Track Santa on Christmas Eve 2026: countdown and sleigh tracking

Updated 2026-10-26 · IncrediApp

For a lot of families, following Santa's sleigh across the map is as much a part of Christmas Eve as leaving out cookies. Here is when Christmas Eve falls in 2026, how Santa trackers work, the best-known options, and how to make the most of the countdown.

We make Chat with Santa, which has a countdown and sleigh tracking, so we mention it and say so clearly. Updated 26 October 2026.

Christmas 2026 dates

• Christmas Eve: Thursday 24 December 2026
• Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026
• From late October: about 60 days to go, plenty of time to write a letter to Santa.

How Santa trackers work

A Santa tracker is a playful map that shows Santa's sleigh "travelling" around the world on Christmas Eve, usually following midnight from time zone to time zone. None of them follow a real aircraft, of course. They are storytelling with a map, and that is exactly the fun.

Well-known Santa trackers

NORAD Tracks Santa

The most famous. It started in 1955 after a newspaper ad printed a wrong phone number that reached a US air defence command centre (CONAD, NORAD's predecessor), and the colonel on duty played along. The tradition has continued every Christmas Eve since, under NORAD from 1958. Check the official NORAD Tracks Santa site in December for this year's details.

Google Santa Tracker

Google has run a Santa Tracker with games and a Christmas Eve map in past years. Check whether it is running for 2026 closer to the date.

Chat with Santa

In Chat with Santa 2.0 you get a Christmas countdown and can track Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve, then keep the magic going by chatting with Santa, Rudolph or Jingle the elf in the same app. Santa's messages, calls and photos are AI-generated and simulated. The app is intended for users 13 and older.

Countdown ideas for the weeks before

• Fill a Nice List. One good deed a day until Christmas. See our Nice List ideas.
• Write to Santa early. Late November or early December leaves time for a reply.
• Plan Christmas Eve. Pick a time to check the tracker together, set out cookies and carrots, and agree on bedtime.
• Ask Santa what the workshop is up to. Text or call him and ask for a photo of the elves' final rush.

Christmas Eve plan

1. Late afternoon: check the tracker and see where the sleigh has reached.
2. Early evening: chat with Rudolph about the flight, or call Santa before he gets too busy.
3. Before bed: leave out a snack for Santa and the reindeer.

FAQ

When is Christmas Eve 2026?

Christmas Eve 2026 is Thursday 24 December, and Christmas Day is Friday 25 December 2026.

Can I track Santa in the Chat with Santa app?

Yes. Chat with Santa 2.0 adds a Christmas countdown and lets you track Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. It is part of an entertainment experience, not a real flight tracker.

What other Santa trackers are there?

The best-known is NORAD Tracks Santa, a tradition since 1955. Google has also run a Santa Tracker in past years. Check their official sites in December to confirm they are running for 2026.

Can I talk to Santa on Christmas Eve?

In Chat with Santa you can text Santa or start a simulated call at any time, including Christmas Eve. You can also chat with Rudolph and Jingle the elf.