Weekend picks: Laughs are on with John Oliver tonight

A bloke speaks

Catch comedian John Oliver, the host of HBO's acclaimed “Last Week Tonight,” at one of his last two standup shows tonight at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $55-$78.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7 and 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

Celebration rave

Dance away 2015 at the massive music event Reaction NYE, which features acts such as Skrillex, Chance the Rapper, Get Real, Purity Ring and so many more tonight at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $89-$99 single-day pass; VIP packages also available. (847) 692-2220 or reactionnye.com. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

Goodbye 2015

The New Philharmonic's New Year's Eve with an International Twist concerts this year feature guest vocalist Emily Birsan and are performed at three different times on Thursday at Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $65. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2, 6 and 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

Jazzy celebration

Before she stars in the upcoming Paramount Theatre production of “Hairspray,” spend an evening with a multiple Jeff Award-winning Chicago actress in the special concert New Year's Eve with E. Faye Butler on Thursday at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $70. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org. 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

Bye-bye choo-choos

Time is running out to catch the holiday run of the Wonderland Express. See model trains chug by miniature Chicago-area monuments through Sunday at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $12; $10 seniors and kids. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Jan. 1-3

Brrrrr!

Brave the biting cold waters of Lake Michigan at the 17th annual Polar Bear Plunge sponsored by the Waukegan Park District and the City of Waukegan at Waukegan Beach, 201 Seahorse Drive, Waukegan. $20 registration fee to participate. (847) 360-4760 or waukeganparks.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1

Winter WonderFest

Indoor ice skating, climbing walls, decorated trees and rides, including an indoor Ferris wheel, are part of the celebration at the 15th Annual PNC Bank Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. General admission is $9 online or $10 at the door. Some activities require additional fees. Any guest under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children ages 2 and younger will receive a free-admission wristband at the box office. (312) 595-5155 or navypier.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, and Saturday, Jan. 2; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, through Thursday, Jan. 7

Snowmobiles galore

See a wide variety of one-of-a-kind snowmobiles — some dating back 92 years — at the new snowmobile exhibit at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Snowmobiles from the 1920s to the 1980s are showcased. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $8.95 for children (ages 5-12); $12.95 for seniors (65 and older); $11.95 for veterans and military with ID card; free for military in uniform and kids under age 5. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com. Museum is open daily (including New Year's Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibit runs through April

'Rescue Me' man

If you love the FX series “Rescue Me” or the American version of “Top Gear,” then don't miss comedian Adam Ferrara as he continues a standup comedy gig this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3

Jazz songstress

Lynne Jordan & the Shivers perform jazz standards and more at City Winery, 1200 Randolph St., Chicago. $25. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com/chicago. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1

Jason Picchiotti on guitar

Singer and guitarist Jason Picchiotti brings a night of acoustic rock and folk to Palatine's Durty Nellie's Friday, Jan. 1. Picchiotti is a staple on the local scene, having played various venues in the northwest suburbs, including the Lamplighter Inn, Mac's on Slade, Long Grove's Chocolate Fest and more. His dad, Gene, will also take the stage, channeling his best Johnny Cash. The Picchiottis will be joined for the late-night set by 2014 Suburban Chicago's Got Talent contest winner Dennis Caravello, bringing his bluesy take on acoustic rock. 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Free. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Winter French Market

Start the new year by browsing specialty baked goods, home decor items, crafts and more at the indoor Winter French Market at the Wheaton train station, 402 W. Front St., Wheaton. Free. wheaton.il.us. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Funky tribute

Groove along to Earth, Wind and Fire hit songs such as “After the Love Has Gone,” “Sing a Song” and “September” when the tribute band Shining Star performs at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Quirk quotient

Chicago-based comedian Mike Lebovitz, a winning veteran of the The Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland, shares his standup routine closer to home on Saturday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

They'll be jamming

Chicago jam band Mr. Blotto promises loads of games, activities, products and displays for toddlers up to teenagers at Mr. Blotto's Procrastinators Ball on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Guests are invited to bring noisemakers and party favors to celebrate the new year on the day after New Year's Day. $15-$25. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Chasin' Mason

The Wisconsin-based country/rock band Chasin' Mason headlines at Austin's Fuel Room in Austin's Saloon & Eatery, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. Admission is $8. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Fall Grande Finale Concert

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra will take part in the Northbrook Public Library's 23rd Annual Fine Arts Fall Grand Finale Concert titled “Golden Age of Classical Music.” Performers include violinist Sarah Michelle Greene, cellist Mark Lekas and double bass player Collins Trier. Free. (847) 272-6224 or northbrook.info. The Northbrook Public Library is at 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan 3

Co-Stanza hits HOB

Co-Stanza (otherwise known as Naperville's Jack Costanza) has been writing about young life in the suburbs since 2012, but in 2014 he decided it was time to put the words to music. Co-Stanza's primary tool is his lyrical rapping, but he also weaves in elements of pop, as in the heartfelt ukelele-driven “Letters.” Catch him at the House of Blues Sunday, Jan. 3, when he headlines a set of local talent, including Hoffman Estates' hip-hop artist Fiction, Park Ridge-born Underground Empire, The Pigeon Boys, Naperville's Karina and Lady First, alternative pop rockers hailing from Wheaton. 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at House of Blues Chicago, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Tickets are $10 from a band member or $15 at the door. (800) 745-3000 or concerts.livenation.com.

Upcoming concerts

New Philharmonic: New Year's Eve with International Twist: 2, 6 and 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $65. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

New Year's Eve with the Bronx Wanderers: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $125. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

E. Faye Butler: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Northlight Theatre at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Jazz, pop, show tunes. $70. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.

JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, Bassel & the Supernaturals: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Emporium, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $30. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.

Kevin Mileski: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Mac's On Slade, 117 W. Slade St., Palatine. Free. (847) 907-9621 or macsonslade.com.

The Bronx Wanderers: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $125. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

Lettuce, Future Rock, Turbo Suit: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at The Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. $50 general admission, $151 for VIP. (773) 275-6800 or jamusa.com.

Lucky Boys Confusion, Farraday, Top-Shelf Lickers, Steve Knecht: 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $22 in advance, $25 at the door, $75 VIP. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Party Favor, Bixel Boys, Kings of Class, Porn and Chicken, Milk N Cooks, Stratus: 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $25 in advance, booths and VIP packages available. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.

Oliver Kiss, Zombie Mañana: 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at River's Edge Bar & Grill, 12 N. River St., Batavia. Free. (630) 406-9200 or facebook.com/theriversedgebatavia.

Chi-Way to Hell (AC/DC tribute), Ironhorse (Motorhead tribute), Facelift (Alice in Chains tribute): 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

Local H, All Eyes West, Stoop Goodnoise: 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $25. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

UFC Band: 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at BaseCamp Pub & Eatery, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

Todd Hembrook & the Hemispheres, The Crombies: 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $20. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.

The Promise Ring, Into It. Over It: 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $46 in advance, $51 at the door, table packages available. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.

Charlie Foxtrot Band: 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Petersen Road, Libertyville. $10. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com.

• Information is provided by the entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, see dailyherald.com/calendar.