The Ronald McDonald balloon is quickly deflated by his handlers on 42nd Street after receiving a huge tear on his leg during the 2019 Parade. Notably, this is the first instance of a giant balloon removal since 2005.
Despite the main attraction of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade being its signature helium balloons, they are often the most troublesome and can experience removals along the route. As a result of inclement weather, several balloons throughout the Parade's 95-year history have experienced punctures and tears so severe that the balloon must be sidelined as it is either unable to fly, or is too dangerous to do so.
Below is a list of balloons, novelty balloons and other balloon elements that were unable to complete their entire journey in the Parade, and were sidelined. Note that an asterisk indicates a unit that was temporarily removed from the lineup, and was able to rejoin after proper repairs were made.
Balloons that have been removed from the Parade[]
- 1929: Lap Dog, Gobble Turkey
- 1931: The Turk
- 1941: Santa Claus
- 1951: Rainbow Trout
- 1953: Toy Soldier
- 1956: Gorgeous Gobbler, Observer, Mighty Mouse
- 1958: Gorgeous Gobbler, Popeye
- 1964: Popeye
- 1971: All the Balloons
- 1976: Weeble
- 1978: Happy Dragon
- 1980: Snoopy
- 1982: Bullwinkle J. Moose
- 1983: Mickey Mouse
- 1986: Betty Boop
- 1989: Bugs Bunny, Snoopy & Woodstock
- 1993: Sonic the Hedgehog
- 1997: "C" Alphabet Balloon, Pink Panther, Quik Bunny, Barney, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Cat in the Hat, Cloe the Holiday Clown, Eben Bear, Petula Pig, Pennsylvania Dutch Ornament, Flower Ornament, Ice Stars
- 1998: Blue Geometric Ornament, Garfield, Spider-Man, Quik Bunny, Wild Thing, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer*
- 1999: Wild Thing, Football
- 2004: Tooey the Weeble*
- 2006: Bumpus the Weeble
- 2010: Wiggle Worm
- 2012: Uncle Sam
- 2017: Red & Green Candy Cane
- 2018: Red "Believe" Star
- 2019: Bowling Pin Balloonicle, Ronald McDonald, Blue & White Macy's Star, Love Files Up to the Sky, Gold Macy's Starflake
- 2021: Mr. and Mrs. Carrot
- 2023: Baby DINO