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Conferences & Events

Pasadena has two long-running public lecture series in space and science, both open to anyone. We list recurring series rather than single dates; the organisers’ pages have the current programme.

The von Kármán Lecture Series (JPL)

JPL’s Theodore von Kármán Lecture Series is aimed at JPL employees and the general public. Talks are given roughly once a month and cover the laboratory’s work, from Mars rovers and Earth-observing satellites to deep-space communication.

The Watson Lectures (Caltech)

Caltech’s Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series began in 1922 as the Friday Evening Demonstration Lectures. The lectures are free and open to the public and take place in the historic Beckman Auditorium on campus, usually about once a month during the academic year. Past lectures are on Caltech’s YouTube channel.

New Year’s Day

The city’s biggest yearly event is not scientific: the Rose Parade, held every 1 January since 1890. It is worth knowing about when planning a visit, as the city fills up around the New Year.

Sources

  1. NASA JPL, Lecture Series
  2. Caltech, The Watson Lectures
  3. Tournament of Roses, Rose Parade History

Sources checked on: 1 November 2026