May promises to be an action-packed month, with two public holidays and lots of events happening all over our fair city to book almost every day of your social calendar. But which among these are absolutely unmissable? Check out our roundup of 8 must-see-and-do events in May before you block your calendars this month.

Swan Lake
1 – 6 May

For the first time ever, the critically-acclaimed St Petersburg Ballet Theatre is coming to Hong Kong this month to perform their unique take on Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky’s immortal love story. Featuring prima ballerina Irina Kolesnikova, the ballet is a classic love story and charts the fraught romance of Prince Siegfried and the Swan Princess Odette, as well as the machinations of Rothbart, a villainous sorcerer.

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai. HK$445 – $995. www.hkticketing.com

Cirque de La Symphonie
11 – 12 May

Enjoy all the fun of a circus, with a soundtrack coming courtesy of a symphony orchestra, at Cirque de la Symphonie. Featuring world record holders, gold-medal winners and Olympians, every performance is a showcase for some of the world’s finest acrobats, contortionists, jugglers and dancers, alongside flawless renditions of classical masterpieces from the HK Philharmonic Orchestra. Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui. Kowloon. HK$120 – $680. www.urbtix.hk

Evita
11 May – 10 June

Winner of more than 20 major awards, the original West End and Broadway production of Evita, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical, comes to Hong Kong this month. Packed with many of musical theatre’s most memorable tunes, including Don’t Cry for Me Argentina and Oh What a Circus, the two-hour show tells the story of Eva Peron and her rise from poverty to becoming Argentina’s First Lady. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai. HK$330 – $1245. www.hkticketing.com

Bruno Mars
12 – 13 May

As a Grammy Award-winning, singer-songwriter, producer and musician, Bruno Mars needs little introduction. Having sold more170 million singles and 26 million albums worldwide, Bruno Mars is one of the best-selling artists of all time. With his 24K Magic tour coming to Hong Kong later this month, fans can expect to hear such classics as Chunky, Finesse and, of course, his worldwide hit Uptown Funk, the longest-leading Billboard “Hot 100” single of the last decade. AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau. HK$988 – $2,088. www.hkticketing.com

Affordable Art Fair
18 – 20 May

The Affordable Art Fair 2018 is set to showcase fantastic works at hugely reasonable prices from 115 local and international galleries. Collectors and art enthusiasts can choose from traditional ink paintings, sculptures, eye-catching photography and far more, all at prices ranging from HK$1,000 to $100,000. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre – Hall 3DE, 1 Expo Dr, Wan Chai. HK$100 – $200. www.affordableartfair.com/fairs/hong-kong

HK International Soccer Sevens
18 – 20 May

The world’s best seven-a-side football tournament is back for its 19th edition. At this year’s HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens, fans can see the stars of tomorrow in action, as well as witness a number of true legends take to the pitch. With strong representation from the UK, Europe and Asia, soccer fans can look forward to another thrilling weekend of intense sportsmanship. Hong Kong Football Club, 3 Sports Road, Happy Valley. www.hksoccersevens.com

 Cheung Chau Bun Festival
19 – 23 May

Every year, tonnes of buns, papier-mâché effigies of deities and lion dancers assemble on the small island of Cheung Chau to create one of the world’s quirkiest local festivals. According to legends, it originated after the island was plagued by an epidemic that killed thousands. The disease was only conquered when locals called for God Pak Tai’s help. Since then, he has been celebrated every year on Buddha’s Birthday. The highlight includes a Bun Scrambling Competition where participants scramble up a 60-foot bun tower to collect as many buns as possible within 3 minutes. Pak Tai Temple, Pak She St, Cheung Chau

Buddha Bathing Ceremony
22 May

The birthday of Lord Buddha remains one of the largest Buddhist festivals in Hong Kong. A highlight of the week-long celebration includes the ‘bathing of the Buddha’ ceremony at Po Lin Monastery. Escape the bustle of the city and embrace old traditions and customs of the Buddhist culture in this historical celebration. Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping, Lantau Island. www.plm.org.hk