Dig out your rainbow flag, face glitter and placards as Pride season is here.

With so many Pride events taking place right here in Kent over the next few months, there are plenty of opportunities to be out, loud and proud this summer.

DARTFORD PRIDE

Dartford launched its first Pride festival last year and pulled in some decent headliner acts including singer Gareth Gates and Britain’s Got Talent winners Twist and Pulse.

This year, the town is determined to follow up with another successful year, featuring Kent’s own RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star River Medway and Strictly Come Dancing’s Graziano Di Prima.

There will also be performances from drag artist Queenz, a West End megamix from stage stars Carl Mann (Wicked), Courtney Stapleton (Six) and Scott Sutcliffe (Mamma Mia), and it’ll all be hosted by former X Factor contestant Anton Stephans.

Families can enjoy a number of activities in the town centre and Orchard Theatre, including a parade, face painting, drag storytime, West End workshops and local variety show Dartford’s Got Talent.

Details: Saturday, July 22 in Dartford town centre and the Orchard Theatre. Other activities, such as workshops and storytime, take place from Tuesday, July 25 to Thursday, July 27. Entry to the main Pride event is free, but individual activities may be ticketed separately.

DEAL PRIDE

For the first time, Deal will be hosting its very own Pride event. The town is set to make its rainbow-filled debut this July.

The day begins with a traditional march, which will take place along the High Street, down the seafront promenade and past Deal Castle until it reaches Walmer Green.

The Pride on Walmer Green party will then begin, with local LGBTQ+ performers putting on a show on the bandstand. There will also be food and drink stalls and charity organisations set up on the green.

Details: Saturday, July 15 in Deal town centre and Walmer Green. Entry is free but you must register for a ticket in advance here.

DOVER PRIDE

While performers are still to be announced for this year’s Dover Pride, the annual parade is set to return to the town this August.

The march will take place from Biggin Hall to the Roman Lawn, where there will be a live performance space set up with music and entertainment, a bar, sponsor tables, LGBTQ+ organisations tables and a market.

Details: Saturday, August 26 at Biggin Hall and the Roman Lawn in Dover. Entry is free, but you need to register in advance to take part in the march.

FAVERSHAM PRIDE

We’re still waiting on a date for this summer’s Faversham Pride, but organisers West Faversham Community Association have confirmed that the event’s family garden party and adults-only night are both returning.

The garden party takes place during the day and is suitable for all ages, with live music, games and children’s activities.

Then, later in the evening, there will be an over 18s party bursting with glitz and glam, with drag acts and a house DJ billed to appear.

FOLKESTONE PRIDE

For the first time since the pandemic, the Pride march is taking place once again in Folkestone.

The parade itself will start from the Town Hall and finish up at the bandstand at the Leas, where there will be a programme of free performances from 2pm.

Organisers haven’t revealed any names for the outdoor stage just yet, but there will also be food and drink stalls, craft stands, workshops and drag story time.

An after party will also be held at the Leas Cliff Hall from 7pm, with even more live music and entertainment, but you’ll need to buy a separate ticket if you want to attend.

Details: Saturday, July 29 at the Town Hall and the Leas in Folkestone. Entry is free, but you need to register in advance to take part in the march. A separate ticket is required for the afterparty.

MARGATE PRIDE

This summer, Margate Pride returns to vintage fairground Dreamland, with a jam-packed line-up of artists performing on the outdoor Scenic Stage.

The headline set comes from ‘90s girl group B*Witched, with support from Steps singer Claire Richards and Blue band member Duncan James.

The day wouldn’t be complete without some of the UK’s top drag artists. Jonbers, Just May and Le Fil will be putting on a show, and the whole celebration will be hosted by Kent’s own River Medway.

Once the sun goes down, the party continues in the Hall by the Sea indoor venue with a late night disco from former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, Dame Jame and Mr Theo.

Details: Saturday, August 12 at Dreamland in Margate. Tickets cost £25 and can be purchased online here. Tickets for the after party must be purchased separately.

MEDWAY PRIDE

Last year’s Medway Pride took to the streets of Rochester for the first time. The parade attracted more than 2,500 people and is back for what hopes to be another successful march.

There was also a festival held at Rochester Castle with performances from the likes of Kelly Wilde and Kent’s own Dolly Parton impersonator Sarah Jayne and a creative fringe festival with workshops, exhibitions and talks.

The full details of what to expect at this year’s six-day event haven’t been confirmed, but organisers have announced the line up for the event on Saturday.

Former X-Factor winner Sam Bailey will be headlining the show, with support from Voice UK contestant Jamie Johnson, dance singer Tara McDonald, singer Vicky Jackson and tribute acts to P!nk, Cher and Kylie.

Drag performers Mary O’Kart and Mary Golds will also be taking to the stage over the weekend.

Details: Monday, August 14 to Saturday, August 19 in Rochester town centre. Tickets are free and can be booked online here.

SWALE PRIDE

Sheerness is the home of this year’s Swale Pride, with LGBTQ+ residents, visitors and supporters all expected to flock to the island this September.

In true 2023 fashion, two TikTok stars will be headlining the event. Granty B (@iamgrantyb) and Charlie Hayes (@strawberry.hayes), who have more than 320k followers between them on the social media platform, will be joined by Glitterbomb DJ Ben Aldridge, comedian Pussy ‘Kat’ Bangkok and rock bands Dirty and Toxic Rat Party.

Details: Saturday, September 2 at the Oasis Academy in Sheerness. Ticket information to be announced.

TONBRIDGE PRIDE

Tonbridge Pride made its debut last year at Tonbridge Castle, with a number of performers and traders setting up shop in the historic grounds.

This August it’s set to return and, while the names of the performers set to appear haven’t been announced yet, the poster promises arts and crafts, food and drink, fashion and charities.

Last year there was also a parade that took place through the town and the main event was split into family-friendly entertainment in the daytime and an adults-only party in the evening.

Details: Saturday, August 5 at Tonbridge Castle. Entry was free last year, ticket information for this year’s event has not been released yet.