5 Things To Do In NJ This Weekend: Family Fun, Jazz, Stargazing + More

NEW JERSEY — Ready to get out of the house this weekend, and find something fun to do?

Patch took a look at the calendar and rounded up five things to do in the Garden State this weekend, from Friday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 13.

Here are a few ideas for getting out and about this weekend:

Enjoy a block party and live music at the Montclair Jazz Fest (Essex County)

Some seriously cool jazz music is coming to Montclair this weekend – and much more is on the way as the Montclair Jazz Festival keeps groovin' this summer. The popular, free festival will continue with a block party on Saturday, Aug. 12, which will include 10 hours of live music in Lackawanna Plaza, with 150 Jazz House emerging musicians performing in seven big bands and a vocal choir.

Produced by the nonprofit Jazz House Kids, this festival is one of the largest in the New York City region, according to organizers. (Read more on Patch)

Attend the parade and town fair for Seaside Park's 125th anniversary (Ocean County)

The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday (rain date Sunday) and run north along Bayview Avenue to the Marina Lawn at I Street. A petting zoo, beer garden, vendors, live music, and food (of course!) will follow at the town fair, located at the Seaside Park Marina from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Read more on Patch).

Strap on your helmets for to the East Brunswick Bike Rodeo (Middlesex County)

Summer is here and the weather is perfect to bring out the bicycles. East Brunswick Township is holding a "bike rodeo" on Saturday, an opportunity for children to learn and practice their bicycle riding, and also learn how to stay safe on paths and roadways.

The Township will host the Bike Rodeo at the Community Art Center on Aug. 12, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Read more on Patch.)

Support youth athletes at the 13th annual YMCA Kids' Triathlon (Hunterdon County/Bucks County, Pa.)

The "ultimate endurance event" will see kids of all ages run, bike, and swim in this annual triathlon for young athletes. USA Triathlon is supporting the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, and all youth athletes competing in the YMCA Kids Tri with free USAT Youth memberships, according to the local Y. The event is Sunday, Aug. 13 in Doylestown, from 7:30-11 a.m.

Registration ends Saturday at 4 p.m. Age categories begin with "WeeBees" aged 3-5 (this category is sold out), and go up to adolescents aged 12-14. (Read more on Patch.)

Pick a spot to stargaze, as the Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend in the New Jersey skies:

The Perseids are known as one of the best meteor shows of the year, featuring between 50-100 shooting stars an hour and possible fireballs. The meteor shower peaks Friday and Saturday. The Perseids are most active in the predawn hours, though it’s possible to see them as early as 10 p.m., according to NASA. For the best views, skywatchers should lie flat on their back under a dark sky free of city lights. (Read more on Patch.)