The up-conversion (UC) luminescent properties of rare earth broaden the development of photocatalsyts. Rare earth elements and up-conversion agents all could promote the photocatalytic activity and research value by broadening the light response from infrared to violet irradiation in the field of photocatalytic technology. This paper reviewed the research progress of the rare earth up-conversion luminescent photocatalysts. Er, Yb, Tm, Ho and Tb are the main elements which have properties of up-conversion luminescence, of which Yb is usually taken as the sensitizing agent while Er is the most widely studied because of its efficient and green luminescent properties. According to their different structures, rare earth up-conversion agents are classified into three categories: rare earth fluoride, rare earth oxyhalide, and rare earth oxides or composite oxides. NaYF4 was studied widely because of its outstanding properties. Although the excellent properties of rare earth UC materials, there still exists some drawbacks, especially the low quantum efficiency of UC materials, which greatly limits the photocatalytic activities. Therefore, the rare earth UC photocatalysts need further construction and research. This paper intends to provide some inspiration and help for the researches in the area of full spectrum photocatlaysts.