Semana Negra — the Black Week — is Gijón's summer crime fiction festival, held for ten days in July on the waterfront by the harbour. Founded in 1988 by the Spanish crime writer Paco Ignacio Taibo II, it has grown into one of the larger literary events in Spain: talks, signings, panel discussions, and readings from Spanish and international crime and thriller writers, set against a large outdoor fairground complete with fairground rides, food stalls, and a beer tent that keeps the whole thing firmly on the side of popular rather than elite culture. The literary events and the fairground coexist with cheerful incongruity.
International guests have included writers from across Latin America and Europe, reflecting the strong tradition of politically engaged crime fiction in the Spanish-speaking world. The festival has a left-wing, working-class character that fits Gijón's industrial identity — crime fiction here is treated as a vehicle for social criticism rather than escapism. Admission to the festival grounds and most events is free; specific signings or talks may require advance tickets. The location on the harbour waterfront means the event has a good physical setting, and Gijón's summer temperatures (mild by Spanish standards, rarely above 25°C) make evening attendance comfortable.