From 7 to 9 November 2025, Xàbia will once again become the perfect setting for crime, intrigue and stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The eighth edition of the Xàbia Negra festival is coming, a cultural event that has cemented its place among the country’s major crime fiction festivals.
A benchmark festival
Since its first edition, Xàbia Negra has been committed to bringing together writers, readers and lovers of the crime genre in a unique setting, where the Mediterranean light contrasts with the shadows of mystery.
For three days, the town will be filled with literary events, talks, reading clubs, cinema, theatre and music, all under the common theme of crime and intrigue.
The festival maintains its literary essence, but broadens its horizons with a multidisciplinary approach that also incorporates cinema, the performing arts and music inspired by the world of noir.
Distinguished guests
Among the prominent names in this edition is the renowned writer and journalist Rosa Montero, who will receive the 2025 La Criminala Award for her original and revolutionary contribution to the genre. Her work—which combines crime fiction with elements of science fiction and a profound critical view of society—has made her one of the most respected authors on the Spanish literary scene.
Montero will also give a talk entitled “Dystopias for understanding the world” and will be one of the stars of the popular literary vermouth, alongside Marta Robles, Carmen Corazzini, Vicente Garrido, Sonia Valiente, Javier Alandes, Natalia Gisbert and Santiago Álvarez.
Other participants include familiar names from the literary and popular science circuit of the genre: criminologist Vicente Garrido, who will present his new novel Pasión por matar (Passion for Killing); Joaquín Camps, author of La oscuridad que habita en mí (The Darkness That Lives Within Me); and Laia Serna, who brings characters from the pages to life on stage.
Xàbia Negra 2025 programme: three days of crime and culture
Friday 7 November
Friday, 7 November will begin with the Xàbia Negra Express short film competition, which challenges participating teams to create an audiovisual piece in record time. At midday, the podcast ‘Crónicas de la rue Morgue’ (Chronicles of the Rue Morgue), presented by Ana Mendoza and Carmen Corazzini, will be recorded live from the Mercat Municipal.
In the afternoon, Joaquín Camps’ book club will open the literary agenda, followed by the talk Psicópatas de realidad y de ficción (Psychopaths in Reality and Fiction) with Camps and Corazzini themselves. The day will culminate with the presentation of the La Criminala Award to Rosa Montero and her subsequent lecture Distopías para entender el mundo (Dystopias to Understand the World).
📍 Plaça de l’Església
🕥 10:30 a.m. · Xàbia Negra Express short film competition (start and distribution of ballots)
📍 Municipal Market
🕛 12:00 p.m. · Live podcast ‘Crónicas de la rue Morgue’ with Ana Mendoza and Carmen Corazzini
📍 Library of the Historic Centre
🕠 5:30 p.m. · Book club with Joaquín Camps: The darkness that dwells within me
📍 House of Culture
🕖 7:00 p.m. · Talk: Psychopaths in reality and fiction, with Joaquín Camps and Carmen Corazzini
🕗 8:00 p.m. · Presentation of the 2025 La Criminala Award to Rosa Montero
🕗 8:10 p.m. · Talk: Dystopias to understand the world, with Rosa Montero
🕘 9:00 p.m. · Performance: Characters off the page, with Laia Serna
Saturday, 8 November
Saturday, 8 November will begin with a literary gathering in Valencian, where Natalia Gisbert will present Després del salt at the Casa del Cable. At midday, one of the most eagerly awaited moments will arrive: the literary vermouth at the Sotavent restaurant, a relaxed conversation between authors and the public. In the afternoon, the Casa de la Cultura will host the talks Adictos al misterio (Addicted to Mystery) with Javier Alandes and Sonia Valiente, and Thriller con valores (Thriller with Values) with Marta Robles.
📍 Casa del Cable
🕚 11:00 a.m. · Reading club in Valencian with Natalia Gisbert: Després del salt
📍 Sotavent Restaurant
🕛 12:00 p.m. · Literary vermouth with Rosa Montero, Marta Robles, Carmen Corazzini, Vicente Garrido, Sonia Valiente, Javier Alandes, Natalia Gisbert and Santiago Álvarez
🕐 1:00 p.m. · Book presentation: Pasión por matar (Passion for Killing), with Vicente Garrido
📍 Casa de la Cultura
🕖 7:00 p.m. · Talk: Addicted to Mystery, with Javier Alandes and Sonia Valiente
🕗 8:00 p.m. · Talk: Thriller with Values, with Marta Robles
Sunday, 9 November
Sunday, 9 November will kick off with the dramatised tour ‘Tragèdia mediterrània’ (Mediterranean Tragedy), inspired by the story of Úrsula Tachó, La Criminala, a tour of the historic centre that combines history, theatre and mystery. Next, the Battle of Writers will pit Robles, Corazzini, Alandes, Valiente and Álvarez against each other in a fun competition of narrative creativity. The festival will close with the awards ceremony for the literary and short film competitions at the Casa de la Cultura.
Throughout November, the libraries of Xàbia will also participate with a detective gymkhana, open to all audiences, which challenges participants to solve a mystery using their wits.
📍 Plaça de l’Església / Historic Centre
🕙 10:00 a.m. · Theatrical tour: Tragèdia mediterrània – La Criminala (in Valencian)
Free activity with prior registration
📍 Casa de la Cultura
🕛 12:00 p.m. · Writers’ battle: Marta Robles, Carmen Corazzini, Javier Alandes, Sonia Valiente and Santiago Álvarez
🕐 1:00 p.m. · Award ceremony for the short story competition (IES Antoni Llidó and IES La Mar)
🕐 1:15 p.m. · Screening and awards ceremony for the Xàbia Negra Express short film competition
Throughout November
📍 Xàbia Libraries
Detective gymkhana: solve a mystery as a team. Free activity for all ages.
The light of Xàbia, between shadows and enigmas
Between the blue of the sea and the narrow streets of the historic centre, Xàbia Negra 2025 invites you to experience a different kind of weekend, where literature and art are tinged with suspense. A space to enjoy, learn and immerse yourself in a universe where nothing is what it seems.
📅 Dates: 7 to 9 November 2025
📍 Locations: various venues in Xàbia (Casa de la Cultura, Mercat Municipal, Library, Casa del Cable, Plaça de l’Església, Sotavent Restaurant)
🔗 More information and full programme on the official Xàbia Negra social media accounts.
