The Solstice arrives this week, at about 8 p.m. on Friday, our longest day of the year. The weather forecast is looking pretty good, so it should be nice to get outside and enjoy some sunshine.

But in advance of that moment, you can toast the new celestial season at the Hot Club, with the eclectic Green Drinks crowd. A diverse group of eco-interested people from around the state gather each month for this open-to-all event. Drop in anytime from 5 to 8 and say hello.

Saturday is Rivers Day, and there are several events happening this weekend to celebrate. You can join free one-hour guided tours of the Blackstone River, into the Valley Falls Pond and wetlands complex, all day Saturday. Also on Saturday, the Scituate Conservation Commission leads a late-afternoon paddle on the beautiful upper Pawtuxet River, from Hope Pond up to the Gainer Dam and back.  Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the sunset after the paddle. Or explore Buckeye Brook in Warwick, or the Kickemuit in Bristol. On Sunday, there's a two-hour trip on the Narrow River, kayak rentals are available.  Check NNN's Community Calendar for all the details and contact info on these events, and more.

If rivers are not for you, Saturday is also the awesome RI Wild Plant Society garden tour. If you have a yard or garden and would like to be inspired to use more native plants and other eco-friendly techniques, here is your chance to get lots of ideas. Click here for all the info. 

Sunday, the folks at Ladd Observatory host a Solstice celebration, from 1 to 4 in the afternoon, weather permitting. The front lawn is offered for picnic-ing, the historic Ladd Observatory will be open for tours, and you can safely view the Sun through their new H-alpha telescope. If it's cloudy or raining, the event will be rescheduled.

You can find plenty more events for the whole family, from farmers markets to hikes and bike rides, to art shows, workshops, and more, at our NNN Community Calendar, ably provided for us by What Grows On in R.I.