Which organization operates the official NORAD Tracks Santa program?

The official NORAD Tracks Santa program is operated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

NORAD is a binational military organization responsible for aerospace warning and aerospace control for the United States and Canada. Each Christmas Eve, its public-relations tradition presents a playful fictional tracking service that follows Santa Claus around the world.

The tradition began in 1955 after a child accidentally called a military command center while trying to reach Santa. Colonel Harry Shoup, the officer on duty, instructed staff to provide updates about Santa’s location rather than simply correcting the mistake.

NORAD Tracks Santa is not an actual military operation tracking a real person. It is a long-running holiday outreach program that uses websites, telephone updates, social media, and other public channels.