Kanhangad is known for the unique Theyyam festivals of North Malabar. It also has various folklore art forms like Poorakkali and Maruthukali,a kind of literary debate between two scholars conducted in accordance with Poorakkali. It is rich with temples which host Theyyam festival every year. Most of the rituals and culture has its roots and connection with agriculture. Ottakkolam and Kalasham are the most prominent temple festivals and Kaliyattam being the most important Theyyam festival where a series of different Theyyams. will be performing for consecutive days.

Kanhangad has one of the Art galleries of Kerala Lalithakala Akademi which has been a platform for showcasing the art of various artists.

The cuisine of Kanhangad is the same as the rest of Kerala but Kanhangad being a part of the North Malabar and lies in Kasaragod district, which is often called as land of 7 languages; has a cuisine which evolved with a blend of the culture of people who migrated here. Rice is the common and staple diet of the people. Being a coastal area, there are a variety of fish dishes too. During the Summer season, there is a festival of Jackfruit dishes which is a very common tree in the region.

The unique dishes here include "Kanal Ada" which is made of stuffed jaggery and coconut in rice and roasted instead of the typical steam cooking style in Kerala; which is usually prepared as a part of a ritual called Kaidu or as an offering to the Theyyams or the main deity (Of Family or Kuladaivam) in Tharavadu.

The Malabar Biryani which is common throughout the Malabar region also has its tastes here. There are also drinks like Avil Milk which is basically a squashed banana drink with peanuts and Kulukki sarbat, a unique kind of Mocktail in the region.

Kanhangad experiences a Tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classification. The southwest monsoon begins towards the end of May, or the beginning of June, brought about by the monsoon clouds from the Arabian Sea heralded by thunderstorms, and lasts till September. October brings in the northeast monsoon typically begins with drizzling and later with heavy rainfall. Dry weather sets in by the end of December which brings the Winter. January and February are the coolest months of the year. March marks the beginning of Summer apparently April and May being very hot.