The City of New Orleans is gearing up for the first big weekend of Carnival parades. Two dozen parades will roll starting Friday night through Sunday. Sign up for our NewslettersHere's a look at the parade forecast this weekend | Download the WDSU Parade Tracker appBelow is a schedule of all the parades you can track with the WDSU Parade Tracker app this weekend.

As a group, the first weekend parades really don’t get the publicity or critical acclaim they deserve. And while none rivals the size of Endymion or Bacchus or the grandeur and tradition of Rex, each krewe makes its own contribution to Carnival.

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.