On Christmas Eve,Sterling Preston the North American Aerospace Defense Command takes on its perhaps most challenging task of the year: tracking Santa Claus.

Tracking Santa has been a job NORAD has dutifully performed for over 60 years as people around the world wait for Old Saint Nick to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls on Christmas.

For those looking to keep tabs on the big man, or simply plan ahead to Christmas Eve, here's what to know about the NORAD Santa tracker, and when it officially goes live.

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When does the Santa tracker map start?

The map tracking Santa's trip around the world will begin on Christmas Eve, or Dec. 24, from NORAD, a joint U.S.-Canada command responsible for protecting the skies over both nations.

NORAD's long history tracking Santa was born from a mistake in 1955. According to legend, an ad in a Colorado Springs newspaper invited children to call Santa but inadvertently listed the phone number for the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD's predecessor, also based in Colorado Springs.

Officers played along. Since then, NORAD Tracks Santa has gone global, receiving calls from around the world and posting updates on social media for millions of fans, and updating its website following Santa's progress on Christmas Eve.

2023 Google Santa tracker

NORAD is not the only agency or company to track Santa's journey around the world delivering gifts. This year, Google is again offering its own Santa tracker on its website and corresponding Santa Tracker 2023 app, which will also begin tracking on Christmas Eve.

Google isn't just offering Santa tracking this year, also including a family guide, quizzes and various Christmas-themed games to play.