The luminescent properties of Mn-activated CdCl 2 , CdBr 2 , CdI 2 , and CaI 2 crystals are studied in the range 4.2-200 K. The photo-and roentgenoluminescence spectra of the crystals show red emission bands due to the Mn activator. The excitation spectra and Mn luminescence kinetics are interpreted in terms of the crystal-field theory with consideration for electron paramagnetic resonance data. The red luminescence of the crystals at 4.2 K is attributed to the 4 T 1 g ( 4 G ) 6 A 1 g ( 6 S ) electron-phonon transitions of Mn 2+ . The Racah parameters B and C are determined. The origin of the 600-nm luminescence in CdBr 2 :Mn 2+ under excitation with a nitrogen laser and xenon lamp at 320-360 nm in the range 4.2-90 K is discussed.