Miami doesn't roast chestnuts for Christmas. We prefer pork over an open fire.

Why it matters: The ubiquity of lechón, or roasted pork, on Miami dinner tables has led to a unique holiday tradition: the annual pig pardoning.

• Every year since 2018, the county mayor pardons two pigs bound for la caja china — or the roasting box.

The latest: Today, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava will pardon Glinda and Elphaba, two pigs with names inspired by the musical "Wicked," at Latin Cafe 2000 in Brickell.

The big picture: Roasting pork for Christmas and other holidays is a staple of Miami's Cuban community. 

• The tradition typically involves slow-cooking a whole pig (or a pork shoulder) in a caja china as family members gather around.
• Members of Miami's Haitian community also eat seasoned roast pork — griot — for Christmas.
• "Pretty much every culture here has their own take on holiday pork," Latin Cafe 2000 owner Eric Castellanos tells Axios.

What they're saying: Castellanos says the hallmarks of Christmas in Miami are cajas chinas and lit-up palm trees.

• "While the rest of the country is roasting turkeys, nearly every neighborhood here is filled with the smell of sazón, mojo and pork floating through the streets."

Stunning stat: At Latin Cafe 2000's three locations Castellanos says he serves up to 20,000 pounds of lechón every holiday season.

Catch up quick: Castellanos and his wife, Kali, came up with the pig-pardoning idea in 2018 after watching President Trump pardoning turkeys for Thanksgiving. 

• Then-county Mayor Carlos Giménez embraced the idea and became Miami's first official pig pardoner. 

What's next: Glinda and Elphaba will be moved to Bonanza Equestrian Center, where Castellanos says they will be "treated like royalty."

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Many Miami restaurants are offering holiday service for Christmas and New Year's. 

Here's a sampling:

Havana Harry's, the Cuban staple, is offering family-style dining, along with classics like vaca frita and Cubanos and the quintessential holiday cocktail, coquito. 

Bourbon Steak, the American steakhouse at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, features a choice of appetizer and entree, accompanied by a trio of truffle mac and cheese, potato purée and creamed spinach. 

• $250+ per adult, including dessert. 

Roa's at Loews Miami Beach Hotel has holiday specials, including the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. 

• On Christmas Day, enjoy pan-seared scallops, lasagna and Osso Bucco. Prices vary. 

Hell's Kitchen Miami, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's Brickell restaurant, will be serving a special holiday menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

• The prix fixe menu — featuring beef wellington, truffle risotto and more —  is $125 per person or $180 with a wine pairing. 
• Also: Veggie and select menu options.

Margot Bar & Bistro on South Beach is serving up a Christmas Day menu inspired by Chinese takeout classics. 

• Dishes include carne frita on guava and soy sauce, baby ribs on kimchi and a coquito cheesecake.
• Also: Live DJ, festive cocktails and natural wine

Keep reading: The World Famous egg roll

⚽ Inter Miami's first match and its home opener for the 2025 MLS regular season is set for Feb. 22. The regular season schedule was released yesterday. (MLS)

🎨 Lucky Energy Official collected trash during Art Basel and is now selling the pieces at ArtBaselTrash.com. The proceeds will be donated to a local Miami inner-city arts program. (Lucky Energy)

🏗️ Several Keys municipalities are expected to ask state officials to consider changing the law that governs the area's development capabilities. (WLRN)

• The chain of islands currently has one of the state's strictest building development systems.

Get into the holiday spirit with Christmas movies available to stream this month on Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Apple TV+, Prime Video and Max.

What we're watching: bona fide classics, new rom-coms and movies for the whole family.

The classics

"Miracle on 34th Street (1947)" on Paramount+, Disney+, Peacock and Hulu

"Home Alone" on Disney+

"Elf" on Max and Hulu

"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" on Hulu and Peacock

New holiday flicks

"Nutcrackers" on Hulu

• Ben Stiller stars in this heartwarming comedy about a big city businessman who unexpectedly has to care for his four orphaned nephews in rural Ohio.

"Our Little Secret" on Netflix

• Two exes are forced to spend Christmas together after discovering that their current partners are siblings in this rom-com starring Lindsay Lohan.

"Brewster's Millions: Christmas" on BET+

• Richard Pryor and John Candy's 1985 comedy is reimagined in this film.

More: Family-friendly movies

Martin and Sommer here, sending some Christmas cheer your way. 

• We're also here to debate real versus artificial Christmas trees.

Martin's take: I always loved real big Christmas trees, but we bought this fake fir a few years ago to avoid the hassle of brooming up after a real tree and figuring out how to dispose of it. 

• This 6-foot-tall tree is easy to install and looks like the real deal.
• Is it better for the environment? That's inconclusive.

Sommer's take: I'm a real tree-only kinda gal (sorry, Martin!). So the day after Thanksgiving, my parents came with me to pick one out.

• I wanted a 6-footer; they suggested otherwise. I ended up with a cute little 3-footer. 
• I propped her up on a stool, added lights and BAM, she's a cutie (and worth the brooming)!

What say you, dear readers? Email us your take.