You don't have to leave the dog at home on Saturday. The National Gallery of Australia and National Portrait Gallery are opening up their grounds to pooches for a free doggy day out.

From 9am at the NGA there's a Versailles-themed doggy photo booth, dog art, French-themed food - for humans and canines - plus live music, curator talks, best dressed dog competitions and activities for kids in the sculpture garden. Plus the Versailles: Treasures from the Palace exhibition is on inside for humans. Then from 11am, the activities move next door to the Portrait Gallery where there will be animal portrait drawing, live music, pet-friendly stalls, young AFP canines to pat, and activities for the kids. Keeping with the animal theme, the Popular Pet Show is also on, with pet minders available to look after pooches while their human companions visit the exhibition.

See portrait.gov.au/calendar/paws-for-art.

Lull Gallery, at 131 City Walk, is hosting a summer fashion market on Saturday from 11am-2pm. There will be local Canberra designers selling their wares, as well as quality vintage for sale. And it's not just all about the fashion - Braddon's Barrio Collective Coffee will be there with their filter coffee and cold brew, plus Juniper Bar and Cocktails will be selling their homemade sodas. See facebook.com.

WA's Feral Brewing is taking over the taps at The Durham on Saturday, with five beers on offer, plus a three-course pork and beer matching dinner that night. $49 per person. Bookings essential on 6295 1769.

Patrick White Lawns will host the Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinemas again this weekend. Friday night is Christmas comedy Office Christmas Party (MA). Saturday night is kids flick Trolls (G), and Sunday night is new Star Wars spin-off Rogue One (M). Friday and Saturday gates open 6:30pm, Sunday gates open at 5.30pm. Film starts at sunset. Tickets at openaircinemas.com.au/canberra/home.

Three Canberra companies have teamed up for this adults-only mini-festival of shows at Canberra Theatre Centre that includes a punk-rock Hamlet from Ophelia's viewpoint, a bathtub philosopher and a meditation on humanity and animals, as well as a dance party. It's on Friday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets at canberratheatrecentre.com.au.

The University of Canberra Capitals will host the Bendigo Spirit on Saturday at 7pm for round 15 of the Women's National Basketball at Southern Cross Stadium, Greenway. Tickets at wnbl.com.au/uc_capitals/.

The Australian Ballet presents a condensed, narrated adaptation of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet aimed at introducing young audiences to dance theatre. The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre. Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Tickets $34-$49 from canberratheatrecentre.com.au.

See and learn about some of Australia's reptiles and frogs at the Botanic Gardens - there's venomous snakes, pythons, dragons, goannas, geckos, large skinks, legless lizards, turtles tree frogs and other frogs. 10am-4pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Talks and animal feedings at 11am, 2pm and 3pm. $3-$6 at the door or at actha.org.au.