A series of polycrystalline Sr1-1.5xHoxBi2Nb2O9 (SHoBNx) (x = 0.0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.3) samples were synthesized through solid-state reaction method, and their micro-structural, ferroelectric, dielectric and photoluminescence properties were carefully investigated. Significant enhancement of polarization and dielectric permittivity has been confirmed in SHoBNx system through ferroelectric and dielectric measurement. More importantly, the photoluminescence properties of SHoBNx system have also been explored for the first time. Sharp green emission band was observed and photoluminescence mechanism was simply discussed. It is believed that SHoBNx ferroelectric ceramics can also act as a potential blue exciting green light emission phosphor. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.