Marching wooden soldiers and dancing sugar plum fairies abounded in New York City this year as the number of The Nutcracker productions leapt 17% to 27 from 2012.

The number of productions, including classic and twists on the original, has surged 69% since 2010, according to New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs. Staging of the tale featuring Clara and her prince are ubiquitous during the Christmas season for the same reason retailers offer discounted sweaters: they bring in a big chunk of annual sales.

A production of The Nutcracker can bring in anywhere from 40% to 45% of a ballet company's revenue, experts said. People flock to see The Nutcracker because it is as much a part of the Christmas tradition as Santa Claus, appealing even to those who aren't ballet fans but know the story and Tchaikovsky score.

"It sells triple the amount of tickets of other productions," said Erin Fogarty, director of programming at the Manhattan Youth Ballet. "It creates a financial cushion because it sells so well."

The dance is so popular that this year Manhattan Youth Ballet staged eight performances—up from six in 2012—of its version of The Nutcracker. Called The Knickerbocker Suite, it is an hour-long production featuring New York City landmarks. Ms. Fogarty said that it may stage 10 performances next year.

The Gelsey Kirkland Ballet inaugurated the company by staging a production of The Nutcracker.

"Every dancer wants to dance The Nutcracker," said Andrea Miller, executive director of the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet. The ballet company is an outgrowth of the academy started by its namesake famous ballerina, Gelsey Kirkland, who once danced the part of Clara opposite Mikhail Baryshnikov.

"The Nutcracker is like Christmas Carols, we sing the same ones every year," said Ms. Miller. "People want to see The Nutcracker."

Ms. Miller said the tickets for the five performances sold briskly, and that the most expensive ticket cost $55. She said the company would revive the production next year, especially since it has made such an investment in costumes and sets.

Tickets for Manhattan Youth's production range from $25 to $30, making them more affordable than other renditions. The top ticket for the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker production—a lavish extravaganza featuring a Christmas tree that grows on stage—cost $254, according to a box office clerk. The lowest price was $29.

Ms. Fogarty said that while New York City Ballet's version was certainly the most famous, there is room for variations especially in such a big city with so many tourists.

"We bring a lower scale, lower budget, lower-price point option," she said.