diff --git a/src/kdatetable.cpp b/src/kdatetable.cpp
--- a/src/kdatetable.cpp
+++ b/src/kdatetable.cpp
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@
     void endOfMonth();
     void beginningOfWeek();
     void endOfWeek();
+    QColor appropriateRedColor(QColor backgroundColor);
 
     KDateTable *q;
 
@@ -274,12 +275,13 @@
     if (row == 0) {
 
         //We are drawing a header cell
+        cellBackgroundColor = palette().color(QPalette::Window);
 
         //If not a normal working day, then use "do not work today" color
         if (workingDay) {
             cellTextColor = palette().color(QPalette::WindowText);
         } else {
-            cellTextColor = Qt::darkRed;
+            cellTextColor = d->appropriateRedColor(cellBackgroundColor);
         }
         cellBackgroundColor = palette().color(QPalette::Window);
 
@@ -366,7 +368,7 @@
 
             //If the cell day is the day of religious observance, then always color text red unless Custom overrides
             if (! customDay && dayOfPray) {
-                cellTextColor = Qt::darkRed;
+                cellTextColor = d->appropriateRedColor(cellBackgroundColor);
             }
 
         }
@@ -454,6 +456,16 @@
     q->setDate(m_date.addDays(7 - m_date.dayOfWeek()));
 }
 
+QColor KDateTable::KDateTablePrivate::appropriateRedColor(QColor backgroundColor)
+{
+    if (backgroundColor.lightnessF() < 0.3) {
+        return Qt::red;
+    } else {
+        return Qt::red;
+    }
+}
+
+
 void KDateTable::keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent *e)
 {
     switch (e->key()) {