San Antonio is the place to visit for Día de los Muertos or Cinco de Mayo, but the shoreside city of Galveston is the place for the festive and chaotic Mardi Gras. About halfway between the Alamo City and the holiday's true home, New Orleans, Mardi Gras! Galveston, back for its 113th celebration.

The city can draw 350,000 people during Mardi Gras — more than six times its usual population. The festivities include multiple parades, a music festival, a 5K, an Airstream rally, and more.

This year, revelers from all over can look forward to a fun, interactive contest returning to Mardi Gras! Galveston, which runs February 2-13 on the island.

The “Golden Bead” contest is back, making that quest for beads even more intense. As the name suggests, golden beads will be hidden among the endless beads thrown to partiers from floats and decks.

These beads are golden for a reason. Lucky fans who manage to grab a golden bead will be treated to one of these exclusive prizes:

• A Grand Prize Cruise: Cast off on a complimentary cruise out of Galveston for some sea-faring fun
• Galveston Island Wine Festival Hotel Package: Indulge in a glam getaway with a Galveston Island Wine Festival Hotel Package for 2024, a perfect way to savor the event in top-flight style
• Becker Vineyards Winery Tour with Hotel Stay: Uncork a curated experience with a Becker Vineyards winery tour, which is paired with a restful hotel stay in Fredericksburg
• Houston Brewery Tour Package: Beer fans will love this immersive Houston Brewery Tour package of must-hit destinations

Mardi Gras! Galveston will announce which parades will have the golden beads on its social media channels. Winners are chosen at random, depending on who catches the bead when it is thrown from a float, a rep from Mardi Gras! Galveston tells us. (A reminder that Mardi Gras! Galveston always recycles the millions of beads thrown during the fest.)

One can’t be blamed, then, if their bead quest turns more into a scavenger hunt, with these prizes up for grabs. So, be sure to keep a keen eye out for that golden glow and draw a bead on these prized trinkets.

For a full schedule of Mardi Gras! Galveston events and to purchase tickets, visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com.