to not go to Christmas party

[Clothrabbit]

An email went around work last week, announcing that our Christmas party would be taking place in a pub in town, finger food, a dance floor and band playing from 10pm. We had to reply by Monday evening so the organisers would know the numbers.

It's not really my type of thing so I sent back a polite email saying that unfortunately it clashed with another event so I wouldn't be attending.
A few other people declined as well, but a reasonable sized number are going.

However, a few people are going around saying that the organisers go to a lot of trouble and it's very mean of staff to not support the event. We have to pay for ourselves, which isn't a problem if it's something I'd enjoy, but loud music and dancing aren't my thing. I'm being made to feel guilty, though, and am wondering AIBU to not just suck it up for the evening and show willing? I really don't want to. Between drinks and food and a taxi home it won't be cheap, and I'll spend the whole day dreading it.

Mine is all free, with taxi to and from the venue paid for. Not everyone goes but if you don’t like dancing there are other rooms for drinks etc. It’s a big company so there’s no pressure, probably better they get some saying no otherwise we can’t all fit!
Is it a department ‘do’ if you have to pay yourself?

I am arranging our Christmas do this year, according to parameters fixed by the boss. So I got information on 10 different restaurants and everybody votes and the one with the most votes is the one that is booked. Unfortunately the place with the most votes is somewhere I don't like the food so I won't be going. 😢 There will be a fairly late lunch and then those who want to will go on and get thoroughly bladdered. I wouldn't have done that anyway. In the last 5 years I have gone to 2 Christmas events.