This year, the Easter long weekend falls on the last weekend of March. 

That's a bit earlier than the previous years — so you're not imagining things if the timing feels a bit off to you. 

Adding to the potential confusion for some Australians is the looming end of daylight saving time next weekend — specifically, on Sunday, April 7.

Here's a quick rundown of the timings this year and why they're different dates to last year. 

When is Easter 2024?

Easter is a multi-day religious event where Christians retell the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. 

But there are many different variations of the Christian faith.

And some of them celebrate Easter on different dates to others. 

Many Western Christian denominations — such as Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans — will celebrate Easter this weekend.

But the Greek Orthodox Easter weekend falls the first weekend of May this year. 

When are the Easter public holidays?

Australia's public holidays are mostly non-religious, but some are based on Christian religions. 

Generally, we get a long weekend over Easter, but the public holiday dates vary slightly depending on which state or territory you're in. 

ACT, NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria 

• March 29: Good Friday
• March 30: Easter Saturday (but in the ACT and Queensland, it's officially referred to as 'The day after Good Friday')
• March 31: Easter Sunday
• Monday, April 1: Easter Monday

Tasmania:

• Friday, March 29: Good Friday
• Monday, April 1: Easter Monday

There's also Easter Tuesday on April 2, but the Fair Work Ombudsman website says that's generally just for the state's public service workers. 

Western Australia:

• Friday, March 29: Good Friday
• Sunday, March 31: Easter Sunday
• Monday, April 1: Easter Monday

Source: Fair Work Ombudsman

When do people give out chocolate eggs?

That's really a personal preference — if you want to eat chocolate eggs all year long, that's your call to make. 

However, there is a tradition of giving out chocolate eggs over Easter.

And while it has religious roots, some people who don't observe the Christian faith also partake in it as more of a cultural custom. 

Typically, Easter eggs are given out on Easter Sunday. 

Because of the public holidays, the entire Easter long weekend is often treated as a time for families and friends to get together. 

Traditions vary from religion to religion, and customs can differ from family to family. 

But, generally speaking, Good Friday has a more sombre, austere tone and some feasts will centre around seafood as people abstain from red meat. 

Sunday is typically the key day for fun and festivities, with the day having a more celebratory, joyful tone. 

Why do the dates of Easter change each year?

Because it's determined by the movement of the Earth and Moon, instead of being on the same calendar date each year. 

Part of this variation in dates is because Easter is a multi-day festival tied to the days of the week. 

Christmas, which is another Christian celebration Australia marks with public holidays, is always on December 25 — no matter what day of the week it falls on. 

But Easter is different — it has Good Friday and Easter Sunday — so it can't be on the exact same date every year. 

This year, the public holiday for Easter Sunday is on March 31, but last year it was on April 9.

In 2022, Easter Sunday was on April 17.

And in 2021, Easter Sunday was on April 4

Many denominations choose the dates based on a decision by the Council of Nicaea way back in the year 325.

It says that Easter Sunday should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the Northern Hemisphere's spring equinox (or the Southern Hemisphere's autumn equinox).

But, again, that's not all Christian religions. 

When does daylight saving end in Australia?

This year, daylight saving time will end at 3am on Sunday, April 7 for states and territories that observe it.

Like Easter public holidays, daylight saving time changes don't happen on the same date each year. 

Instead, daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday of April each year — which means the dates can change. 

So, last year, it was on April 2. 

Are the clocks going backwards or forwards?

Clocks in states observing daylight saving will be moved back by an hour.

So if you're in a daylight-saving state or territory, that could mean an extra hour's sleep-in.

Which states and territories have daylight saving time?