Kraków Emaus Tree Exhibition

Name: Kraków Emaus Tree Exhibition
Start: 2026-03-29
End: 2026-05-31
Location: Hipolit House

Open 10:00-18:00. Closed Mon. Pl. Mariacki 3

Photo by Piotr Idem.

Photo by Bogdan Krężel.

Photo by Piotr Idem.

This annual exhibit hosted by the Hipolit House showcases the entries and award-winners of Kraków's annual Emaus Tree Competition - a relatively new tradition first initiated by the Kraków Museum back in 2014. Connected to the city's Emaus Fair, held every Easter Monday since the 16th century, Emaus trees (drzewka emausowe) were wooden toys sold from the market stalls of the fair, based on pan-European 'tree of life' traditions, spring rituals of renewal and return, and pre-Christian beliefs that the souls of the dead returned as birds and rested in the trees at this time of year. The toys themselves varied in appearance, put generally consisted of a decorative stick with carved wooden leaves (the tree) and a bird figurine or bird's nest attached on top. Although these 'toys' disappeared from the stalls of the Emaus Fair after World War II, the Kraków Museum has been very active in trying to revive their creation and simultaneously invent a new Cracovian spring/Easter tradition in the successful mould of the annual Nativity Scene Competition. Has it worked?

Entries in the 2026 Emaus Tree competition.

It basically has. Although Emaus trees lack the creativity (and heritage) of Szopki Krakowskie, each year yields more participants in the competition, and thanks to over a decade of steady branding and promotion, Emaus trees are becoming a recognisable part of Kraków's Easter celebrations - particularly at the Easter Fair on the market square, where Emaus trees make up a prominent part of the decorations. Lacking a long tradition of expert craftsmanship, the barrier to entry feels much lower than Kraków's nativity scenes, and this is a recreated tradition that is very much in the process of finding its form.

At the Emaus Tree exhibit in 2026; photo by Piotr Idem.

Kraków Emaus Tree Competition & Exhibition

Emaus trees are submitted in the lead-up to Easter, and compete in six categories: Children's Trees, Youth Trees, Adult Trees, Children's Group Trees, Adult Group Trees, and Traditional Trees (while the techniques and materials are more open in the main categories, Traditional Trees must be carved from wood, painted, and have a bird on a spring at the top). All of the year's entries - over 100 in 2025 - are then displayed in the exhibition spaces of the Hipolit House and visitors can vote in the Audience category for most beautiful Emaus Tree up until the very end of the exhibit. For children a special exhibition guidebook is prepared, that explains the Easter holiday tradition and will have them hunting for hidden clues and solving puzzles throughout the displays. A nice (non-Catholic) way to celebrate Easter, especially for families, check out the work of local artists and get inspired to participate next year.