Teddy Rocks Festival Review: Our Family Weekend
Looking for a family-friendly festival in Dorset that’s packed with music, fun, and charity at its heart? Teddy Rocks Festival delivers all of that and more, creating a weekend experience you won’t forget.
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How Teddy Rocks Began — From Pub Gig to Powerful Charity Festival
Teddy Rocks Festival didn’t start as a big festival — it began as a tiny music night with a huge purpose. In 2011, founder Tom Newton and his family organised a small gig at The Greyhound pub in Blandford, Dorset to raise money for Teddy20, a children’s cancer charity they had started after losing Tom’s younger brother, Ted, to a rare bone cancer.
That first gig raised just £400, but it planted a seed. By 2012, the first official Teddy Rocks event at the Corn Exchange raised £2,500, and over the next few years, the festival continued to grow — moving back to The Greyhound in 2013 and increasing funds raised each year. By 2016, the event had moved to a bigger outdoor site and brought in over £40,000.
From there, things really took off. The festival found its current home at Charisworth Farm in Blandford Forum by 2018, offering camping, multiple stages and a broader music lineup — and raising record charity totals each year. Over more than a decade, Teddy Rocks has now raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Teddy20 and partner children’s cancer charities, becoming a multi-award-winning festival with a deeply meaningful purpose.
A Festival With Heart (and a Purpose)
What makes Teddy Rocks truly special isn’t just the music — it’s the why behind it all. The festival raises money for children’s cancer charities, supporting young patients and their families through treatment, care, and research. Every ticket sold, every raffle entry, and every donation goes directly to helping children facing serious illnesses, making each weekend not just fun, but meaningful.
We attended last year and were completely blown away. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and inclusive — families are genuinely embraced, and kids are free to dance, sing, and explore without feeling out of place. You can feel the charitable mission in every corner, from volunteers sharing stories to the festival community coming together in support.
Music for All Ages
Teddy Rocks strikes the perfect balance between adult enjoyment and family fun. The live music lineup keeps grown-ups entertained, while daytime activities, safe family zones, and engaging stalls make it easy to bring children along.
Friday night was Pop Party night and we danced along to Bewitched on the main stage which was a proper blast from the past....and I couldn't believe how many song lyrics were still usefully stored in my brain! Our Friday highlight was Barrioke on the Jan Boyd stage - something that had to be seen to be believed. Shaun Williamson, aka Barry off Eastenders in a shiny red jacket, belting out karaoke classics with the audience! Elliot decided he want to get involved so he got up there and belted out a pretty decent rendition of Livin' on a Prayer. He had the entire crowd cheering him on and he came off stage grinning from ear to ear!
Our must-see for Saturday was Metallica Reloaded on the Ted Newton (main stage) - Elliot has been getting really into their music this year so it was great experience the songs live, especially the epic Master of Puppets. One act that totally took us by surprise was Slay Duggee - had no idea what to expect but their set was probably the highlight of the entire weekend! I've never heard kids songs like Baby Shark sung in the style of hardcore metal, by men dressed as dogs before, and even typing that sounds bonkers but it was brilliantly bonkers. The confetti and pyrotechnics were fun too, although the water cannon took us by surprise and I wasn't expecting to get so wet!!
Sunday afternoon had a fantastic line up of acts such as Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters and Pink tributes who were all excellent but the main draw for us was Hybrid Theory, one of the best Linkin Park tributes around. They put on a fantastic show and we really felt like we were seeing the actual Linkin Park - it was really special to experience with Elliot. I first saw Linkin Park back in 2008 and I love that he's into the same bands I grew up listening to.
Family-Friendly, Without Feeling Tame
One of the best parts about Teddy Rocks is how truly family-friendly it is — without losing the authenticity of a proper festival. The layout is easy to navigate, the atmosphere feels safe, and the sense of community is strong. I was happy for the kids to wander off on their own while we were sat enjoying the music and it felt very safe. We bumped into lots of friends too which is the beauty of it being a local festival.
Would We Go Again?
Absolutely — without hesitation. Teddy Rocks is more than a festival; it’s an experience, a community, and a reminder that music, family fun, and charity can go hand in hand.
If you’re looking for a festival that works for families, supports a fantastic cause, and leaves you feeling uplifted rather than frazzled, Teddy Rocks should be on your list.
Tickets can be found here
Have you been to Teddy Rocks, or is it on your festival wish list? Trust us — it’s one you won’t want to miss.
