Artist Tracey Emin and performer Jools Holland are to officially open the Turner Contemporary gallery later this month.

The £17m Margate gallery - one of the largest art spaces outside London - opens on April 16.

The stars will open the gallery with children from local schools, Holy Trinity and St John's.

The packed day includes the switch-on of Graham Gussin's illumination rig, a Cultural Baton caravan and Willi Dorner's Bodies in Urban Spaces performance.

Starring in the evening are local band Cocos Lovers, whose performance begins at 8pm, with the gallery open until midnight.

Victoria Pomery, director of Turner Contemporary, said: "I am thrilled to be opening the gallery on Saturday 16 April.

"It will be a momentous day for Turner Contemporary and for Margate, and the moment we open the doors and see visitors entering this fantastic new building will be very special."

The opening exhibition Revealed: Turner Contemporary Opens explores the themes of imagination, discovery, wonder and the creative spirit.

Centred on JMW Turner's extraordinary but little-known painting The Eruption of the Souffrier Mountains, the exhibition will feature the work of six major international artists Daniel Buren, Russell Crotty, Teresita Fernandez, Douglas Gordon, Ellen Harvey and Conrad Shawcross, including four new commissions.

John Kampfner, chair of Turner Contemporary, said: "The opening of Turner Contemporary marks the start of an extraordinary opportunity for Margate and Thanet to become one of the UK's most compelling culture and tourism destinations.

"I would like to pay tribute to Kent County Council and our other partners for delivering this outstanding building on time and on budget."

All events are free and entrance to the gallery is free.

For more information please visit the Turner Contemporary website.