Mapbox Santa Tracker: How We Built It

In late 2023, Mapbox developers collaborated to create a Santa Tracker web app as a festive project using Mapbox technology. Spearheaded by Chris Whong, this initiative was showcased in a Mapbox Dev Jam, highlighting the creativity and expertise of various team members. The app began as a casual Slack conversation and evolved into a polished application featuring a snow globe-inspired map style, real-time animations, and seasonal aesthetics. Utilizing open data from NORAD, the project included contributions from multiple Mapbox teams and external collaborators, resulting in a user-friendly interface with features like snow effects and smooth path animations. The Santa Tracker was deployed as a static site, with its source code accessible for educational purposes, and it garnered enthusiasm both internally and externally. The project exemplifies how Mapbox tools facilitate innovative problem-solving and collaborative development, encouraging others to share their creations using Mapbox technology.