250,000 people are expected at the Farmers Santa Parade in Auckland.

Tomorrow's parade is the 81st in its history, which stretches back to the 1930s when the company's founder Robert Laidlaw staged his first Grand Parade before World War II.

The event has more than 4000 volunteers helping on the day.

Parade general manager Pam Glaser says they always make sure Santa's float is the best and she's had a look at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and believes Auckland's Santa float is even better.

Ms Glaser said the parade created "life-long memories".