As Christmas morning unfolds across the United States, many are asking where is Santa Claus in the world right now. The latest verified update from major Santa trackers shows that Santa has completed nearly all of his 2025 Christmas Eve journey, finishing deliveries across North America and now making his final stops in the western Pacific region as of December 25, 2025, 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
Both the NORAD Santa Tracker and Google Santa Tracker confirm that Santa began his annual global route on December 24, departing from his North Pole base just before 6:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. As of early morning on Christmas Day, Santa’s sleigh has traveled more than 300,000 miles, delivering billions of gifts to children worldwide.
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Santa’s Location Right Now
As of this morning, live tracking reports show that Santa is now finishing up his route near Auckland, New Zealand, having completed deliveries across the United States, Canada, and Central and South America earlier in the night.
The NORAD tracker’s live feed shows Santa’s sleigh still visible in the southern Pacific skies, heading west toward smaller island nations before officially returning to the North Pole for post-delivery rest.
Here’s a verified summary of Santa’s last known movements:
| Time (ET) | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 p.m. Dec 24 | Denver, Colorado, USA | Deliveries completed in the Rockies |
| 12:00 a.m. Dec 25 | Los Angeles, California, USA | West Coast gifts delivered |
| 1:30 a.m. Dec 25 | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA | Last U.S. stop |
| 4:00 a.m. Dec 25 | Sydney, Australia | Entered Pacific region |
| 6:00 a.m. Dec 25 | Auckland, New Zealand | Final delivery zone before return |
By sunrise on the East Coast, Santa has typically completed his worldwide mission, visiting more than 390,000,000 homes in less than 24 hours, traveling faster than any known aircraft on Earth.
How Santa Tracking Works in 2025
Tracking Santa’s journey has become a Christmas Eve tradition for millions of families. Two major tracking systems — NORAD Santa Tracker and Google Santa Tracker — provide real-time updates using radar, satellites, and simulated data feeds.
- NORAD Tracker: Operated by the North American Aerospace Defense Command since 1955, NORAD’s system uses military radar, global positioning, and flight simulation software to visualize Santa’s path.
- Google Tracker: Google’s version combines 3D animation, real-time mapping, and educational games to show Santa’s progress on various devices.
Both trackers refresh every few seconds, showing Santa’s sleigh location, number of gifts delivered, and his next destination.
Santa’s Route Across the World
Santa’s global route begins at the International Date Line near the South Pacific and follows the Earth’s rotation westward, ensuring that children in every time zone wake up to presents on Christmas morning.
His general route follows this pattern:
- South Pacific Islands – Santa starts early, visiting places like Fiji and New Zealand first.
- Australia and Asia – He moves through major cities such as Sydney, Tokyo, and Beijing.
- Europe and Africa – As night falls in Europe, Santa passes through London, Paris, and Rome, then heads toward Cairo and Cape Town.
- South and North America – By the time evening arrives in the Americas, Santa crosses from Brazil into the Caribbean, then to the United States and Canada.
- Return to the North Pole – Once every time zone has received its gifts, Santa’s sleigh heads home for rest and reindeer care.
Santa’s speed and efficiency have become legendary, traveling at a rate that would equal more than 1,800 miles per second to complete the global delivery.
Santa’s 2025 Progress Report
As of December 25, 2025, Santa’s sleigh has made over 7.9 billion gift deliveries in less than a single day. NORAD’s tracker recorded his flight path over six continents, and both tracking systems confirmed smooth travel with ideal weather over much of the Northern Hemisphere.
Santa’s reindeer team — led by Rudolph, with Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen — reportedly maintained high energy levels throughout the journey. Meteorological trackers also noted minimal turbulence, especially over the North Atlantic and northern Pacific, allowing for record-breaking delivery speed this year.
How the U.S. Celebrated Santa’s Arrival
From coast to coast, millions of Americans followed Santa’s progress on Christmas Eve. Families across states like Florida, Texas, and California used smart TVs, smartphones, and even in-car apps to watch Santa move across the map.
In many cities, children placed cookies and milk by the fireplace while tracking Santa’s proximity using interactive countdowns. When Santa’s sleigh icon appeared near their location, it was a sure sign that bedtime had arrived.
NORAD reported peak server traffic around 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, when Santa entered U.S. airspace over Maine before moving south through major metropolitan regions like New York, Atlanta, and Dallas.
The Technology Behind the Magic
Santa tracking has evolved dramatically over the years. In 2025, both major trackers integrate advanced tools to create a realistic and educational experience:
- Satellite Mapping: Global positioning satellites simulate Santa’s speed and direction in real-time.
- Augmented Reality (AR): Mobile apps allow users to view Santa’s sleigh “flying” across their local sky when pointed upward.
- AI-Powered Predictions: Algorithms estimate Santa’s arrival times based on historical routes and real-time updates.
- Voice Assistants: Smart home devices such as Alexa and Google Assistant can now answer “Where’s Santa?” questions instantly.
This technology adds excitement for families while keeping the holiday tradition rooted in real-time interaction.
The History of Santa Tracking
The Santa tracking tradition began by accident in 1955, when a Colorado Springs newspaper misprinted a phone number for a department store’s “Santa hotline.” Instead, calls went directly to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), NORAD’s predecessor.
Rather than disappointing the children who called, officers decided to “track” Santa’s sleigh on radar. The tradition continued annually, expanding from radio updates to television broadcasts, then to websites and apps in the internet age.
Today, NORAD’s Santa tracking operation involves hundreds of volunteers, military personnel, and technology experts who monitor Santa’s progress throughout the night.
Santa’s Return to the North Pole
Once Santa completes his global route, he returns to the North Pole, where Mrs. Claus and the elves prepare for post-delivery activities. The reindeer rest and recover with extra treats, while the elves begin documenting delivery statistics and preparing toys for the following year.
By mid-morning on Christmas Day in the United States, Santa typically lands safely back at his headquarters. Tracking maps often show his sleigh slowing near the Arctic Circle before disappearing from radar — marking the official end of his journey for another year.
Fun Facts About Santa’s 2025 Journey
- Santa visited more than 195 countries and territories.
- His sleigh covered over 300,000 miles in 24 hours.
- The estimated number of gifts delivered topped 7.9 billion.
- Santa’s sleigh averaged speeds near 1,800 miles per second.
- The reindeer consumed roughly 80,000 tons of magical feed during the trip.
While the numbers are incredible, the spirit behind them remains the same: spreading joy and keeping the tradition alive for children around the world.
How U.S. Families Can Keep Tracking Santa
Even after Santa completes his worldwide trip, the tracking platforms remain active for a short time on Christmas Day. Families can:
- Rewatch Santa’s full journey replay on NORAD’s digital map.
- Explore Santa’s village online, featuring elf workshops and reindeer barns.
- Send digital thank-you notes through interactive games.
- Check reindeer stats, sleigh logs, and travel routes from Christmas Eve.
These post-delivery features allow families to continue celebrating and learning even after Santa returns home.
The Importance of the Santa Tracking Tradition
For nearly seven decades, tracking Santa’s journey has been a cherished part of Christmas for families in the U.S. and around the world. It blends imagination with technology, connecting generations through a shared moment of wonder.
Parents use the trackers to teach geography and time zones, while children experience the excitement of seeing Santa’s progress inch closer to their homes. The blend of education, entertainment, and tradition makes it one of the most enduring holiday rituals.
Final Update for December 25, 2025
As of this hour, Santa Claus has completed his 2025 global journey and is safely en route back to his home at the North Pole. After more than 24 hours of travel and billions of deliveries, the holiday mission is officially a success.
For those still waking up in the United States, Santa has already visited — leaving behind gifts, joy, and the spirit of Christmas in every corner of the country.
Merry Christmas to all, and share in the joy by commenting below where Santa visited your home this year!