NORAD Santa tracker 2022 RECAP: Santa delivers over seven billion gifts

Santa Claus has completed his incredible global gift-giving marathon, delighting children in over 200 countries, including the UK.

Accompanied by his trusted reindeer Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, the cheerful festive character landed in the UK around midnight.

After two difficult years navigating isolation and social distancing, Santa is surely relieved to be going safely from house to house where he can feast on the cookies and milk left for him.

It began its titanic journey from the North Pole, heading west from the Pacific Ocean before ascending through Asia and Europe.

The NORAD tracking system, which has been in place since 1955, briefly crashed yesterday as millions tried to find out where Santa was.

Rest assured, Santa knows exactly where he needs to go and has been spotted on the flight radar delivering presents.

Hit the play button below to see where Santa Claus is -

And follow live updates below

10:36KEY EVENT

Santa Claus is back safe and sound at the North Pole

And it's over.

After delivering 7.6 billion gifts worldwide, Santa Claus has returned safely to the North Pole.

It's time for him to rise as delighted children around the world enjoy the gifts he left behind.

There is no doubt that work will be underway as soon as it begins to prepare for Christmas 2023.

After a long night, Santa Claus has finally returned to the North Pole

09:29Dave Burke

Santa Claus basks in the nighttime heat of Hawaii

Santa Claus has landed in Hawaii.

Having been in Alaska not long ago, the tall man experiences stark contrasts: the temperature there is 23°C around 11 p.m.

08:30Dave Burke

Santa now in Alaska after a long night

Now he's in Alaska.

A long 24-hour period is coming to an end for Santa Claus, who has delivered over seven billion gifts in the past 24 hours.

In a few minutes, he will arrive in Fairbanks, as he heads back to the North Pole for a well-deserved rest.

06:43Benoît Tetzlaff-Deas

Santa Claus in Mexico

Santa Claus has made his way through Mexico, a country with proud festive traditions.

This includes posadas, a series of nightly festivals between December 16 and December 24 that bring families and neighborhoods together to celebrate the nativity story.

Families also generally tend to eat their big meal at midnight on Christmas Eve rather than on Christmas Eve, and many choose to feast after returning from a late mass.

06:08Benoît Tetzlaff-Deas

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