With just five days to go, Loop One Festival is almost ready to take over Munich's Olympic Park. From meeting Olympic champions and trying biathlon for yourself to family activities, community runs and music, the programme offers plenty of ways to make the most of the weekend on 17–18 October.

Whether you're a lifelong biathlon fan, visiting with children or looking for a new sporting challenge, here's what not to miss.

Here for the heroes? Meet biathlon legends and give the sport a go.

If you want to get closer to some of biathlon's biggest names, head to the Home of Biathlon at Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz. Meet-and-greet sessions throughout the weekend will feature three Olympic champions: Norwegian biathlon superstar Johannes Thingnes Boe and German biathlon legends Denise Herrmann-Wick and Simon Schempp.

Another German biathlon icon, Franziska Preuss, who retired after last season, will be at the adidas booth, offering fans a chance to chat with one of Germany's leading biathletes. You can also learn more about para biathlon from German para biathlete Johanna Recktenwald and her guide, Emily Weiss.

And why stop at meeting the stars when you can test your own shooting skills? Biathlon4All activities will be spread across three locations in the Olympic Park, each featuring 10–15 shooting lanes. Try laser and optical rifle shooting in both prone and standing positions, with around 60 biathlon club experts from Bavaria on hand to help you get started. Alongside Boe and Herrmann-Wick, German biathlon stars Benedikt Doll and Michael Rösch will also take part in Biathlon4All activities over the weekend. How does your aim measure up against the pros?

Bringing the kids? A festival full of little adventures.

The dedicated Kids Area promises a full day of fun for the whole family. Kids can burn off some energy in Kids CrossFit, get moving alongside Denise Herrmann-Wick at Meet & Move sessions, or let their creativity run wild with face painting and airbrush tattoos. A bouncy castle and photo station offer even more ways to make memories along the way.

The fun continues with the Mini Disco by Moove Academy, where children can dance their hearts out, and Biathlon4All activities specially designed for younger participants. It's a chance to step into the world of biathlon, take aim and discover the thrill of shooting in a fun, welcoming setting.

Always up for a challenge? Push your limits.

If sport is as much a part of your lifestyle as watching it, the Side Quest Area is the place to head. Lace up your running shoes, put your skills to the test and explore new approaches to performance and recovery.

Saturday kicks off with the adidas Runners x LOOP ONE Community Run, led by Denise Herrmann-Wick. Afterwards, head to Biathlonrocks for its “Beat the Legends” challenges and open heats, where you can test yourself against HYROX stars Fabian Eisenlauer and Jana Lebenstedt. For those curious about the science behind sporting success, former biathlete and German national team coach Andreas Birnbacher will lead a talk on “High Performance. High Tech.” And when the day's racing winds down, a sundowner DJ set by Toby Romeo will keep the energy going.

Sunday shifts the focus to performance from the inside out. Michael Rösch will lead a “Reset your pace” breathwork session, followed by “Pressure, Performance & Mindfulness”, a talk exploring the mental side of sport.

Between sessions, explore mini games, follow a scavenger hunt or take a moment to recharge in the Mind Zone. Food and drinks will be available throughout the weekend.

Explore the Full Programme

Please note that the programme is subject to change.

Festival essentials

• When: Saturday, 17 October, 09:00–20:00; Sunday, 18 October, 08:00–18:00

• Where: Munich Olympic Park, Munich, Germany

• Entry: Access to the course and festival areas is free on both days.

• Tickets: Grandstand seats and standing places at the shooting range are ticketed. Get your tickets here.

Photos: Manzoni/IBU