NORAD Santa tracker 2023 LIVE — Father Christmas completes his journey as he delivers 7.8 billion presents worldwide
CHRISTMAS is finally here and Santa Claus has officially completed his annual journey across the globe.
Father Christmas set off at 11am on Christmas Eve in the UK, that's early morning for folks in the US, as he went on to deliver over 7.8 billion presents worldwide.
According to the (Norad), Santa began his mission on the International Date Line before heading to the Pacific, New Zealand and Australia.
From Derby to Doha and Norwich to New York, Mr Claus delivered over 7.8 billion presents to children across the globe and you can look back on his every movement here.
Norad has been tracking Santa and his reindeer since 1955 and even has its own Santa Tracker app.
Follow our Santa tracker below for the latest updates on exactly where in the world he is RIGHT NOW...
The reason individuals attend church on Christmas Eve
The Roman Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus dated Jesus' conception to March 25.
It is thought that December 25 was chosen as it is exactly nine months after this date.
The Bible does not specify Jesus' date of birth.
December 25 might also have been chosen because of the – the shortest day of the year.
By attending midnight mass, Christians dedicate the festive season to God and celebrate Christ's birth.
Midnight mass, explained
Midnight mass is a tradition that sees Christians gather for a service on Christmas Eve.
The service generally starts just before midnight and is a vigil seeing in the arrival of Christ's birth.
It includes a mass - also known as eucharist, communion, or breaking of bread - where believers share bread and wine in .
It is believed the tradition started in the Western World from about 430AD under Pope Sixtus III in the Basilica of St Mary Major.
Midnight mass became widely popular by the twelfth century.
There are also services generally held at dawn, and during Christmas Day.
Google’s Christmas games
While Santa is soaring above us delivering presents, why not try some of Google’s Christmas-themed games?
There is a range to choose from, including:
- Out Like A Light
- Yule Log
- Penguin Proof
- Santa Selfie
- Elf Maker
- Code Lab
- Railroad Ride
- Gumball Tilt
- Ollie Under The Sea
- Present Bounce
- Snowball Storm
- Build & Bolt
- Holiday Traditions
- Present Drop
- Translations
- Quick Draw
- Santa’s Canvas
- Snowbox
- Santa Search
- Elf Jetpack
- Penguin Dash
- Elf Ski
- Rudolph Racer
- Season of Giving
- Code Boogie
- Wrap Battle
- Elf Jamband
- Map Quiz
- Reindeer Runner
- Elf Glider
Elf on the Shelf tradition, concluded
Elf on the Shelf was created in 2005 by and her daughter Chanda Bell who created a book called The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition.
Aebsbersold revealed the tradition started when she was a child which she passed on to her family.
When the book made its debut, it came with a box that included a miniature Scout Elf within.
The Elf on the Shelf has since become a cultural phenomenon across the globe.
Elf on the Shelf tradition, part three
The Elf on the Shelf normally arrives in the household between November 24 and December 1.
The Elf on the Shelf will begin its reporting based on when it makes its first debut.
The Scout Elf will come and go every day until Christmas Eve on December 24.
If kids behave, Santa will bring them on Christmas Day.
Elf on the Shelf tradition, continued
The following day kids will find the Elf on the Shelf in a different location around the house.
However, they aren't allowed to touch the elf because they could "lose their magic."
While they aren't able to touch them, parents should encourage their kids to talk to them and tell them what they may want for .
More on the Elf on the Shelf tradition
Elf on the Shelf is a tradition that follows the Scout Elves who travel to the North Pole nightly to report to .
According to the tradition, the Elf on the Shelf is meant to nudge children to be on their best behavior during the holiday season.
The Scout Elf comes in a box that is accompanied by a .
The book paints a picture of how the elves make their way to the North Pole to let Santa know how the children in the household behaved on that specific day.
What year did Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer come out?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer premiered on December 6, 1964 in primetime on NBC.
It is a musical story based on the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” by Johnny Marks.
It illustrates the tale of a timid reindeer whose Christmas spirit is diminished because others in Christmasville have made fun of his shiny nose.
Learn some facts while tracking Santa
When using the website to see where Santa’s been, you can also click on the interactive map to learn about the different locations around the world!
If you click on the camera icons at specific locations on the map, a pop-up with a Wikipedia article about that location with show up.
You can read all about that specific location and learn about where Santa has visited!
Santa continues his trip!
Santa is about to arrive at Cooktown, Australia. The jolly old man has delivered 800,000 gifts already!
Santa makes his way to AustraliaCredit: Norad Santa Tracker He's back!
Looks like Santa has got everything fixed and Norad's tracker is back up.
Next stop, Papua New Guinea.
Just how fast does Santa fly?
Delivering over 7 billion presents in one day stretches to the laws of physics, to say the least.
But Santa does it nonetheless, spreading Christmas joy across the globe alongside his reindeer.
But just how fast does the Father Christmas fly?
Find out in our piece below:
Santa suffers some...technical difficulties
Looks like Santa Claus is experiencing a few technical difficulties.
Not worry, we're sure he'll be back soon!
In a message to trackers, Norad said: "Hey Santa Trackers. There is some technical difficulties with tracking Santa's location. He is heading to Fiji!"
Google's Christmas games
While Santa is soaring above us delivering presents, why not try some of Google's Christmas-themed games?
There is a range to choose from, including:
- Out Like A Light
- Yule Log
- Penguin Proof
- Santa Selfie
- Elf Maker
- Code Lab
- Railroad Ride
- Gumball Tilt
- Ollie Under The Sea
- Present Bounce
- Snowball Storm
- Build & Bolt
- Holiday Traditions
- Present Drop
- Translations
- Quick Draw
- Santa's Canvas
- Snowbox
- Santa Search
- Elf Jetpack
- Penguin Dash
- Elf Ski
- Rudolph Racer
- Season of Giving
- Code Boogie
- Wrap Battle
- Elf Jamband
- Map Quiz
- Reindeer Runner
- Elf Glider
Next stop - Fiji
Fiji is up next for Santa on his annual world tour.
The big man in red has already delivered over 450 million presents!
Let's hope Rudolph has got plenty of carrots so far.
What time could Santa reach the UK?
Santa set off on his journey around the globe an hour ago and is currently delivering presents in New Zealand and Australia.
But when will he be in the UK?
Well, if last year's Norad tracker is anything to go by, he won't reach our shores until late this evening.
So make sure to be all tucked up in bed for when he and his reindeer arrive.
Where is Santa now?
Mr Claus has just finished up delivering presents to Chatham Island, New Zealand.
The next stop on his list is Antarctica.
Make sure to wrap up warm Santa!
How to track Santa via your phone this Christmas
You can track Santa on the go this year with the NORAD Tracks Santa app.
The Christmas tracker is available on both android and iOS.
Simply search for the NORAD Tracks Santa to download it.
Santa heads to Russia
Just minutes into his globe-trotting adventure Santa is making his way across Russia.
Mr Claus has ALREADY delivered a staggering 75 million presents.
And he’s off!
Santa has officially began his journey to deliver billions of presents across the globe.
Father Christmas is currently in the North Pole.
Good luck Santa!
What year did Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer come out?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer premiered on December 6, 1964 in primetime on NBC.
It is a musical story based on the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," by Johnny Marks.
It illustrates the tale of a timid reindeer whose Christmas spirit is diminished because others in Christmasville have made fun of his shiny nose.
Where does Santa begin his journey?
Santa typically begins his journey at the International Date Line, halfway around the world from London.
That means for us in the UK, Santa will start delivering presents in the afternoon on Christmas Eve.
Then he’ll travel to South Pacific islands, followed by New Zealand, then Australia, Japan, over to Asia and across Africa, then onto Western Europe – and the UK.
After that, he’ll continue to Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Central and South America.
By around noon on Christmas day, he should have travelled all the way around the world.
SO exciting!
Every UK Christmas number one since 2000
- 2000: Bob The Builder – Can We Fix It?
- 2001: Robbie Williams And Nicole Kidman – Somethin’ Stupid
- 2002: Girls Aloud – Sound Of The Underground
- 2003: Michael Andrews and Gary Jules – Mad World
- 2004: Band Aid 20 – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
- 2005: Shayne Ward – That’s My Goal
- 2006: Leona Lewis – A Moment Like This
- 2007: Leon Jackson – When You Believe
- 2008: Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah
- 2009: Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name
- 2010: Matt Cardle – When We Collide
- 2011: Military Wives With Gareth Malone – Wherever You Are
- 2012: The Justice Collective – He’s Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
- 2013: Sam Bailey – Skyscraper
- 2014: Ben Haenow – Something I Need
- 2015: The Lewisham And Greenwich NHS Choir – A Bridge Over You
- 2016 Clean Bandit – Rockabye
- 2017: Ed Sheeran – Perfect
- 2018: Ladbaby – We Built This City
- 2019: Ladbaby – I Love Sausage Rolls
- 2020: Ladbaby – Don’t Stop Me Eatin’
- 2021: Ladbaby ft Ed Sheeran and Elton John – Sausage Rolls For Everyone
- 2022: Ladbaby – Food Aid
- 2023: Wham! - Last Christmas
Who is Mrs Claus?
It's a fact of life that behind almost every great man there is a great woman.
Mrs Claus stepped into the spotlight in 1849 and has been by Santa's side ever since.
Like her husband she goes by many different names, including Mary Christmas and Carol.
Santa begins his preparations
Santa is gearing up for his epic journey around the world, with the big man in red packing presents before setting off.
Not long now until he takes flight!
