International Kiss A Ginger Day is a playful and cheeky day celebrated every year on January 12. The event was created to give gingers, or redheads, a fun and positive experience, as they have often been the subject of jokes and teasing. So, if you have a ginger friend, family member, or partner, it’s the perfect time to celebrate them with a little extra affection (just make sure to ask first!).
Other national days celebrating red hair:
- National Redhead Day on November 5th
- Redhead Appreciation Day on September 23
- World Redhead Day on May 26
The Origins of International Kiss A Ginger Day
Launched in 2009 by Canadian Derek Forgie, International Kiss A Ginger Day was intended to counteract the negativity of “Kick A Ginger Day,” a joke holiday from a TV show that led to real-world bullying. Forgie sought to turn the narrative around, creating a celebration that highlights the beauty and uniqueness of redheads. Since then, this day has gained popularity and spread globally, offering a fun and flirty way to brighten up the middle of January.
When Is International Kiss A Ginger Day?
January 12 is International Kiss A Ginger Day, a fun and lighthearted celebration that brings attention to the rarest hair color in the world: red. To help you plan ahead, check out the table below for the upcoming dates of International Kiss A Ginger Day through 2030.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | January 12, Friday |
| 2025 | January 12, Sunday |
| 2026 | January 12, Monday |
| 2027 | January 12, Tuesday |
| 2028 | January 12, Wednesday |
| 2029 | January 12, Friday |
| 2030 | January 12, Saturday |
Fun Facts About Redheads
Redheads may be rare, but they come with some fascinating and little-known facts! From their unique genetic traits to some surprising statistics, there’s more to gingers than meets the eye. Here are a few fun facts that you might not know:
- Redheads make up only about 1-2% of the global population, making them rare and often regarded as special.
- Red hair is a recessive trait, which means both parents must carry the gene for a child to be born with red hair.
- The rarest hair and eye combination in the world is red hair with blue eyes!
- Some studies suggest that redheads may be more sensitive to temperature changes and need more anesthesia for surgery.
Ways to Celebrate International Kiss A Ginger Day
International Kiss A Ginger Day is all about spreading cheer and showing appreciation for the redheads in your life. From giving a friendly kiss to sharing the love online, there are plenty of fun ways to take part in the celebration. Here’s how you can make the day special:
- Give your favorite ginger a kiss—but only if you know them well and have their consent. A friendly kiss on the cheek can brighten their day.
- Share your appreciation on social media with the hashtag #KissAGingerDay, spreading positivity for redheads everywhere.
- For those without a ginger in their life, you could give virtual kisses by sending fun memes or videos celebrating redheads.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
