Mangalore is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual city that speaks four local languages Tulu, Konkani, Kannada and Beary apart from Hindi, Urdu and English. A resident of Mangalore is known as a Mangalorean in English, Kudladaru in Tulu, Kodialgharano in Catholic Konkani, Kodialchi or Manglurchi in GSB Konkani and Manglurnavaru in Kannada. The Srimanthi Bai Museum is located at Bejai, and is the only museum of Mangalore. The Bibliophile’s Paradise, a hi-tech public library run by the Corporation Bank is located at Mannagudda. The Mangala Stadium in Mangalore is the only full-fledged stadium in Dakshina Kannada.

The Yakshagana is a night-long dance and drama performance, unique to Karnataka, attracting thousands of people, is practiced in Mangalore with great fanfare. Hulivesha (Tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in Mangalore that fascinates the young and the old alike. Since tiger is considered as the favoured carrier of Goddess Sharada (the deity in whose honor Dussera is celebrated), this dance is performed during the Dussera celebration. It is also performed during other festivals like Krishna Janmasthami. Karadi Vesha (Bear Dance) is one more popular dance performed during Dussera in Mangalore. Bhuta Kola or spirit worship is practised here. Bhuta Kola is usually done at night. Kambala or buffalo race is also conducted in water filled paddy fields. Korikatta (Cockfight) is another favorite sport for village people.

Nagaradhane or Snake worship is also practiced in Mangalore according to the popular belief of the Naga Devatha to go underground and guard the species that lived on the top. Pad’danas (Oral Epics) are ballad-like folk epics narrated in Tulu, which are handed over to the next generation by the present generation through oral traditions is a unique practise in Mangalore. The Beary communities have their own ghazals and songs in their native Beary language. Some of the Beary songs are kolkai (sung during the play of kolata), unjal pat (sung while putting a child to cradle), moilanji pat and oppune pat (sung at weddings). The Eucharistic Procession (Evkaristic Purshanv in Konkani) is an annual Catholic religious procession led on the first Sunday of the New Year of the Gregorian calendar. In 2006, the Tulu film festival was also organized in Mangalore.

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated every year by erecting statues, worshipping them and immersing them in water bodies after some days. Kodial Theru or Mangaluru Rathotsava (Mangalore Car Festival) is one of the major festivals for the Konkani GSB community. It is the Car festival of the Sri Venkatramana Temple. Monti Fest is one of the major festivals of the Mangalorean Catholic community, celebrating the Nativity feast and the blessing of new crops or Novem. The Jain Milan, a committee comprising Jain families residing in Mangalore, organise the Jain Food Festival annually with a magnanimous view to bring together all members of the Jain community. People of all faiths participate in the Mosaru Kudike, a part of the celebrations to mark the Krishna Janmashtami festival. Annual festivals are promoted during summer each year. This has been used to promote camaraderie and has been called as Karavali Utsav, Kudlostava to promote the local cultural events.

Hinduism is followed by large number of the population. Among the indigenous Hindus, the Mogaveeras, Billavas and Bunts form the largest groups. Kota brahmins, Shivalli Brahmins, Havyaka Brahmins, GSBs (Goud Saraswat Brahmins), Daivajna brahmins and Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins also form a considerable portion of the Hindu population. Besides the Hindu pantheon of gods, divine spirits are also worshipped here. A significant part of the population of Mangalore consists of followers of Christianity. Konkani-speaking Catholics and Born Again Christians are the highest in number among the Christians, popularly known as Mangalorean Catholics. The Protestants consist of people speaking Kannada. Muslims constitute minority of the population, among them Beary form the 80% of total Muslim population and speak their own dialect called Beary bashe. There is also sizeable group of people who were basically land owners, following Jainism. Buddhism also flourished here in the early centuries.

Mangalorean cuisine is largely influenced by South Indian cuisine. Mangalorean curry uses a lot of coconut and curry leaves. Ginger, garlic and chili is also used in curry. Mangalorean fish curry is known for its taste in the whole of coastal Karnataka. Dishes of the Tulu community include Kori Rotti, Bangude Pulimunchi, Beeja-Manoli Upkari, Neer dosa, Boothai Gasi, Kadubu, and Patrode. The Konkani community has its specialities that include Daali thoy, beebe-upkari (cashew based), val val, avnas ambe sasam, Kadgi chakko. Sanna-Dukra Maas (Sanna – idli fluffed with toddy or yeast; Dukra Maas – Pork) is a well-known dish of the Mangalorean Catholic community.
The Mutton Biryani of the Muslims of Mangalore is a gourmet’s all-time favourite. Assortments of pickles are unique to Mangalore, such as happala, sandige and puli munchi. Shendi (toddy), a country liquor prepared from the coconut flower’s sap is a famed liquor in Mangalore.[45] The vegetarian cuisine is same as Udupi cuisine. Since Mangalore is a coastal town, Fish forms the staple diet of most people.