Sofia, Bulgaria — Italian vocal trio Il Volo delivered a truly unforgettable Christmas celebration during their recent concert at the sold-out Arena 8888 Sofia, performing for nearly three hours before an audience of passionate fans. The spectacular event, filmed for Italy’s Canale 5 and scheduled to air nationally on RAI 1 on Christmas Day, transformed the evening into a holiday experience few in attendance will ever forget.
The concert opened with a radiant performance of “Angels We Have Heard on High”, as the trio appeared on a stage glowing with festive lights and crowned by a towering Christmas tree. From the very first note, it was clear this would be no ordinary show. Il Volo presented an ambitious setlist of 43 songs — an extraordinary number for a single concert — blending beloved Christmas classics with international favorites that span genres and generations.
Among the evening’s highlights were Bianco Natale, Feliz Navidad, Il Mondo, Hallelujah, Nessun Dorma, La Donna è Mobile, and Ave Maria. The trio also surprised fans with the first-ever live performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone, adding another emotional layer to an already powerful night.
Yet it was their breathtaking rendition of O Holy Night that truly held the audience spellbound. Accompanied by an Italian choir, Il Volo’s soaring harmonies and commanding high notes filled the arena with an almost reverent atmosphere. Many fans took to social media afterward, describing the performance as “magical,” “heavenly,” and “the most beautiful Christmas carol in the world.” Messages poured in from across the globe, written in multiple languages, underscoring the trio’s universal appeal.
The members — Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone — later explained why Sofia was their unanimous choice for a Christmas concert. “When we discussed where to hold our holiday show, we immediately chose Sofia,” they shared. “We have a very special connection with the Bulgarian audience, who always welcome us with such warmth. Last year, the demand was so great that we performed two concerts in one day.”
That affection was on full display throughout the evening. Fans showered the singers with flowers and gifts, prompting playful banter onstage. Barone joked about opening a flower shop with all the bouquets, while Boschetto laughed that they might need a cargo plane to transport the gifts back home.
The concert concluded with Grande Amore, the song that launched Il Volo to international fame after their victory at the Sanremo Music Festival. The entire arena sang along, many audience members visibly emotional during the first rendition and rising to their feet in a powerful standing ovation for the finale.
For nearly two decades, Il Volo has captivated audiences worldwide with their emotional intensity and vocal brilliance. Their bond with Bulgarian fans remains especially strong, and this Christmas concert in Sofia served as yet another testament to their extraordinary talent — and to the unifying power of music during the holiday season.