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Your Victoria Day long weekend is finally here whether the weather is ready or not.

It’s looking like the summer heat on Friday and Saturday will roll back to about 20 degrees on Sunday and Monday once showers move through the area. You’ll want a rain jacket or umbrella just in case but be sure to take some sunscreen on Monday.

Here are some things to do and what’s open and closed over the long weekend.

Get outside and play. Here are a few area hiking spots, tours or walks happening this weekend.

Immerse yourself with the sweet scent of lilacs. The Lilac collection is in full bloom at The Royal Botanical Gardens. Featuring over 1,000 individual lilacs representing several hundred cultivars, RBG’s collection is one of the most diverse lilac collections on the planet. The Arboretum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Timed-ticket registration is required for parking at the Arboretum, 16 Old Guelph Rd., Hamilton. Cost is $30 per vehicle, or free for members. Members do require a reservation. Parking at the Arboretum does not include admission to regular garden entrance. rbg.ca

The Royal Botanical Gardens is hosting the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour: Renewal Art Show until June 12 at the RBG Centre, 680 Plains Rd. W. It’s included in your general admission, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with last admission at 7.

See violinists Michael Schulte and Jonathan Crow, Concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, up close in violin duos — the ultimate musical conversation at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, 123 King St. W. on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at chambermusichamilton.com

Sidewalk Sounds returns to Concession Street Saturday. Hamilton artists, musicians and dancers will perform two-hour shows at four locations along the street, starting at 11 a.m. and wrapping up at 4 p.m.

Bread and Cheese Day is back for 2022. Held at the Six Nations Sports and Cultural Memorial Centre, 1738 Fourth Line, Ohsweken. Fireworks are set for around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday night. And the Tom Longboat 1-mile race is at 11 a.m. Monday and the parade is expected to follow the race at 11:30 a.m. Community members are encouraged to wear a mask in the Bread & Cheese line and if you aren’t feeling well, please don’t attend.

Hamilton Public Library, Central Branch in Hamilton’s downtown is hosting an Indigenous Market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This weekend’s featured vendors include: Beads in the Trap, Ojistoh Publishing, and Sheri Berry Designs. hpl.ca

Celebrate World Fish Migration Day on Saturday. Walk along Hamilton’s Waterfront Trail to RBG’s Fishway. Watch RBG ecologists at work as they assist migrating fish to their spawning grounds in Cootes Paradise Marsh. The Fishway is designed to keep invasive Common Carp out of the marsh, but allow water and native fish to move between the two bodies of water. Good times to go are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Parking is available at Princess Point or Hamilton Harbour Waterfront Park off Bay Street. You will need to walk to the Fishway.

Burlington Family Fun is hosting a morning of activity in La Salle Park, Area 2, geared to families on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Activities include face-painting, crafts, cookies and of course, coffee. Tickets start at $5 on eventbrite.ca.

Nothing screams summer fun like an evening at the drive in. Take a spin to Hamilton’s Starlite Drive In this weekend. Just note they are closed on Monday. The box office opens at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On the bill this weekend are: On screen 1: “the Bad Guys” at 9 p.m., “Sonic the Hedghog 2” at 10:50 p.m., and “The Lost City” at 12:55 a.m. On screen 2: “Multiverse of Madness” at 9:10 p.m., “Uncharted” at 11:25 p.m., and “Morbius” at 1:30 a.m. On screen 3: “Firestarter” at 9:20 p.m., “Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” at 11:05 p.m., and “The Northman” at 12:55 a.m. Visit premiertheatres.ca/starlite for ticket information and more.

The Hamilton Fire Department is reminding residents to set off and dispose of fireworks safely to minimize the risk of fire and burn injuries.

Family fireworks can only be discharged on private property between dusk and 11 p.m. on Victoria Day (or in case of inclement weather — during the same period on the day immediately following each holiday), in accordance with the Fireworks bylaw. Setting off fireworks on public or City property such as roadways or in parks is not permitted and may be subject to a fine.

Here are some places to go see fireworks this weekend.

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines

You’ll see them out this weekend through Hamilton and Burlington on their third annual Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in support of men’s mental and physical health. More than 100 men and women will be dressed in their Sunday finest and on vintage and classic motorcycles Sunday starting at 8:30 a.m. Click here for their route details and go to gentlemansride.com for more on how to support Hamilton’s Distinguished Gentleman's Ride.

Your Hamilton Bulldogs face off against the North Bay Battalion in Game 1 and 2 of the 2022 Ontario Hockey League Eastern Conference Championship Series at FirstOntario Centre on Friday and Sunday at 7 p.m. ticketmaster.ca

Rock lacrosse is back in town this weekend. Don’t miss the pre-game party Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. ahead of Game 2 of the East Conference Finals held at FirstOntario Centre. The fun includes food, drinks, games, giveaways and the Rock City Dancers at the corner of Bay and York. The game starts at 7 p.m. ticketmaster.ca

The Linc will be closed for maintenance next week in both direction beginning May 26 at 11 p.m. to May 30 at 4 a.m.

Victoria Day weekend is here. Monday is a statutory holiday and here is a look at what’s open and what’s not.

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