It's the unofficial first long weekend of summer and while the weather looks like it may be a little wet, a little cooler than we'd like (especially if you're itching to camp), it's not all bad.

In fact, there are lots of fun events happening in and around Waterloo region. There are, of course, Victoria Day celebrations in New Dundee Sunday night (take note: that's when the fireworks are) and throughout the day on Monday. Also you can read our story about how to keep safe if you're setting off your own fireworks (no pointing Roman Candles at each other).

There's also a juggling festival in Guelph that you could check out. Read more about that story here.

Long weekends are also a great time to hit up your local pub and enjoy some music. As people tend to go away on the long weekend, the pubs might not be as busy so you can get a seat front and centre for some amazing music.

On a more serious note, the play Guarded Girls is at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener until Sunday. The play looks at how the prison system impacts generations of women. There are both matinee and evening performances this week.

Motus III: The Euphony of Spring

7 p.m., Saturday, May 18

Cambridge Centre for the Arts, 60 Dickson St., Cambridge

This collaborative performance collective from Toronto will celebrate the arrival (finally!) of spring with narrative, poetry and music. That includes piano, strings, vocals, digital media and percussion for a "moving sensory experience," organizers say.

Elora Plein Air Festival

All weekend

Elora and around Wellington County

All weekend you may catch a glimpse of artists in and around Elora painting, sketching and making art of the buildings, farmers' fields, waterways or whatever inspires them. The four-day art competition wraps up on Sunday with a show and sale from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Elora Centre for the Arts. See who the winners are and take home a piece for your place.

Fiesta Latina: Kultrun Fundraiser

8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, May 18

Button Factory Arts, 25 Regina St. S., Waterloo

Music, dancing and community: This is one really fun way to spend your Saturday night while also supporting the Kultrun festival. The concert will feature Chile's Mambo Shakespearean and Cataes Gilda.

Guelph Poetry Slam

7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, May 18

eBar, 37 Quebec St., Guelph

If you've got what it takes, sign up for the open mic and compete for the $100 slam prize. Or, if you just want to watch, you can do that, too. This month's slam features Faylita Hicks of San Marcos, Texas, an LGBTQ writer, mobile photographer and hip-hop artist.

Luke Michielsen, Safe As Houses and The Old Salts

8 p.m. start, Sunday, May 19

The Boathouse Victoria Park, 57 Jubilee Dr., Kitchener

Local folk songwriter Luke Michielsen (The Morning Edition's host Craig Norris has played some great tunes from Luke including Every Time I Come Home), the alt-folk band Safe As Houses (think We'll Be Dancin', Alive), and Toronto-based folk-rock group The Old Salts (songs like Gone and Nova Scotia) all in one place? This is going to be a great show.

BONUS: Victoria Day in Victoria Park

12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 18, Victoria Park Gallery

11 a.m., Monday, May 20, Queen Victoria statue

There are two events in Kitchener's Victoria Park this weekend, fitting because it does honour Queen Victoria. It includes the opening of the Victoria Park Gallery which includes an exhibit on the park's swans, as well as the park's role in the two World Wars.

On Monday, there's a brief ceremony starting at 11 a.m. at the Queen Victoria statue with some speakers, then the Kitchener Musical Society Band will play a concert on Roos Island. Be sure to bring a lawn chair.