Nanosized particles with different Ho3+ concentrations were synthesized in LaAlO3 lattices using a simple Pechini-type sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction measurements were used to investigate the structural composition and the effects of holmium dopant concentration on LaAlO3:Ho3+ crystal formation. Field-emission scanning-electron microscopy images confirm the formation of approximately spherical particles with an average size about 100 nm. The photoluminescence results yielded optimal holmium ion concentration in LaAlO3 host matrices was about 3% in mol equivalent. The mechanism that are responsible for the photoluminescence emission processes discussed with the help of Ho3+-ion Dieke energy level diagram. Power dependent slope measurements were performed to identify up-conversion photoluminescence process involved in LaAlO3:Ho3+.