Here's what to know as the tracker mapped out Santa's journey. Where did Santa's trip take him? NORAD updated its map in real time to show Santa's locations on his trip around the world.

Updates were also available via phone from the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center by calling 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). Once Santa's journey was completed, a recorded voice advised called ...

In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole.

NORAD’s Santa Tracker, the beloved decades-old tradition of virtually following Santa Claus as he delivers gifts to children around the world, returns Christmas Eve for its 69th year.

FILE – NORAD Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Charles D. Luckey takes a call while volunteering at the NORAD Tracks Santa center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., Dec. 24, 2014.

Families can also get updates via phone from the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center — just call 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723) to talk to a NORAD operator who can tell you Santa's exact location.

For more than 65 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight around the world,” reads a portion of the NORAD Tracks Santa website.

You can call toll-free at 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877-446-6723). Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s NORAD Santa Tracker.