Three parades will roll Thursday night in New Orleans with scores of masked riders on colorful floats. More processions will continue every day through Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday. Costumed revelers will jam the French Quarter as more parades roll in New Orleans’ suburbs, other Louisiana cities, and all along the Mississippi and Alabama coasts.

Pianist Tom Worrell is featured for the weekly 6 p.m. “Booker Sessions” at the Maple Leaf Bar. Starting at 8 p.m., drummer Johnny Vidacovich is onstage with a trio ($15 advance, $20 day of show).

When people visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year, there will be additional tactical teams and overall a larger police presence than in years past.