Tim Allen -- MARCHING BAND BIRTHDAY SURPRISE ... Inside a Movie Theater!!!

Tim Allen celebrated the big 6-0 last night like any newly-minted sexagenarian ... by taking in a quiet movie with friends -- but that plan fell through big time when a MARCHING BAND stomped through to wish him a happy birthday!!!!!

We're told Tim's friends were behind the birthday prank -- and it's hilarious. Tim even cracks a few zingers afterward.

For those interested, we're told Tim and his friends rented out the whole theater to see the new "Superman" movie ... but based on the reviews, the marching band was probably the highlight.