Nightmare on Chicago Street returns to Elgin Friday as two-night event

Elgin’s streets will come alive with the undead Friday as “Nightmare on Chicago Street,” the annual zombie-themed takeover of the city’s downtown, expands to two nights for the first time in its 14-year history.

While it’s two nights, it’s not the same experience both nights.

“Nightmare on Chicago Street: The Arrival” on Friday is a new concert-focused experience featuring three national touring artists that takes place exclusively on Chicago Street with gates opening at 5 p.m.

The event features live performances by The Ataris (6 p.m.), Plain White T's (7:30 p.m.) and Gym Class Heroes (9 p.m.), along with one street’s worth of haunted attractions, food and beverage vendors and roaming performers.

There will also be access to Cirq D' Freak, the event’s twisted circus-themed zone inhabited by sinister clowns and sideshow performers.

Saturday is the traditional Nightmare experience from 6 to 11 p.m. that transforms eight blocks of the city’s downtown into an immersive postapocalyptic world featuring themed zones, live entertainment, hundreds of specialty performers, food and beverage vendors and Nightmare Alley, the event's signature haunted attraction.

Tickets for Friday and Saturday, available via a link on Nightmare’s website, are sold separately, and combination ticket packages are not available.

Prices for Friday admission range from $49 (plus fees) for general admission to $79 (plus fees) for VIP. VIP parking is available for an extra $50 (plus fees).

Saturday’s general admission tickets are $35 (plus fees). A ZDI (Zombie Defense Initiative) All Access VIP package that includes admission to exclusive experiences and spaces, as well as early entry, is $89 (plus fees). The same VIP parking rates apply to Saturday.

While anyone can be admitted, the event is intended for people 17 and older. Those who are younger will only be admitted if accompanied by an adult.

rwest@dailyherald.com