The residents of Mexicali (Mexicalenses) call themselves "Cachanillas" (due to a local plant, the cachanilla, used by the Cucapah tribe to build shacks) and are from culturally diverse backgrounds, and it is among the most ethnically diverse cities in Mexico, with people from various Native American, European, African, (east) Asian, and Middle Eastern origins.
There is a very popular song called “Puro Cachanilla” also known as “El Cachanilla” that identifies people from Mexicali.
In 2004, there were 11 theaters in the city:
1. Teatro del Estado.
2. Teatro al Aire Libre del Centro Comunitario Estudiantil.
3. Teatro de Casa de Cultura de Mexicali. Idem.
4. Teatro del CREA
5. Teatro Universitario de Mexicali, it is mainly used for UABC ceremonies and occasionally for plays.
6. Teatro al Aire Libre de Rectoría
7. Teatro del Seguro Social that was inaugurated in the 1970s.
8. Teatro al aire libre del Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior CETYS unveiled on September 2006.
9. Teatro del Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior CETYS.
10. IMAX Teatro in The Sol del Niño Museum
11. Centro Estatal de las Artes with multiple theater and convention center
Mexicali also has the Baja Prog festival, a series of progressive rock concerts that take place during four consecutive days in springtime. It is hosted by CAST, a progressive rock band from Mexicali
