NORAD has been tracking Santa for the youth of the world since 1958, eventually forming a partnership with Google. Last year the two organizations split over creative differences, and are now going about tracking the jolly bearded man in red individually as he makes his way from rooftop to rooftop.

NORAD Vs. Google Santa Tracker

With the help of Microsoft, NORAD utilizes Bing maps for their Santa Tracker, where games can be played, movies watched, music listened to and history learned. Parents and their children can keep tabs on Santa through Apple, Google and Microsoft apps, as well as on social media sights such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. There’s also an email address and a phone number where volunteers answer Santa-centric questions.

Google, using Google Maps, launched their own Santa Tracker. The internet company also provides a virtual Santa village where there are games, a way to leave Santa voicemail messages and the opportunity to learn about global Christmas traditions. Santa’s approximate location can be accessed via a Chrome plug-in, Android app and/or a Chromecast app.

Both NORAD’s and Google’s Santa Tracker estimate that Santa and his reindeer sled through the skies on Christmas Eve from 9 p.m. to midnight local time. Inclement whether can affect his timing. For parents with young children, it’s suggested that only one tracker be watched, as discrepancies could lead to some confusion about the legitimacy of Santa’s flight plan.

– Chelsea Regan

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