World Redhead Day Date in the current year: May 26, 2024

Red hair, also referred to as ginger hair or orange hair, owes it unusual color to relatively low levels of the dark pigment eumelanin and high levels of the reddish pigment pheomelanin. The color of red hair can vary from strawberry blond to bright copper or reddish orange depending on its pigment levels. Red hair is commonly associated with other traits such as lighter eye color, fair skin, freckles, and photosensitivity.

Human hair color is determined by genetic factors; red hair specifically is a recessive trait, which is why it is so rare. Redheads make less than 2% of the world population, and their percentage is higher among people born or with roots in Northern or Northwestern Europe. Ireland has the world’s largest percentage of redheads (around 10% of the total population).

Attitudes towards red hair have been different in various times and cultures. In the Middle Ages, thousands of red-haired women were burned at stake as witches. However, during the Elizabethan era in England, red hair was considered fashionable because Queen Elizabeth I herself was a redhead. Although it is clear today that red hair isn’t a “mark of Devil” or some other nonsense, redheads still occasionally face prejudice and stereotyping. World Redhead Day was created to fight this prejudice and celebrate redheads around the world.

The origins of World Redhead Day are unclear, but it shouldn’t stop you from celebrating red hair and everything it represents! If you’re a redhead, you can observe the holiday by treating yourself to a new haircut and posting selfies on social media with the hashtag #WorldRedheadDay. If your hair is not naturally red but you’ve always liked the color, consider dyeing your hair to celebrate! There are many shades of red, so we’re sure you’ll find the one that suits your complexion the best.

Other ways to celebrate World Redhead Day include posting photos of your favorite red-haired celebrities on social media, binge-watching movies starring red-haired actors, reading a book featuring redhead characters (a perfect excuse to reread the Harry Potter books for the millionth time!), learning interesting facts about redheads and sharing them with anyone who is willing to listen, or honoring redheads any other way you can think of.

World Redhead Day should not be confused with Redhead Day(s). The latter is the name of several festivals for redheads that take place in different parts of the world. The most famous one is the Redhead Days festival occurring in the Dutch city of Tilburg on the last weekend of August. Similar celebrations include Redhead Day UK in London, Red Head Days in Ellicottville, NY, and Redhead Days in Highwood, IL.

Other holidays celebrating redheads include National Love Your Red Hair Day (November 5) and Kiss a Ginger Day (January 12). Both were created to combat negative stereotypes about red hair and protect redheads from bullying.