In American English, both "on weekends" and "on the weekends" are used, but there's a slight difference in nuance:
✅ "On weekends" → More general, referring to weekends in a habitual sense.
👉 "I usually go hiking on weekends." (Means you do this regularly on Saturdays and Sundays.)
✅ "On the weekends" → Slightly more specific, often implying contrast with weekdays.
👉 "I work during the week, but on the weekends, I relax." (Emphasizing the difference between weekdays and weekends.)
Both are correct, and many Americans use them interchangeably. 😊