InterContinental Dhaka has brought back its Great Hilsha Festival for 2026, with the culinary event featuring a range of traditional and contemporary preparations of hilsha, Bangladesh’s national fish.

The festival, powered by Bangladeshi publishing house Nymphea Publication, is being held at Elements Global Dining at InterContinental Dhaka from September 9 to 19.

Nymphea Publication, which promotes Bangladesh’s history, culture, arts, literature and heritage to national and international audiences, is the festival’s partner.

The festival was inaugurated on September 9 at InterContinental Dhaka. The inauguration was attended by Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, managing director of Bangladesh Services Ltd; David O’Hanlon, general manager of InterContinental Dhaka; Karunangshu Barua, publisher of Nymphea Publication; Professor Shamsad Mortuza, vice chancellor of University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh; Golam Iftekhar Mahmud, editor and publisher of Dhaka Stream; Ziaul Karim, head of brand, marketing and communications at Eastern Bank PLC; artist Anisuzzaman Sohel, executive creative director of Nymphea Publication; Olivier Loreaux, director of food and beverage at InterContinental Dhaka; Julean Sitol Botlero, executive chef at InterContinental Dhaka; and Saadman Salahuddin, director of marketing at InterContinental Dhaka.

Hotel officials and members of the media also attended the ceremony.

During the inauguration, Nymphea Publication launched A Fish Called Ilish, a publication dedicated to the fish and its cultural and culinary significance.

The festival’s dinner buffet features a selection of hilsha preparations, including Ilish Pulao, Shorisha Ilish, Ilish Do Piaza, Ilish Paturi, Ilish Narikel Korma, Ilish Tandoori, Ilish Muri Ghonto, Ilish Bhorta and Smoked Ilish Nigiri, along with other signature hilsha dishes.

The menu also includes a selection of other Bangladeshi dishes, such as Mutton Kacchi Biryani, Beef Kala Bhuna, Mezbaani Beef and Mutton Nihari. Assorted bhortas, including loitta shutki, as well as other signature dishes and desserts, are also part of the buffet.

Live music will be performed every evening during the festival.

The buffet dinner is available from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm throughout the festival and is priced at BDT 11,000 net per person.

Guests paying with selected bank cards can avail themselves of a Buy One Get Three (B1G3) offer, according to the hotel.

Those unable to use the participating bank-card offers can join the IHG One Rewards programme and receive a 25% discount on food and beverage at InterContinental Dhaka and participating IHG Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide, the hotel said.

The festival is being positioned as a celebration of hilsha and Bangladesh’s culinary heritage, combining traditional hilsha dishes with other popular Bangladeshi cuisine.