On July 5th, celebrate Independence Day weekend with Democrats Abroad UK Brighton, Sussex & Lewes Team for an unforgettable afternoon of speeches, comedy, music, history, and - most importantly - voting in Thomas Paine’s hometown: Lewes, East Sussex!

All are welcome, but we especially encourage the 300,000 Americans living in the UK to make the pilgrimage. Turn it into a summer weekend getaway and request your 2026 voting ballot from the very town where it all began!

Why join us in Lewes? Did you know, the legendary Thomas Paine lived in Lewes! His revolutionary pamphlet "Common Sense", published in January 1776, transformed scattered sporadic acts of rebellion into a movement for independence. America was born from an idea - one that can still be summed up in two words: NO KINGS! (Oh all right then.. NO TYRANTS.. as we say today). Join us as we celebrate democracy, civic action, and the enduring power of people raising their voices together.

 As Paine once said "tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph"

Main Event | 2:00–4:30 PM

📍 Lewes Town Hall

Expect an afternoon packed with inspiration, entertainment, activism, and community featuring:

• Democrats Abroad UK Chair Cherryl Martin
• Sarah Churchwell, Chair of Public Understanding of the Humanities and Professor of American Literature at University College London
• Paul and Carol Kelly, renowned performers of The Great American Songbook
• Erich McElroy, American stand up comedian and political satirist
• USA country-themed line dancing run by our DAUK Youth Caucus
• Voter registration assistance from our Get Out To Vote (GOTV) Team
• Meet with Democrats Abroad UK Caucuses & Committees
• The Bobbleheads
• Readings and dramatisations of Tom Paine and his ever-relevant Common Sense

Make a Full Day of It!

Want to level up your Lewes adventure? We’ve created a series of exclusive small-group add-on experiences you can bundle with your main event ticket at checkout. These special experiences have very limited capacity and are expected to sell quickly - so grab your spot while you can!

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Guided Walking Tour of Lewes Town- Step into the streets that shaped Thomas Paine himself with a charming guided tour through beautiful historic Lewes. Discover hidden stories, revolutionary history, and the atmosphere of one of England’s most fascinating towns.

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Tour of Thomas Paine’s House - Go beyond the history books with a rare guided and narrated visit inside Thomas Paine’s home, offering a powerful connection to the ideas that helped change the world.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: White Hart Inn Revolutionary Soirée - End the day in spectacular fashion. Join fellow attendees in the very room where Thomas Paine once debated ideas before the American Revolution. Raise a glass to democracy, soak in the atmosphere, and celebrate alongside Americans abroad in one of Lewes’ most historic settings. Your ticket includes a complimentary drinks token. 

Thomas Paine made a pamphlet - and so did we! At checkout, you’ll also have the opportunity to add a copy of Stars & Gripes, our Democrats Abroad art magazine curated by the Youth Caucus. Featuring 27 creative submissions from Democrats Abroad members around the world, this striking collection reflects on the current political and social climate in the United States through art, writing, photography, and visual storytelling. It’s funny, moving, thought-provoking, and a powerful snapshot of Americans abroad in this moment.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT TICKETING:

All guests must hold a ticket to access this event and its related add-ons. Please purchase tickets here.

COMMUNITY TICKETS: We are reserving a limited number of free community tickets for Sussex residents on a first-come, first-served basis. If demand exceeds availability, recipients will be selected by lottery. If you would like to be considered, please complete the Google Form here. Successful applicants will be contacted a few days before the event.

Any questions regarding ticketing, please contact both [email protected] and [email protected] 

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Democrats Abroad UK is entirely volunteer-run and donor-supported, and financial contributions help fund our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts to support Americans across the UK in registering to vote and exercising their voting rights. As part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations, Democrats Abroad UK is currently on “The Road to 250,” an initiative to host 250 local events and voter outreach activities across the country. Your support helps make this work possible.

Please note that Democrats Abroad UK is subject to Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations and may only accept payments from US citizens.