Gen X parents craving Saturday-morning nostalgia are in luck. Airbnb and Paramount Animation have created a one-day Smurf experience in Annevoie, Belgium, to celebrate The Smurfs Movie opening on July 18, 2025. Two families, each with up to four travelers, will step inside Papa Smurf's mushroom house on August 3 for crafts, archery, and blue treats, all at no cost. Booking opens July 16 at 12 p.m. CEST (6 a.m. EST), so be ready.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Rare, nostalgia-driven family event
- Booking window: July 16, first-come, first-served
- Price: Free; travel to Belgium is extra
- Capacity: Two sessions, four guests each
- Site: Annevoie forest, 72 kilometers (45 miles) south of Brussels
Snapshot • Blue Magic in Belgium
Papa Smurf's red-cap cottage sits in lush woodland near Annevoie. Guests begin with a fizzy Smurfberry drink, then decorate hats around Papa's wooden table. Outside, families explore forest trails and test woodland archery. A picnic of blue cakes, Belgian fries, and sky-blue ice cream fuels a dance lesson on an open-air stage. Four hours later, visitors leave with custom hats and brag-worthy photos.
Background • From Comics to Cottage
The Smurfs first appeared in Belgian comics in 1958 and hit U.S. television in 1981, anchoring Gen X childhood. Airbnb often turns pop culture into headline-grabbing stays, while Paramount uses real-world activations to boost film buzz. Hosting duties fall to Nicolas Tytgat, grandson of series creator Peyo, grounding the promotion in family legacy.
Latest Developments • Limited Spots, High Demand
Booking rules. Families need an active Airbnb profile; one request covers one group. Because the experience is free, no credit card hold applies. Film tie-in. Paramount's official site confirms Smurfs will debut in theaters on July 18, 2025. ([Paramount][2]) Daily schedule. Activities mirror scenes from the new movie: hat making, archery drills, and a choreographed dance set to a soundtrack single. Food skews Belgian yet blue. Travel logistics. The forest site lies 80 kilometers (50 miles) by road from Brussels Airport (BRU). Public buses run infrequently, so a rental car or pre-booked transfer is essential.
Analysis
For U.S. visitors, airfare to Belgium averages $ 850 USD round-trip in late summer. Mid-range hotels in Brussels cost € 150 (EUR) (approximately $ 163 USD) per night. Taxi transfers to Annevoie may run € 140 (EUR) (approximately $ 152 USD) round-trip. Because the event cannot be rescheduled, consider "cancel for any reason" Travel Insurance. Have a backup plan-such as the Belgian Comic Strip Center-if you miss the booking race.
Final Thoughts
Set alarms for July 16, preload your Airbnb details, and CLEAR your calendar for August 3. Pack comfortable shoes and clothes that can handle forest paths, and prepare kids for possible disappointment if slots vanish. If you secure a place, embrace the whimsy, capture photos, and hum the classic theme on the drive back to Brussels. A Smurf day in Belgium is a once-in-a-blue-moon memory.