OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 5, 2013) - The Canadian Museum of Nature's (CMN) upcoming season will literally shine bright with vibrant exhibitions and programs: the blockbuster Creatures of Light, the Nature Nocturne social events for adults, and a new series, Nature Talks, which is an engaging exploration of relevant natural science topics. All this and much more will be announced at the Museum's annual Chair's VIP Reception and Season Launch event on Wednesday, November 6.

The Chair's event also honours the 100^th anniversary of Canada's first fossil hall (now called the Talisman Energy Fossil Gallery). A star specimen in the gallery is the Edmontosaurus, which is the first dinosaur skeleton ever to be mounted for public display in Canada.

"2013 has been an exciting year for us, with the 100^th anniversary of the first Canadian scientific Arctic expedition, the 100^th anniversary of our fossil hall and the launch of the highly successful Nature Nocturne," says Meg Beckel, CEO and President of the Canadian Museum of Nature. "Visitors are experiencing the Museum in new ways and are amazed-more than ever before-with what they see. Our upcoming season is sure to dazzle the senses and fire the intellect."

Visitors to the Canadian Museum of Nature can look forward to the following new exhibitions and programs at the museum's historic Victoria Museum Building in downtown Ottawa:

- Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence, May 3 to November 9, 2014 - The first time in Canada, this brilliant exhibition is all about amazing organisms that produce their own light. It is organized by the American Museum of Natural History Museum in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature and The Field Museum in Chicago. The research of four CMN scientists is also featured in the show, through video.

- Nature Nocturne 2, Fall 2013 to May 2014 - This second edition of the extremely popular Friday night series for adults offers different themes at each event. Nocturners enjoy dancing, DJ music, live bands, artistic interactions, food, socializing, gallery visits and new discoveries.

- Nature Talks débuts January 15, 2014 with a renowned moderator, a distinguished scientific expert and an interactive audience to encourage dialogue and debate on some tantalizing natural science topics.

- X-rays of Arctic Fishes, January 11 to June 11, 2014 - This small yet stunning exhibition in the Stone Wall Gallery will reveal the beauty and complexity of the architecture of Arctic fishes.

Another significant celebration this season will be the five-day Arctic Fest in April, a new edition of the Extraordinary Arctic festival launched earlier in 2013. This exciting showcase of northern culture, geography and natural history will be again presented in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada.

Continuing until 2014:

- Farmers, Warriors, Builders: The Hidden Life of Ants, from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, is on view until January 5. Adventurer Mark W. Moffett captures the complex lifestyle of ants-how they hunt, communicate, and tackle agriculture in a collection of extraordinary macro images.

- Frogs: A Chorus of Colours, from Reptiland in Pennsylvania, continues until May 11. This impressive collection of live frogs, displayed in beautiful mini-habitats, captivates adults and kids alike.

Returning to the museum are two exquisite exhibitions developed with community partners:

- March 20-23, 2014 - Ikebana features the beautiful botanical creations of the Ottawa Centennial Chapter of Ikebana International. This annual show at the museum is now in its 24^th year.

- May 16 to Sept. 1, 2014 - Award-winning photos from Canadian Geographic's 2013 national photo contest will grace the museum's walls for the sixth edition of the Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year exhibition.

The Canadian Museum of Nature is located at 240 McLeod Street, Ottawa. Until June 1, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursday until 8 p.m. (Also open Mondays during holiday periods). From June 1 to Labour Day, the museum is open seven days a week. A surcharge applies for entry to the special exhibitions, Frogs and Creatures of Light. For details, including fees and hours, visit www.nature.ca. Follow the Museum on Twitter (@museumofnature) or become a fan on Facebook.