Saint Nicholas 2025
Jonny Liss

This year, we are honored to appoint Jonny Liss as our 2025 Saint Nicholas. A longtime contributor to our Mardi Gras community and co-founder of an innovative local institution, Jonny embodies the creativity, accessibility and sustainability that define the spirit of the parade.

Jonny’s journey began in marketing—with early roles in New York’s beauty industry at brands like Revlon, L’Oréal and Aveda—before he spent more than three decades in global marketing, sales and events.

In New Orleans he partnered alongside Chad Smith to launch JAMNOLA (“Joy-Art-Music/New Orleans”), a vibrant, immersive arts and culture experience that celebrates local artists, music, and the joyful exchange of ideas.

Beyond his leadership in arts, Jonny’s commitment to sustainability and community shines through his work in fostering culture-forward experiences and his dedication to New Orleans’ creative ecosystem. Along with his partner Chad, Jonny was a member of our krewe in earlier years and played an integral role in the inaugural year of the Barbegazi troupe—bringing that same playful, spirited energy to our parade.

Now, as Saint Nicholas, Jonny will serve as our ambassador of joy and service for #NOLAuf25—guiding us on December 6 not only through the fun and pageantry, but also through our mission to uplift creativity, accessibility, sustainability and community in New Orleans. Please join us in welcoming him to the role.

Jonny Liss
Co-Founder, JAMNOLA

“New Orleans has shaped my life in ways that continue to surprise and inspire me. Being invited to serve as Saint Nicholas for the NOLAuf gives me the chance to give back to the artists, culture-bearers and joyful mischief-makers who define this city. It is truly meaningful to join a krewe that champions creativity, sustainability and the beautifully unconventional spirit that makes New Orleans unlike anywhere else in the world.”

JAMNOLA, an acronym for Joy • Art • Music • New Orleans, is an immersive cultural experience dedicated to celebrating the city’s imagination, humor and creative resilience. Just off Frenchmen Street, it leads visitors through a vibrant series of interactive rooms designed by more than 100 local artists, each one offering a playful, heartfelt interpretation of New Orleans’ artistic identity.

Through its installations, JAMNOLA uplifts the stories and traditions that shape the city, from its music and foodways to its folklore, parading culture and deep love of spectacle. The experience champions local creators, sustainable creative practices and the joyful expression that defines life in New Orleans.

These values naturally align with the Krewe of Krampus and the spirit of NOLAuf. Both celebrate community-driven creativity, honor local artists and storytellers, and elevate traditions in ways that are fun, accessible and environmentally mindful. JAMNOLA’s commitment to showcasing authentic New Orleans culture mirrors the Krewe’s mission to parade with purpose, making the connection between the two a fitting backdrop for this year’s Saint Nicholas.