Marina Zurkow, Elixir II, 2009, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Gary Wolkowitz

With the end of the year approaching, museums are mostly holding new exhibits until the upcoming year, but many are offering holiday festivities. But keep in mind if you’re entertaining relatives in town this month: the Smithsonian museums are closed on December 25.

>> Here’s a fascinating look into the past. A Gateway to the 19th Century: The William Steinway Diary, 1861-1896 showcases the piano-innovator’s extensive diary documenting the beginning days of the Civil War, his involvement in the development of both the New York City subway and the company town of Steinway in western Queens, N.Y. Opening December 17 at the American History Museum.

>> The past 50 years of video art has been an innovative time, as the form quickly progressed with the invention of the micro chip, CGI and video games. The American Art Museum gives credit to this relatively nascent form of art with a new permanent exhibit: Watch This! New Directions in the Art of the Moving Image, opening December 10. The collection highlights video and time-based artwork that examines the history of, as well as the latest cutting-edge developments in the art of the moving image.

>> New in the Black Box Theater at the Hirshhorn, Staging Silence by Hans Op de Beeck opens December 6. The film explores the real and surreal and slapstick and film noir themes.

>> Seasons: Chinese Landscapes, opening at the Freer, will explore the seasonal themes and activities that frequently appear in Chinese painting such as wandering in nature, visiting friends and composing poetry. The exhibit will highlight the importance of the cycle of seasons in East Asian culture and the prevalence of seasonal themes in art, literature and social customs. Opens December 18.