Mexico is brimming with cultural activities covering many disciplines of the performance arts. A great deal of the cultural activity taking place in the Mexico area is centered around Presser Performing Arts Center. The newly renovated and restored theater and auditorium have been the site for performances by the Missouri Contempary Ballet, Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Mexcio Area Community Theater Productions, as well as the Community Concert Series.

The Missouri Military Academy is the Home site of the Miss Missouri Pageant, a State-wide showcase of talent held annually in Mexico, Missouri as part of the Preliminaries to the national Miss America Competition.