More people than ever before are expected to take part in tonight's Pride Parade in Auckland.

Chair of the Pride Festival board Kirsten Sibbit said the parade is set to be "bigger than it's been before" with several new groups becoming part of the parade.

"There's going to be more participants - the parade grows year on year as we see more people from different organisations wanting to take part," said Kibbit.

"The New Zealand Fire Service are going to be taking part for the first time, as well as a group of deaf LGBTIQ participants, so we're really getting a bit broader."

The parade kicks off at 7.30pm on Ponsonby Road.