1961 in Wales

This article is about the significance of the year 1961 to Wales and its people.

16 February – The , a loaded tanker barge bound for Sharpness from Swansea, turns over in the Severn Estuary. 17 February – The BP Explorer is seen bouncing upside down through the recently wrecked (October 26, 1960) Severn Railway Bridge. Her crew of five men are killed. 1 October – Tabernacle Chapel, Cardiff, hosts the first ever broadcast of the long running national BBC Television series Songs of Praise. 8 November – In a referendum on Sunday opening of public houses, the counties of Anglesey, Cardiganshire, Caernarfonshire, Carmarthenshire, Denbighshire, Merionethshire, Montgomeryshire and Pembrokeshire all vote to stay "dry". 9 November – Rosemarie Frankland, originally from Rhosllanerchrugog, wins the Miss World title. 19 November – During construction of the Severn Bridge three men fall into the river. A rescue boat crewed by two men sets sail from Chepstow, not knowing that the three men have been picked up safely by a ferry, the Severn Princess. Two empty tanker barges coming down from Sharpness collide with the rescue boat, which has no navigation lights. One member of the rescue boat crew is drowned. The Llyn Celyn reservoir is constructed in the valley of the River Tryweryn in North Wales to provide water for Liverpool, destroying the village of Capel Celyn. Gwynfor Evans becomes president of the Celtic League. Formation in Pontypridd of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼí Faith entirely of native Welsh Baháʼís.

Keith Baxter makes his Broadway debut as King Henry VIII in A Man for All Seasons.

7 April – The Independent Television Authority (ITA) invites bids for its west and north Wales licence. On 6 June, the franchise is awarded to the Wales Television Association. 20 June – The Postmaster General of the United Kingdom, Reginald Bevins, informs the Wales Television Association that approval has been given for an ITA transmitter in the Flint Denbigh area.