On May 19, 1998, Barney's Big Surprise was released on VHS, having the show filmed at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina from December 13-14 [5], 1997. The first live show in which the character voices were pre-recorded, unlike previous shows where they were performed live. Excited that the audience doesn’t know what the surprise is, she proceeds to hop up and down wanting to tell them, leading into “The Baby Bop Hop” joined by two bunnies. From the totally tee-riffic treehouse to Tinkerputt's toy factory, this is one celebration full of fun and music you won't soon forget.

He then takes the audience to the treehouse where they’re introduced to Kevin, Cindy, Tony, and Rachel respectively. The show made its world premiere on September 10, 1996 at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Seeing that not all the guests are here, Barney suggests that they imagine eating treats instead, leading into the song “If All the Raindrops”.

It was the third Barney live show to be released on home video following Barney in Concert and Barney Live! Coleman requested one million dollars and the best Rock ‘n’ roll tour manager he can find, which became the basis for Barney's Big Surprise. In New York City where its vocals for the " Barney Theme Song" are sung differently compared to the one that was used from the television series. a child with his/her voice being heard off-screen would usually say their introductory lines before Barney comes to life through the curtains as he greets the audience. After the song ends, Barney notices that he has so many friends in the audience, that he can’t see everyone’s smiles, leading him into the song, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, so he knows that everyone is happy.

Let's Go to the Farm • Just Imagine • Everyone Is Special • The Land of Make Believe • Can You Sing That Song?

Professor Tinkerputt proceeds to ask if anyone else came with the dinosaurs, in which Barney lets him know that the audience is behind him.