Joseph Sherman, 12, shows his hands in the air as the Krewe of King Arthur parades along the Uptown route in New Orleans, Sunday, February 4, 2024. Prized throws include coveted King Arthur Grails, a wide variety of doubloons, assorted krewe trinkets and special beads. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)

Photo courtesy of New Orleans & Company Carnival is celebrated all over the world, but there’s nothing quite like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The Carnival celebrations here draw well over a million visitors each year,

This comes ahead of the first big weekend of parades, as well as the recently granted SEAR 1 rating for Mardi Gras.

The city of New Orleans closed St. Charles Avenue headed Uptown at Calliope Street on Friday to erect safety barriers ahead of the height of Carnival season. Friday's parades will kick off the first big weekend before Mardi Gras. Residents signed up for emergency notifications from the city were sent a message alerting them to the street closure.

The city of New Orleans is preparing for Mardi Gras celebrations by increasing security measures. Find out about the safety initiatives here.

The city is requiring more police officers at parades this year, putting higher costs on smaller, independent krewes vital to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras heritage.

Following the deadly January 1st attack on Bourbon Street, NOLA Public Schools is now prioritizing safety for high school bands marching in parades during Mardi Gras season.