Drop in for an up-close look at the club’s permanent HO scale model railroad layout that occupies 1,800 square feet during the Lake County Model Railroad Club Fall Open House
11 a.m. to 4 p.m Nov. 19 and 20, 107 S. Main Street, Wauconda.

November 17 

Lake Zurich Rotary Fall Festival 

6-9 p.m. 

Consume Restaurant, 569 W. Route 22, Lake Zurich 

$40 

Enjoy craft beer and wine pairings with a variety of seasonal hors d’oeuvres in this fall fundraiser for the Lake Zurich Rotary Club. The event also includes music, raffles and silent auction prizes. To RSVP, and for more information, call (847) 340-0262 or send an email to lzrotary@gmail.com.

November 18 

Santa Claus is coming to Town 

7-9 p.m. 

Hawthorn Mall, 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills 

$3 (per child) 

This event in Hawthorn Mall’s Gap Court features live entertainment, a kids craft, milk and cookies, and prizes — and a chance for kids to get their picture taken with Santa Claus before the holiday rush. Tickets are available for purchase at Snickelfritz Toys, located on the mall’s lower level. For more information, call (847) 362-2600 or visit www.shophawthornmall.com.

November 19 

The Science of ‘The Martian’ 

2-3 p.m. 

Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County Street, Waukegan 

Free 

In this adult program, Michelle Nichols of the Adler Planetarium will discuss what filmmakers got right — or wrong — from a scientific viewpoint in the popular movie, “The Martian.” Nichols will also highlight technological advancements that may be seen in a real mission to Mars. To register, and for more information, call (847) 623-2041 or visit www.waukeganpl.org.

November 19 

Jackie’s Magic Food Drive 

7 p.m. 

Warren Township High School, 500 N. O’Plaine Road, Gurnee 

Donations 

Bring a non-perishable food item as admission to support the Warren Township Food Pantry, and enjoy a magic show starring Mark & Sue Holstein in memory of Jackie Stanislawski, a young woman from the area who was single-handedly sponsoring a food drive before being killed in a 2003 car accident. For more information, call (847) 244-1101, send an email to jackiesmagic@att.net or visit www.jackiesmagic.weebly.com.

November 19 

Mundelein Market Holiday Fair 

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Mechanics Grove Elementary School, 1200 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein 

$5 (adults), free (under age 16) 

This craft and vendor fair, presented by the School District 75 Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), features crafters, artists, makers and small business owners providing a unique shopping experience for the holidays. The event also includes food, a raffle and the Cookie Walk. All proceeds will benefit the Dist. 75 PTO. For more information, call (847) 949-3288 or visit www.mundelein.org.

November 19, 20 

Lake County Model Railroad Club Fall Open House 

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (each day) 

Lake County Model Railroad Club, 107 S. Main Street, Wauconda 

Free 

Drop in for an up-close look at the club’s permanent HO scale model railroad layout that occupies 1,800 square feet during this open house event, which also includes a scavenger hunt for kids. Attendees who bring an item for the Wauconda Food Pantry will receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win a door prize. For more information, call (815) 388-4301 or visit www.lcmrr.org.

November  20 

Early Music Series: Second City Musick 

4 p.m. 

Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake 

$20 (adults), free (under age 16) 

Second City Musick, a violin and viola trio that performs music from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods, will play songs from the first-known book of printed music, published in 1501. Tickets are available at the door only via cash or check (no credit cards). For more information, call (847) 548-4062 or visit www.libertyprairie.com.

November 20 

Thanksgiving Nature Scavenger Hunt 

1-3 p.m. 

Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago 

$2 (residents over age 4), $3 (non-residents over age 4), free (under age 3) 

Walk along a designated trail searching for clues in this Lake County Forest Preserve District scavenger hunt, and then enjoy Thanksgiving food-themed s’mores around a bonfire. Registration is required. To register, and for more information, call (847) 968-3477 or visit www.lcfpd.org.

November 21 

Family Movie Trivia 

7-8 p.m. 

Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire 

Free 

This family program (grades K and up with an adult) offers a set of movie trivia challenges, including questions about live-action and animated films from Disney and DreamWorks, as well as timeless classics such as “The Wizard of Oz.” Compete as a team to win prizes. To register, and for more information, call (224) 543-1486 or visit www.vapld.org.