Kiss a Ginger Day

National Kiss a Ginger Day is an American holiday dedicated to celebrating people with red hair. Redheads are rare—only about 2% of the global population has this striking trait, and they often face teasing or stereotypes. On January 12 each year, this holiday encourages everyone to show red-haired friends and family a little extra appreciation!

History

National Kiss a Ginger Day was created by Derek Forgie, who launched a Facebook event to push back against the unfair treatment and jokes often directed at redheads. The movement quickly gained popularity and helped transform the narrative to one of positivity and fun.

Negative attitudes toward red hair have existed for centuries. In the Middle Ages, red-haired girls were sometimes accused of witchcraft. Thankfully, these superstitions are now in the past. Today, many people even dye their hair red by choice to enjoy its vibrant color.

Giving a kiss or sharing a kind word with someone who has red hair is a great way to celebrate the day. Red hair is genetically rare—if both parents have it, there’s only a 1 in 4 chance their child will, too. The rarest of all combinations is red hair with blue eyes, found in just 1% of people worldwide.

Interesting Facts

• People with red hair often don’t go gray—instead, their hair simply becomes lighter with age.
• Ireland and Scotland have the highest proportions of red-haired people in the world.
• Redheads naturally produce more vitamin D than those with other hair colors.

How to Take Part

Give a hug or a kiss (with consent!) to your red-haired friends or relatives. If you see a redhead, offer a sincere compliment. If you’ve always wanted to try red hair yourself, Kiss a Ginger Day is a perfect excuse to experiment with a new look.

Share fun facts and celebrate redheads on social media to help spread awareness and positivity.

When is Kiss a Ginger Day in 2026?

Kiss a Ginger Day is observed on January 12 each year.

Observations