1873 in Wales

Centuries:	17th; 18th; 19th; 20th; 21st;
Decades:	1850s; 1860s; 1870s; 1880s; 1890s;
See also:	List of years in Wales; 1873 in The United Kingdom Ireland Scotland

This article is about the particular significance of the year 1873 to Wales and its people.

Incumbents

1 March — The sailing ship Chacabuco sinks off the Great Orme with the loss of 24 lives.
9 October — The first recorded sheepdog trial in the UK takes place at Bala.
2 December — In a mining accident at Hafod Colliery, Rhiwabon, five men are killed.
Construction of the Holyhead breakwater (the longest in the world) is completed after 28 years.
Work begins on the Severn tunnel.
The Glyn Valley Tramway opens, carrying slate from Glyn Ceiriog to Chirk.
Construction of the Morriston Tabernacle chapel, the biggest in Wales at the time.
Construction of lighthouse on Ynys Llanddwyn.

December — Major Walter Wingfield of Nantclwyd Hall at Llanelidan designs a game for the amusement of his visitors. Wingfield soon patents nets for the game of lawn tennis, which he calls "sphairistike".

7 January — Christopher Williams, Welsh artist (died 1934)
16 January — Ivor Guest, 1st Viscount Wimborne, politician (died 1939)
7 April
- John Dyfnallt Owen, poet and Archdruid (died 1956)
- Charles Butt Stanton, politician (died 1946)
23 April — Sir Robert Thomas, 1st Baronet, politician (died 1951)
1 May — Harry Evans, musician (died 1914)
2 June — Anna Eliza Williams, supercentenarian (died 1987)
5 June — Ben Davies, Wales international rugby player (died 1930)
date unknown — Arthur Tysilio Johnson ("The Perfidious Welshman") (died 1956)