If you have no choice to go, maybe bring your phone, pretend you have a call, and excuse yourself and weather allowing, and if it’s safe, go outside and look at your phone or call a friend “for real” to catch up. Or attempt conversations with a few people who seem nice, and if you already know a few people and know you like talking to them, visit with them awhile. For me I like structured activities such as playing Bunco, scrabble or Yahtzee since it gives you something fun to do, and don’t have to worry about endless small talk, or worry about what to say next.