Pop stars and drag queens will be paying a visit to Dartford this summer as the town hosts its very first Pride event.

The town’s Orchard Theatre, together with Dartford Borough Council, has announced a number of events to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

The main Dartford Pride event, which will take place from 3pm to 7pm on Saturday, July 2, will feature a headline performance from Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates.

The singer competed on the show in 2002 and made it to the final, but came second behind winner Will Young. He has since performed on the West End in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Les Misérables.

Also appearing at the Dartford Pride, which is a free event, is RuPaul's Drag Race star River Medway, from Chatham, Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions winners Twist and Pulse and comedian Carly Smallman.

Visitors can also enjoy plenty of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts stalls, face painting and food and drink vendors.

However, if you can’t make the main event, there will be two live shows leading up to the weekend to celebrate Pride and get you in the mood to party.

On Thursday, June 30, the ultimate Madonna tribute show, Into the Groove, will be at the Orchard Theatre.

The show recreates some of the Queen of Pop’s most iconic outfits and live tour moments and features her greatest hits, such as Holiday, Like a Prayer, Papa Don’t Preach, Vogue, Hung Up and many more.

On Friday, July 1, LGBTQ+ event organisers Glitterbomb will be bringing their fabulous variety show to the theatre with their Drag Club Night.

Starring a variety of performers including RuPaul's Drag Race finalist Baga Chipz and Britain’s Got Talent cabaret performer Danny Beard, alongside Glitterbomb’s own talented cast of drag queens, dancers and DJs, this show is a dazzling display of live entertainment,

Finally, finishing off the weekend is a fun-filled night of feel-good disco classics with Club Tropicana.

Grab your dancing shoes and head to the theatre for the Pride afterparty. The adults-only Camp Classics Disco takes place in the evening after the main event and will feature a special guest DJ playing the best pride party anthems.

Into the Groove takes place on Thursday, June 30 from 7.30pm. Book tickets online here.

Glitterbomb’s Drag Club Night takes place on Friday, July 1 from 8pm. Book tickets online here.

Club Tropicana’s Camp Classics Disco takes place on Saturday, July 2 from 8pm. Book tickets online here.