If you want to listen to the sounds of an orchestra, chat in a romantic book club, or even get your last pumpkin fix of the season, Howard County has you covered. This week in the county, there are enough events to keep you busy that you won’t have time to realize how quickly the end of the year is approaching.

Grab your friends, family and your warmest sweater and pick out some of these events around the county for the week ending November 20.

Romantic Book Club

6:40 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday

Join the Evening Romance Club at Queen Takes Book, an independent bookstore in Columbia, to read and discuss “Act Your Age, Eve Brown” by Talia Hibbert. The British novelist has released numerous romance novels and copies of her 2021 book discussed will be available at the store at a 10% discount.

Book club tickets are free.

A play of murder and mystery

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Keep the Halloween ghosts coming with an immersive experience a murder mystery play at the Laurel Mill Playhouse. “A Murder Is Announced,” an Agatha Christie novel originally published in 1950, will take the stage in a 1970s adaptation.

Tickets for the two-act play are $20 for general admission and $15 for those 18 and under, 65 and older and active duty military. Tickets must be purchased in advance online.

The turkey waddles

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday

Bring your little turkey and devour your way through North Laurel Park. There will be a self-paced walk with activities for the kids, and there will also be a perfect turkey gift for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Tickets are $10 for North Laurel Community Center members and $15 for non-members. available online.

Pumpkin Palooza

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

Say goodbye to pumpkin season by bringing your jack-o-lanterns and uncarved and painted pumpkins to Pumpkin Palooza to be composted. All decorations such as candles, lights and plastic bags must be removed from the pumpkins before they are sent to the Alpha Ridge Landfill.

There will be games, crafts, food trucks, a compost bin giveaway and much more. The event is free and open to all at the Howard County Library System, Miller Branch.

Brunch slide

Doors at 11 a.m., event 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Sunday

Choose your team: Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter or Charli XCX at the power-pop girls drag brunch. Show up for your team by wearing their colors: pink for Roan, blue for Carpenter, and green for Charli XCX.

Tickets for the show costs $28.52 including fees and must be purchased in advance. The event will take place at Lost Ark Distilling Co. in Columbia.

Dog Nose and Yoga Poses

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday

Make a new furry friend at the cutest yoga class at Columbia’s Pearl Spa. There will be rescue dogs and puppies doing yoga poses like downward dog alongside the class, and for 15 minutes after the class there will be a “snuuggasana” session with the dogs.

Tickets are no longer available, but you can join the waiting list here.

Chamber concert

4 p.m. Sunday

End your week with the relaxing sounds of the Columbia Orchestra playing classic tunes. The hour-long show will take place at Glenelg United Methodist Church and string, woodwind and brass players will play songs by composers including Ralph Vaughan Williams and more.

TThe event is free and open to all.