Santa Tracked by NORAD Christmas Eve

For 364 days of the year, kids can be sure that Santa Claus is at the North Pole. But for one day, Christmas Eve, Santa is on a world tour in his sleigh. Thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), parents and kids can track Santa’s progress around the globe as he delivers presents to all the good boys and girls.

NORAD is ready to track Santa on Dec. 24, for the program’s 68th year. NORAD monitors and defends North American airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. On Dec. 24, NORAD has one additional mission: tracking Santa Claus as he makes his way across the globe, delivering presents to children.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website, NoradSanta.org, launched on Dec. 1. It features Santa’s North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games, movie theater, holiday music, web store, and more.

The official NORAD Tracks Santa app is also in the Apple App and Google Play stores, to count down the days until Santa’s journey on mobile devices. NORAD Tracks Santa will also be available on digital media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X, and on contributor platforms, Amazon Alexa, Bing, SiriusXM, and OnStar.

On Dec. 24, trackers worldwide can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight MST. Also on Dec. 24, website visitors will see Santa’s flight beginning at 3 am.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Magical Night Returns to Kearney

Kearney’s annual Magical Night and Lighted Christmas Parade returns in less than three weeks with fun activities and an appearance by Santa Claus.

The Kearney Enrichment Council’s Magical Night begins at 6 pm on Saturday, December 14, with the lighted parade through downtown. The parade route will be the same as the homecoming route on Washington and Jefferson Streets.

102.7FM and KMO-TV personalities will be on hand to Emcee and announce the parade floats as they travel past City Hall. The parade will also be televised on KMO-TV and can be seen on the radio station’s Facebook page, KMO-TV, YouTube channel and KPGZ website.

After the parade, Santa will arrive and family activities will begin downtown. Santa will available to talk to kids and take pictures at City Hall. Downtown businesses will be open for kids’ activities and crafts. Each business will have a unique activity for visitors from 7 – 9 pm.

The evening will conclude with a holiday fireworks display.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story.