This study reports on the photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence behavior of combustion synthesized CaMoO4: Ho3+ phosphor. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of single phase tetragonal structure consisting of well-prepared evenly distributed micro-sized grains. Power tunable visible upconversion and infrared emissions were detected upon excitation with a 980 nm diode laser. Consequently, near white and dominant green emissions resulted from the synthesized phosphor induced by the ultraviolet and blue photons at 262 nm and 455 nm wavelengths, respectively. The electron beam irradiation produced the same emissive behavior as for the photoluminescence but degradation of the cathodoluminescence intensity was found with prolonged irradiation time. The chemical stability under prolonged electron bombardment was also tested with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The observed emission characteristics are explained in detail. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.