The invention relates to a field emission illumination light source, which comprises a hollow tubular shell, an anode, a cathode and a lamp cap, wherein one end of the shell is connected with the lamp cap, the anode is arranged in a side wall of the shell, the cathode and the anode are both adaptive to the shape of the side wall of the shell, the cathode is fixed on the lamp cap and is opposite to the anode, and the cathode is provided with a plurality of light holes. In the field emission illumination light source, the shell has the same shape as that of a cathode substrate, the anode is coated on the side wall of the shell, and the cathode is provided with the light holes, so a light emitting area is enlarged, visible light penetrates through the light holes to effectively improve the light emitting effect, and after voltage is applied, the cathode substrate forms an emission source, and emitted electrons impact the anode to emit visible light so as to obtain higher light emitting efficiency. The characteristics of low working voltage, low power consumption and stable emission are realized.