Best bets: Nightmare on Chicago Street takes over Elgin
Monster bash
Nightmare on Chicago Street is a Halloween party that takes over eight city blocks in downtown Elgin between Douglas Avenue and Villa Street. There are entertainment stages, bands, food, graffiti artists and special guests such as Svengoolie. $12-$15; $25 with VIP parking. Aimed at audiences ages 17 and up. Anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult. nightmareonchicagostreet.com. 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
Before the slopes
Winter recreation enthusiasts won't want to miss meeting up with retailers, resort representatives and more at the 2018 Windy City Ski & Snowboard Show this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12. (847) 303-4100 or windycityskiandsnowboardshow.com. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21
Historic hauntings
Recreations of historic structures are remodeled as H.H. Holmes' Murder Castle, Lizzie Borden's home and other scary locales as part of the interactive All Hallow's Eve haunted happening this weekend at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $20. Not recommended for small children. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19 and 20
Humor in exile
See why comic and satirist Bassem Youssef, often billed as the "Egyptian Jon Stewart," had to leave his homeland when he performs tonight at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $38-$43. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
Carpenters tribute
Celebrate the music of The Carpenters when the tribute show "Close to You" plays at two locations this weekend: first at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $25-$35. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org; then on Sunday at the Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $30-$35; $29-$34 seniors. $10 kids. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in Batavia; 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, in Grayslake
Southside blues
The Logan Center Blues Festival features seminars and concerts featuring Chris Thomas King, Ruthie Foster, Charlie Musselwhite and more this weekend at the Logan Center for the Performing Arts, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. $15-$25 general admission; $35 evening concerts. (773) 702-2787 or loganbluesfest.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19 and 20; 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21
Apple brews
Sample seasonal beers and alcoholic apple drinks from more than 45 local breweries at the Cider and Ale Festival on Saturday at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $55-$60; $75-$80 VIP admission; $15-$20 designated driver admission. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20; noon VIP admission
Chicago Baer
Chicago a cappella teams with WTTW's celebrated Windy City documentarian for the two remaining concerts of "Chicago, Chicago with Geoffrey Baer" this weekend at two locations: first at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; then at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $35-$43; $32 seniors. (773) 281-7820 or chicagoacappella.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in Evanston; 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, in Naperville
Spooky shopping
There are costume contests, a Gothic Illusion Show and more activities as part of Zurko Promotions' Haunted Halloween Flea Market on Saturday at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. $7; kids ages 12 and under admitted free. (715) 526-9769 or zurkopromotions.com. 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 20; show at 7 p.m.