Dy 3+ and Dy 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped barium fluoroborate glasses have been synthesized and their luminescence properties have been monitored under UV (355nm) and NIR (976nm) excitations, respectively. Absorption spectra of the two samples were recorded and Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters and other radiative parameters were calculated and compared. Dy 3+ doped sample yields strong yellowish white emission under 355nm excitation. No emission is observed with 976nm excitation. The Dy 3+ /Yb 3+ ions co-doped sample on the other hand gives weak upconversion emission in blue, yellow and red regions on 976nm excitation via energy transfer process from Yb 3+ to Dy 3+ ions from other level. An involvement of three photons has been noted for these emissions. Decay curve for different transitions of these samples have also been recorded and the lifetime of the corresponding levels involved are calculated.