Strontium-substituted $Sr_{1-x}Ba_xAl_2O_4:Eu^{2+},;Dy^{3+}$ compositions were prepared by the solid state synthesis method. These compositions were characterized for their phase, crystallinity and morphology using powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Photoluminescence properties were investigated by measuring excitation spectra, emission spectra and decay time for varying Ba/Sr concentrations. Photoluminescence results show higher luminescence and long decay time for $Sr_{1-x}Ba_xAl_2O_4:Eu^{2+},;Dy^{3+}$(x=0). This is probably due to the influence of the 5d electron states of $Eu^{2+}$ in the crystal field. Long persistence was observed for these compositions due to $Dy^{3+}$ co-doping.