Piano prodigy

Solo pianist and Lake Forest High School sophomore Kimberly Han joins the Highland Park Strings for a classical concert at Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park. Program selections include Symphony No. 9 by Schubert. Free. highlandparkstrings.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

Students’ night to shine

Oakton Community College hosts “Art of Music/Music of Art,” an evening showcasing the artwork and music of its students in the lobby of the Performance Arts Center on the college’s campus at 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Guests can listen to performances and view original photography, paintings, drawings, 3-D art, collages and more. The student artists will be on hand to discuss their works. Free. (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21

Community concert

The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band welcomes its new conductor, Mike Madonia, as the group presents its Fall Concert at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Hear classical works, concert marches, songs from Disney films and more. Free, but donations welcome. To reserve tickets, call (847) 718-7702 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or email ahccbtickets@gmail.com. Remaining tickets will be available at the door. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

Elgin’s ‘Nightmare’

Prepare to be scared: Nightmare on Chicago Street returns to Elgin for its annual Halloween party on Chicago Street, between Douglas Avenue and Villa Street. Spooky characters, graffiti artists and special guests, plus music, food, drinks, vendors and games. Ages 17

and younger not admitted without a parent/guardian. Early-bird tickets cost $12; $15 after the first 8,000 tickets are sold. nightmareon chicagostreet.com. 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Toy mania

Six hundred exhibitors will showcase a variety of fine antique and collectible toys, dolls, playthings, holiday heirlooms and more at the 43rd Annual Chicago Toy Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. $10; free for kids 12 and younger. Free parking. chicagotoyshow.com. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

CROCtoberfest

Get up close and personal with a variety of reptiles including “Bubba,” an American alligator, at CROCtoberfest at the Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Drive, Lake Forest. Experts will discuss crocodiles and provide close-up encounters with a number of creatures. Other highlights include face painting and food. Admission is a $10 donation, which will help the Wildlife Discovery Center care for its animal residents. A portion of proceeds will help support crocodile conservation. Visitors can use the free shuttle bus service at the Lake Forest Hospital staff parking lot. (847) 810-3663 or cityoflakeforest.com. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Meet Bubba from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

‘Out of This World’

Expand your horizons when the DuPage Symphony Orchestra presents “Out of This World: A DSO Family Halloween Concert” in Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. The family-friendly performance features excerpts from Holst’s “The Planets” and films such as “Star Wars,” “E.T.” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Guests are invited to wear costumes to the show. $5-$10. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23

‘GhostWauk’ this way

Spooky! Hear stories about what “lives” in the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, after the lights go out on the “GhostWauk Tour — Tales of the Historic Genesee Theatre.” For $5, guests will take a walking tour inside the historic theater that was founded in 1927. Tours have limited space; reservations recommended. Call the Genesee Theatre’s box office at (847) 263-6300 or see genesee theatre.com. 6 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26