There are roughly a million Halloween events going on this weekend, which is great, because Halloween is great. But for there is other stuff going on, and this list – in addition to looking for a variety of free or inexpensive and easily accessible events, as usual – tries to tread lightly on the Halloween stuff for things that would be low-cost treats at any time of the year.

Halloween Haunted Ball from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at The Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Free, but there’s a $5 suggested donation.

Yes, it’s a Halloween party where costumes are encouraged – and there’s a photo booth to capture them the right way – but there’s more to a dance party at the Dance Complex than might be expected in your average triple-decker bash, namely pop-up performances from the pros throughout a tidy two-hour run time. There’s also light refreshments and a cash bar. Information is here.

The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Lesley University’s University Hall, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square. Free.

This showcase for artists and writers of comics in Greater Boston has more than doubled in size since launching in 2010, adding a floor of attractions and a whole day of events. Look for an exhibition area with art and books from more than 200 vendors; special guests from as far away as Los Angeles, Seattle and France; panel discussions; workshops with techniques, tips and tricks for all ages and skill levels; and Sunday “Kids Comics Day” events geared toward younger readers and budding cartoonists. Information is here.

Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Beethoven by Longy from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St., Harvard Square. Free, though $10 or $20 donations are encouraged while reserving.

While others are feeling increasing queasiness from too much chocolate and/or booze, it’s time to get classy, classically: The Longy Conservatory Orchestra has its first performance with Longy’s Sistema Side by Side Orchestra, playing Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture”; Dvorak’s “Serenade for Winds in D minor”; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Jorge Soto conducts. Information is here.

Resurrect a big band in a small space from 8:30 p.m. to midnight (for $10) at Out of the Blue Art Gallery Too, 541 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, or from 10 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday (for $5) at The Plough & Stars, 912 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square.

At the all-ages “Too Punk for Halloween” at Out of the Blue, The Four Point Restraints perform as The Clash; The Woods perform as Alkaline Trio; Blame Shifters performs as Against Me!; and Kooked Out performs as Blink 182. Information is here.

The 21-plus show “Growing Up Spooky” at The Plough & Stars doesn’t just feature music from the 1960s through the 2000s – The Dazies as The Exploding Hearts; Dirty Bangs as Nirvana; Glass House as The Jesus and Mary Chain; and Bruvs as The Beatles – but will be doing it all with a splattering of Halloween-appropriate scary scenes from such horror flicks as “Aliens”; “Evil Dead”; “The Exorcist”; “The Shining”; “Poltergeist”; “The Ring”; “Videodrome”; and “Scanners.” Information is here.

“Nosferatu” at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Harvard Square. General admission tickets are $15.

The forecast calls for rain Sunday, so it’s nice that The Brattle added a screening of F.W. Murnau’s 1922 take on the vampire legend when its 7 p.m. show sold out. The Andrew Alden Ensemble performs music live for the creepy classic. Information is here.