The near UV and visible emissions of Ho³⁺ in YAP and YAG are investigated after selective one photon pumping of the ³D₃ and ⁵S₂ manifolds. The fluorescence decays of Ho³⁺ ions after pulsed excitation are measured as a function of temperature and holmium concentration. The shortening and non-exponentiality of the decays, observed with increasing activator concentrations, are indications of cross-relaxation (CR) among the Ho³⁺ ions. The CR schemes are proposed for both emitting ³D₃ and ⁵S₂ manifolds and the values for the transfer rates are experimentally determined and compared to the Inokuti–Hirayama theory. Mechanisms responsible for the temperature quenching are studied.