TILBURG, Netherlands (AP) – The southern Dutch city of Tilburg is bursting with vibrant color this weekend as thousands of redheads from around the globe converge for the annual Redhead Days festival. The event celebrates the unique beauty of red hair and fosters a sense of community among attendees, showcasing a diverse array of activities.
The 2025 edition of the Redhead Days festival spans three days and features a rich program that includes music, food trucks, and specialized workshops addressing the unique needs of redheads. These workshops cover a variety of topics, from makeup tips to important information on skin cancer prevention, reflecting the festival's commitment to the health and beauty of its participants.
Organizers anticipate a turnout of several thousand attendees hailing from approximately 80 countries. The event has become a global phenomenon, attracting fans of red hair from various corners of the world who share a common bond through their hair color.
Elounda Bakker, a 29-year-old Dutch festival veteran with 15 years of experience, shared her insight about the gathering. She plays cards with friends she’s made from different countries during the festival. "I came out of curiosity mostly, just to see what it would be like not to stand out in the crowd," Bakker reflected on her first experience at the festival. She has continued attending because of the lasting friendships she has formed over the years.
Another attendee, magician Daniel Hank, traveled six hours from Germany to partake in the festivities. Proudly embracing his red hair, which had previously been a source of bullying during his youth, Hank expressed, "I think it’s really easy to recognize me because there are not that many people with a red beard, there are not many guys with long red hair." His story of transformation and acceptance resonates with many at the festival.
The Redhead Days festival is free to the public, except for a special group photo session on Sunday, which is exclusively for "natural" redheads. This exclusive event aims to capture the spirit of the redhead community. The 2013 festival notably set a Guinness World Record for the "largest gathering of people with natural red hair" when 1,672 redheads posed for a group photo.
The festival's origins trace back two decades to when Dutch artist Bart Rouwenhorst sought 15 red-haired models for an art project through a local newspaper. The overwhelming response—ten times more than expected—sparked the idea for an annual meetup, which Rouwenhorst has continued to organize through the festival's evolution into a multi-day celebration.
Rouwenhorst highlighted the sense of belonging that the festival fosters: "The festival is really amazing because all the people, they resemble each other and they feel like it’s a family." The event has clearly created a supportive environment where redheads can express pride in their unique traits and enjoy a weekend filled with camaraderie and celebration.
As attendees revel in the colorful experiences and the shared sense of identity, the Redhead Days festival in Tilburg stands as a testament to the connections formed over a common characteristic—red hair. The festival reflects not only the uniqueness of individuals but also the power of community, acceptance, and celebration of diversity.
