How long has it been since you did the Hokey Pokey? You'll get your chance at Galveston Mardi Gras.

More than 350,000 revelers are expected to participate in this year's celebration, which kicks off 12 days of parades and parties Friday.

The 105th edition of carnival boasts more than 30 concerts, 24 parades and enough beads to fill one of the island's iconic pyramids.

The shenanigans kick off with one of newer parades, the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade. Now in its sixth year, the parade concludes in front of the Tremont House, where parasol-pumping participants do the Hokey Pokey.

Other must-see parades include Krewe of Gambrinus, which features a dozen lighted floats rolling down Seawall Boulevard; Knights of Momus, which is the island's largest parade; and the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius, which for the past 20 years has capped Mardi Gras festivities on Fat Tuesday.

One of carnival's most fun - and definitely its furriest - parades has a new route in 2016. The 18th Krewe of Barkus & Meoux will take place downtown in the Strand district. Following on the heels of the pet parade is the Mardi Gras Children's Parade with its wagons of cleverly costumed kids.

Other festivities, including many of the parades, are held within what organizers call the Uptown Entertainment District. The gated entertainment area encompasses 10 blocks of Strand and Mechanic streets in Galveston's historic downtown.

That's where you can see musical headliners Collective Soul, Cory Morrow and Dimitri's Rail. It's also where Electric Mardi Gras offers continuous electronica concerts along with laser light shows.

For a different view of Mardi Gras, consider joining one of the more than two-dozen balcony bashes, krewe parties and balls that will be held on the island. Most offer live music, a cash bar and the chance to tease strollers with beads.

Sunday is Family Gras with free admission for all and two parades honoring children's charities. The Sunshine Kids' Parade will honor families dealing with cancer and the Shriners Hospitals for Children Parade is packed with clowns and mini cars.

Mardi Gras was first celebrated in Galveston in 1867. The pre-Lenten festival of feasting was suspended in 1941 by World War II. The tradition was revived in 1985 by Galveston native and developer the late George P. Mitchell.

Galveston's two-week celebration now is the third-largest carnival in the United States.

Here are highlights of this year's festivities. All take place in the entertainment district unless otherwise specified.

Friday

7 p.m.: George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Parade

7:30 p.m.: Bare Necessity concert

8 p.m.: Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade

10 p.m.: Krewe da Yaga's Parade

Saturday

11 a.m.: Mambo Jazz Kings concert

Noon: Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Mardi Gras Parade (starts on Seawall)

1 p.m.: Zaniest Golf Cart Parade

6 p.m.: Krewe of Gambrinus Parade (starts on Seawall)

6 p.m.: Collective Soul concert

Sunday

11:45 a.m.: Kevin Anthony concert

1 p.m.: Sunshine Kids Parade

3 p.m.: Shriners Hospitals for Children Parade

Tickets for Mardi Gras are $17 at the gate.

Feb. 5

8 p.m.: Krewe Babalu Parade

9:30 p.m.: Krewe of Maximilian Parade

10:30 p.m.: Cory Morrow concert

Feb. 6

9 a.m.: Krewe d' Espirite Rosaire Battle of the Bands

2:30 p.m.: Neauxs Krewe Parade

3 p.m.: San Luis costume contest; 409-744-1500

6:30 p.m.: Knights of Momus Grande Night Parade (starts on Seawall)

8:30 p.m.: Dimitri's Roll concert

Feb. 7

1 p.m.: Krewe of Barkus & Meaoux Parade

2 p.m.: Mardi Gras Children's Parade

2:30 p.m.: Rapture concert

Feb. 9

6:30 p.m.: Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade

Many Galveston hotels and restaurants offer special promotions that include Mardi Gras admission.

Find a complete Mardi Gras schedule, parade details and deals at mardigrasgalveston.com.