada — is responsible for tracking everything that flies in and around both countries. The tracking of the man in red, which began accidentally in 1955, remains its most beloved mission.

Santa departed the North Pole as scheduled around 4 a.m. ET on Tuesday, December 24, which is when NORAD started tracking his movements around the world.

For those who prefer to hear directly from those tracking Santa, NORAD staffs a call center of members who can tell you exactly where he is until early Christmas morning. You can reach NORAD at 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) during those hours.

If you want to be extra certain of Santa’s arrival, Google will also be tracking his progress.