It's that time of year - the sugar plum fairies are running rampant, the mice are dancing, snowflakes leaping, little toy soldiers marching in rhythm, and Tchaikovsky's sumptuous score is working its indelible magic. While there are various nuts to crack all around New York this December, here are a handful of the best.

New York City Ballet
Originally choreographed in 1954, George Balanchine's brilliant and affectionate version remains the standard-bearer. It’s been staged by the NYCB a whopping 45 times, and one of the high points of this production is the giant Christmas tree which grows to a full height of 41 feet (the legendary choreographer insisted on three-dimensional tree rather than painted canvas). Through January 5.
New York State Theater, Lincoln Center; (212-870-5570) $18-$90.

The Hard Nut, by the Mark Morris Dance Group
In dancer-choreographer Mark Morris’s decidedly non-traditionalist ‘cracker, set in the 60's America, a dancing Barbie doll, a robot, and G.I. Joes all make appearances. There’s also a rowdy party scene in which fights erupt among guests and Morris himself dons sideburns and bell-bottoms. Still, the intent here is not to mock the familiar ballet but to cast it in a new light, and it remains faithful to Tchaikovsky's original score while adding a new flavor to the holiday classic. December 17-22.
Brooklyn Academy of Music (212-307-4100); $25-$60.

New York Theatre Ballet
New York Theatre Ballet's intimate and enchanting one-hour abridgement is the perfect ballet primer for the youngest set. With stilt-walker and juggler.
December 21-22 at 11am, 1pm, and 3:30pm.
Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St. (212-355-6160); $25 adults, $20 children 12 and younger.

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
The Moscow Ballet makes a stop in Brooklyn as part of its 10th anniversary tour, and promises a visually lavish approach. These include sets and costumes inspired by French artist Henri Rousseau, and making a second-act appearance: 10-foot tall puppets playing Russian folkloric instruments. Sunday, December 22 at 2pm.
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, Flatbush and Nostrand avenues, Brooklyn (718-951-4600); $30, $35.

Eglevsky Ballet: The Nutcracker
Long Islanders take note! The Island's prestigious ballet company brings its annual extravaganza to the Tilles Center with the internationally renowned dancers Valentina Kozlova and Ben Huys. They head a professional cast of dancers that is augmented by a children’s cast of 62 of some of Long Island’s most talented young dancers. December 21 and 22 at 2pm & 7pm; December 26 at 2pm.
C.W. Post Campus, Long Island University; Brookville, NY (516-299-3100); $25, $35 and $45.

On a Related Programming Note:
Soundcheck looks at New York-area Nutcrackers in In a Nutshell